Plunet launched the latest version of its leading business management system two years ago. The most recent major release of version 8 focused on improved resource assignment management, simplified access to more information, increased efficiency, and Plunet’s shortened release cycles.
Before we dive into the new major release, let’s take a look at the highlights of version 8:
- The new assignment process
- The VendorSearchManager PRO Module
- CAT integrations
- Release cycles
1. The new assignment process
Version 8 introduced significant changes in the job assignment process. The new assignment process is much more intuitive and gives project managers easier access to vendors’ information, allowing them to concentrate on more critical tasks. The Assignment tab has been enhanced to display all the information required to assign the best resource to a job. Project managers now have an overview of the resources that best match the selection criteria, their calendars and workload. Matching resources are sorted according to customizable criteria and their reaction time to job requests or job offers can be defined separately for each job.
To determine the most suitable resources for a job, the project manager can use properties as selection criteria or other criteria like User type, Resource status, User account, or Agency. The Selection criteria are available in the Assignment tab and can be specified for each assignment round to narrow down the best vendor for a job. All criteria can also be pre-defined in workflow templates and displayed per job type in order to further speed up the assignment process.
After filtering the resources based on the preferred Selection criteria, project managers can determine how they want to rank the vendors. The Ranking criteria allow project managers to sort matching vendors according to elements such as Resource assessment, No. of jobs for customers, Job feedback, Prices, Profit margin, and No. of jobs for a specific job type. This means that resources can be selected based on the required criteria and then ranked based on additional specifications in order to find the most suitable resource for a job.
Within the new Assignment tab, project managers can choose between different Assignment methods to assign a job to a vendor. A job can be assigned automatically using the Top ranked or FCFS (first come, first serve) method. By using the new Top ranked assignment method, the most important ranking criteria can be prioritized and sorted with the aim of sending a request to your qualified resources based on those ranking criteria. After sending a job request to your top-ranked resources, the top-ranked resource that accepts the request within a specified reaction time is immediately assigned to the job. This assignment method automates the assignment of the right vendors for a job based on ranking criteria. The FCFS method also allows project managers to automate the assignment process. However, with this method, the first vendor to accept the job can start working on the assignment immediately. These two assignment methods both save project managers valuable time and reduce the number of clicks, besides making the process much more intuitive. Nevertheless, project managers retain the ability to manually assign resources to a job immediately with the Manual assignment method.
The resource calendar is displayed in the Assignment tab, and project managers can easily check and compare the availability and capacity of matching resources. The new traffic light indicators implemented in version 8 offer an instant overview of the resources availability by displaying a green, yellow or red light in the calendar view or result list. Project managers can therefore plan more accurately and consequently, send job requests in line with the resource’s availability.
2. The VendorSearchManager PRO Module
Another highlight of version 8 is the new add-on module VendorSearchManager PRO, which enables cascading job requests with automatic job rounds. This module ties in with the new assignment process and enhances the assignment process even further. By pre-defining multiple automatic assignment rounds, project managers can send out job requests automatically and thus gain more planning security and control over the entire assignment management process. Based on the Selection criteria, Ranking criteria, and Assignment method, Plunet sends a request to suitable resources round by round. This cascading selection process ensures that job requests are sent individually to the preferred resources with minimum manual effort and without sending requests simultaneously to a large number of vendors. Language and translation services providers achieve greater control over the assignments by sending job requests in a more targeted, efficient manner.
3. CAT integrations
With Plunet, language service providers can seamlessly connect the BusinessManager to all leading CAT tools. The dynamic CAT interfaces provide full integration and automation of key translation project management functions, helping reduce redundant tasks and eliminate unnecessary costs. Version 8 introduced some great new Memsource and Trados GroupShare integration features, contributing to higher and more consistent quality standards.
Plunet’s new Memsource features allow customers to keep track of quotes and corresponding orders in one Memsource project, support LSP vendors with multiple contact persons and delete existing Memsource projects via the dynamic integration. Dynamic integrations allow project managers to work entirely in Plunet without having to switch platforms, reduce errors and increase operational efficiency in day-to-day translation management.
With Plunet’s new automation features for Trados GroupShare, our customers can automatically move files to a different phase, finalize files and change the project status in Trados GroupShare. These features help project managers automate their processes to a greater extent and gain better control over all workflows in Plunet without having to log into Trados GroupShare.
4. Release cycles
The last major release also focused on shortening release cycles at Plunet. This results in more flexibility, faster solutions and quicker fixes of urgent bugs. The three different Plunet releases (major, minor, and patch versions) ensure that our users have prompt access to the latest information on Plunet modifications.
Major Releases contain significant changes made to existing functionalities and updates for ongoing integrations of third-party systems. These releases take place once or twice a year. Monthly Minor Releases include various smaller bug fixes and new features that our users can implement quickly and without big effort. A Patch Release comprises exclusively urgent bug fixes and is released as soon as the bugs have been fixed.
Users can therefore benefit immediately from new improvements and developments to their Plunet system which will help achieve a higher level of productivity and profitability.
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