I am also searching for "authoring memory" software. We have
about 150K words in our help docs that could probably be revised to
under 100K by standardizing, simplifying, and reusing our English
(source) text. If we did that, we would save at least $50K in
localization costs (we translate into four languages), not
including the benefits to our customers.
An authoring memory system uses a database of your user docs,
and as you type or edit your document (such as a RoboHelp topic),
suggests exact, fuzzy, etc. matches of previously-written text so
that you can reuse it. This helps you maintain consistent
terminology in the source language, and will save in localization
costs (some vendors advertise up to 70%).
So far I’ve researched several vendors who offer
authoring memory systems: LionBridge, SDL (two of the top
localization firms), Author-it, Sajan, and Across Systems (who
integrate with Madcap’s Flare). I’ve talked to a few of
them who have set up demos. I’ve read that these systems can
cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.
I like using RoboHelp and would like to continue if
there’s integration with an authoring memory system. If
anyone knows of such a system, please let me know, as it would
certainly help all of us to decide on which to purchase.