Q: What is Otto?
A: Otto is Merrill Brink’s breakthrough automated workflow technology solution.

Q: How will our company benefit from working with Merrill Brink International and Otto?
A: If you have a content management system (CMS) in place, OttoCMS® will integrate seamlessly to save you a significant amount of time and money. If you do not have a CMS, OttoDoc® is used to make the translation process more efficient for publication-based jobs.

Q: Is this a software product that is available for purchase?
A: No. Otto is provided exclusively for Merrill Brink clients, and is free of charge.

Q: Is this a machine translation program?
A: No. Otto is designed to automate all workflow functions, except translation and proof-reading. Automated functions include retrieving files from client server, project management, translation memory database leveraging, routing and notification, electronic delivery to client, and billing. Otto’s automated workflow environment allows our staff to focus on providing superior service and value.

Q: Is this a software product that is available for purchase?
A: No, Otto is used exclusively at Merrill Brink International.

Q: We currently have translation memories. Will Otto integrate with our current system?
A: Yes, Otto is a logical extension to your current process. A customized interface can be created to integrate with most translation memory systems.

Q: Will I incur any additional set-up costs to implement Otto?
A: No, there are generally no additional costs for Otto.

Q: We've already invested and developed a single source publishing system that integrates authoring and translation. How can Otto assist us?
A: If you have an existing publishing system that integrates content creation and translation, you are already in a good position to link to Otto. Otto was not developed to replace your publishing system, but rather to serve as an extension to it. In doing so, Otto streamlines the translation segment of your process to save you time and money.
 
Q: Has Otto been tested by other clients?
A: Otto has been operating in a production environment for our clients since May, 2002.

Q: How exactly does Otto work?
A: The best way to learn about Otto is to view our eight minute demonstration, which walks you through the entire process. To schedule a Web-based demonstration, please click here.

OttoCMS® Questions

Q: How do I use OttoCMS?
A: It’s simple. Once we create a custom interface between Otto and your CMS, content is automatically routed through our process and placed back on your CMS server when the translation is complete.

Q: With which content management systems does OttoCMS work?
A: Most systems are compatible. OttoCMS is designed to work with XML, SGML, HTML and other structured markup languages. We have partnered with Documentum and designed an integrated interface between Otto and Documentum platforms.

OttoDoc® Questions

Q: If I don’t have a CMS in place, can I still integrate with Otto?
A: Yes. We have applied elements of Otto to our publication-based process. However, the automation and savings are not as great as with the CMS version.

Q: How do I use OttoDoc?
A: To initiate a project, simply log on to iTrac®, our web-based project management system. iTrac’s intuitive client interface provides direct access to project-dedicated FTP sites, reports and real-time status of all active projects. You can even obtain immediate itemized quotes, which include client database leveraging, via the iBudget™ utility.

Q: With which file formats does OttoDoc work?
A: OttoDoc is designed to work with Adobe® FrameMaker®, Interleaf, QuickSilver, QuarkXPress®, Adobe PageMaker®, Adobe InDesign®, etc., Microsoft® Word a XML, SGML, HTML and other desktop publishing software applications.

Q: Will you still be able to format our translated documents?
A: Yes, Otto automates all tasks around the language, desktop publishing and quality control functions. Automated functions include retrieving files from the client's server, providing immediate itemized cost estimates, project management, translation memory database leveraging, routing and notification, electronic delivery to client, and billing. Otto allows our staff to focus on providing superior service and value.