Explained in the easiest way, CAT tools are designed to help translators throughout the translation process. This kind of software is designed with multiple tools to facilitate the process such as translation memories, text analysis, glossaries and quality control. 
 
Translation is one of the most prominent industries and as it continues to grow, the technology to help also evolves with it. Indeed, the demand for multilingual documentation grows faster and faster each time in today’s globalized world, causing translation agencies to deal with large volumes of work and sometimes with short periods of time to deliver it. 
 
The pipeline of translation involves different processes such a translation, revising and editing, quality assurance and delivery. This would be a mess without the appropriate technology. This is where CAT tools step in. They avoid having to repeatedly translate similar texts from scratch thanks to the TMs, they allow an easier way to checking errors in a project and people can check the real progress on time. Having access to previous translations and terminology saves a lot of time and helps with productivity, especially when the content has repetitions. 
 
Another great aspect of CAT tools is that they offer quality assurance all throughout the translation process since they are equipped with spelling and grammar checkers, as well as a tool to detect inaccuracies in punctuation, numbers, format, etc.
 
Learning to use CAT tools is a need for translators that want to be in line with today’s demands. CAT tools help with productivity, efficiency and they are an effective way of working. With these tools, translators are now able to translate twice as much content in the same time as before. Besides, the terminological bases CAT tools have often help providing partially pre-translated text, which helps save time.
 
The multiple advantages of working with CAT tools have led several agencies across the world to demand translators to gain the skill of working with different software and even translators who work by themselves recognize the importance of learning to use such tools. It is not a matter of being comfortable with big workloads anymore, but a matter of being able to respond effectively to the different demands the industry have, being the priority speed and high quality.
 
Today, working with CAT tools offers linguists a world of opportunities, including having some more free time after a project since they can comprise the translation, editing, check and even project management in one single software.