AI translation is revolutionizing global business communications by generating high-quality multilingual content quickly at a lower cost than human translation. But in legal, patent, and enterprise contexts, choosing the right vendor goes far beyond considerations of speed or pricing. The real concerns are: how well does this vendor understand your operational, security, and domain-specific needs, and how capable are they of solving your top business problems?
This guide gives professionals the key criteria and exact questions to make sure you are choosing a translation vendor to help you achieve your goals. Here are 8 key areas to consider in your search for an AI translation vendor.
1. Data Security and Compliance
Translation in legal and enterprise environments isn’t just about language — it’s about protecting privileged and often highly confidential information. Legal filings, patent drafts, MandA documents, and employee contracts frequently contain personal data, financial terms, or proprietary strategies. If mishandled, this information can be exposed to competitors, the public, or regulators, with serious consequences.
One widely cited example is a 2022 incident in which a law firm using an unsecured third-party translation tool inadvertently exposed confidential documents to public search engines, resulting in a regulatory investigation and client backlash. Incidents like this highlight why robust security practices aren’t optional — they’re foundational.
To evaluate a vendor’s readiness, pay close attention to these areas:
- End-to-End Encryption: Protects documents in transit and at rest from unauthorized access or interception
- Regulatory Compliance: Look for evidence of alignment with GDPR, HIPAA, and any region-specific data protection regulations
- Deployment Options: Some organizations require on-premise or private cloud infrastructure to meet internal or external compliance needs
Specifically, you should ask these questions:
- What is your approach to data security?
- Are you compliant with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA?
- Do you offer private cloud or on-premise deployment options?
Bering Lab’s answer to these questions is straightforward: the platform was designed with enterprise and legal compliance in mind. Bering provides full end-to-end encryption, is fully GDPR-compliant, and supports both private cloud and on-premise deployments for clients who require maximum control. These features are detailed in their overview of enterprise security architecture.
2. Translation Quality and Accuracy
In legal and enterprise content, quality is not just a preference — it’s a legal, financial, and reputational safeguard. A single mistranslation in a contract clause, compliance policy, or patent filing can result in serious misinterpretations, delayed filings, or even lawsuits. For example, there are documented cases of patent applications being rejected due to the mistranslation of a single technical term.
To avoid these consequences, organizations must evaluate translation vendors using quality-specific criteria, including both technical accuracy and expert human review.
Key criteria to evaluate:
- Domain-Specific AI Models: Models should be trained on legal, financial, or patent language, not just general web content
- Human Post-Editing by Experts: Especially for legal and high-risk content, linguists with legal expertise should review AI output
- Use of BLEU Scores and Quality Benchmarks: Look for vendors who measure and report on accuracy using standardized methods
You’ll want to ask these questions:
- What is your approach to ensuring translation accuracy?
- Do you use domain-specific AI models tailored for legal and patent documents?
- Is human post-editing by legal experts included in your process?
- How do you measure and benchmark translation quality?
Bering Lab combines domain-adapted AI with expert human post-editing, ensuring every output meets legal-grade accuracy standards. Their processes include BLEU benchmarking and professional oversight by legal linguists.
3. Customization and Flexibility
In legal and enterprise translation, a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short. Each organization has unique terminologies, document structures, and compliance requirements. Without customization, translations may lack the precision needed for critical documents, leading to misunderstandings or legal complications.
For example, a multinational corporation with proprietary terminology in its contracts may face inconsistencies if the translation vendor cannot adapt to its specific lexicon, potentially leading to contractual disputes.
Key criteria to evaluate:
- Model Training with Proprietary Data: The vendor should support training AI models on your internal documents for better accuracy
- Smart Glossary Tools: Glossary features ensure consistent translation of key terms across projects
- Integration with Internal Systems: Seamless integration with your platforms reduces manual work and speeds up workflows
Be sure to ask these questions:
- What AI customization options do you offer?
- Can your models be trained with our proprietary data?
- How does your system support terminology consistency?
- Can your platform integrate directly with our internal tools?
Bering Lab offers customizable AI translation solutions that can be trained on your proprietary data, ensuring that translations reflect your organization’s specific terminology and style. Their smart glossary tools and seamless integration capabilities with internal systems enhance consistency and efficiency.
4. Workflow Integration and Automation
Efficient translation workflows are essential for organizations dealing with high volumes of documents. Without proper integration and automation, teams may face delays, errors, and increased operational costs.
Consider a scenario where a legal team needs to translate multiple contracts daily. Without integration between the translation tool and their document management system, the process becomes manual and time-consuming, increasing the risk of errors.
Key criteria to evaluate:
- API Availability: An open API allows the translation system to connect directly with your internal tools
- Format Compatibility: The vendor should support a wide range of file types to match your document workflows
- Real-Time Collaboration Support: Collaboration features help teams review and edit translations together in real time
Don’t forget to ask these questions:
- Does your solution offer APIs for integration with our systems?
- What file formats are supported by your translation tool?
- Can multiple users collaborate on translations in real-time?
Bering Lab’s translation platform offers robust API support, allowing for seamless integration with your existing systems. It supports a wide range of file formats and provides real-time collaboration features, enabling teams to work together efficiently.
5. Scalability and Performance
As organizations grow, their translation needs expand. A translation vendor must be able to scale services to meet increasing demands without compromising on quality or speed.
For instance, a global enterprise launching products in multiple countries simultaneously requires rapid and accurate translations of marketing materials, legal documents, and user manuals. A vendor unable to handle such volume can delay product launches and affect market competitiveness.
Key criteria to evaluate:
- Handling Large-Volume Requests: The vendor should process high volumes efficiently without compromising quality
- Performance Benchmarks or Uptime: Look for published metrics on system speed, reliability, and uptime
- Case Studies Demonstrating Scalability: Real-world examples show the vendor’s ability to scale with enterprise needs
You’ll need to ask these questions:
- How do you handle large-scale translation projects?
- Can you provide performance benchmarks or uptime statistics?
- Do you have case studies demonstrating your scalability?
Bering Lab has a proven track record of handling large-scale translation projects efficiently. Their scalable infrastructure ensures consistent performance, even under high demand. For example, they helped a global law firm reduce translation costs by 50% while increasing efficiency tenfold.
6. Transparent Pricing and Cost Structure
Budget clarity is essential when evaluating AI translation vendors, especially for legal and enterprise teams managing high-volume or ongoing translation needs. Lack of transparency can lead to billing surprises, hidden service fees, and misaligned expectations, often straining vendor relationships.
For example, some vendors offer attractive base rates but charge extra for file formatting, urgent delivery, or human post-editing, driving up the final cost and creating budgeting headaches mid-project.
These are the pricing structure details you should be looking for:
- Clear Pricing Models: Understand whether the vendor charges per word, per project, or offers a subscription-based structure
- No Hidden Fees: Ensure transparency about setup costs, minimum charges, post-editing surcharges, or delivery fees
- Flexible Plans: Look for options that scale with your team’s needs and don’t penalize you for changes in usage
Make sure to ask these questions:
- What are your pricing models, and how are they structured?
- Are there any additional fees we should be aware of?
- Do you offer flexible plans that can scale with our needs?
Bering Lab offers transparent and adaptable pricing designed to serve enterprise clients of all sizes. You can choose from per-word pricing for one-off projects, custom subscriptions for ongoing needs, or flexible hybrid plans. There are no hidden costs, and every quote includes a clear breakdown of services.
7. Customer Support and Service
Reliable customer support is essential for addressing issues promptly and ensuring smooth operations. Inadequate support can lead to prolonged downtimes and frustration.
Imagine encountering a technical issue during a critical translation project and being unable to reach support promptly. Such delays can disrupt project timelines and affect business outcomes.
Key criteria to evaluate:
- Dedicated Account Management: A single point of contact ensures personalized service and project continuity
- Availability and Responsiveness: Fast, reliable support minimizes delays and keeps workflows moving
- Onboarding and Documentation: Clear guidance and resources help your team get up and running quickly
Here are the questions to ask:
- Will we have a dedicated account manager?
- What are your support hours and response times?
- Do you provide onboarding assistance and documentation?
Bering Lab offers dedicated account managers to provide personalized support. Their responsive customer service team is available to address inquiries promptly, and they provide comprehensive onboarding resources to ensure a smooth transition.
8. Reputation and Client Testimonials
A vendor’s reputation and client testimonials provide insights into their reliability and quality of service. Positive feedback from similar organizations can instill confidence in their capabilities.
For instance, a law firm seeking translation services might be reassured by testimonials from other legal entities that have successfully used the vendor’s services for complex legal documents.
Key criteria to evaluate:
- Industry-Specific Case Studies: Look for proven success with clients in your field or use case
- Public Reviews or Recognitions: Awards, certifications, or third-party reviews reflect credibility and trust
- Direct Testimonial Examples: Client stories offer insight into real-world results and satisfaction
Get the answers to these questions:
- Can you provide case studies relevant to our industry?
- Have you received any industry recognitions or awards?
- Can we speak with clients who have used your services?
Bering Lab has garnered positive testimonials from clients in the legal sector. For example, the Korean law firm WeAdvise significantly improved its translation efficiency and quality using Bering Lab’s services.
For a detailed comparison of top AI translation vendors, including DeepL, TransPerfect, RWS, and Bering Lab, refer to our comprehensive analysis.
Bering Lab was designed from the ground up for modern enterprise B2B workflows; therefore, we are not bound by legacy constraints. Our differentiator lies in its hybrid approach — combining domain-adapted AI with expert human oversight, while offering enterprise-grade security, flexibility, and performance. Unlike DeepL or traditional LSPs, Bering Lab is purpose-built for legal, patent, and enterprise workflows, without sacrificing speed or control.
Making Your Informed Choice
Selecting an AI translation vendor in high-risk fields like law and patents means balancing quality, security, and operational fit. Use our guide to go beyond flashy features and get to what really matters: fit, peace of mind, and long-term value.
