Server-to-server connection
Sandberg runs an Across LSP server and connects to our translation company clients' Across servers for retrieving project packages for translation. We do not create any projects in Across on our own but simply retrieve translation packages from clients, assign them to our translators and revisers, and deliver them back to the client via Across once the project is finished. Likewise, translators connect to Sandberg's Across server to accept and work on tasks and deliver them back when the tasks are finished.
For Sandberg to connect to a client's Across server, we need to send the client an .scp file which contains information relating to our Across server and receive and import the client's .scp file to our Across server. The initial connection has to be configured manually (by Tech) but once it has been established, we can start receiving the work immediately; the .scp file only needs to be imported once.
We have a limited number of client server connection "slots" available for use (currently 8). See Client (master) servers in Across for the full list and further explanations on what happens when all slots are in use.
PM involvement in Across projects is minimal: PMs simply connect to a client server, retrieve and accept a project, assign the project to a translator/reviser, and once the translation project is finished, deliver the project to the client via Across again. PMs can open the files we are translating (they open n read-only mode by default), and there is nothing they need or can do as final checks before delivery.
Licencing
The way licencing works in Across is that individual translators do not have to pay for a licence. Instead, it is the LSP who sends them the work that has to purchase the licences used by the translators. Sandberg PMs enable and disable licences for translators and all licences in our shared pool are shared between PMs, in-house translators and freelancers. Currently, we have 48 user licences in total.
However, what (freelance) translators do need to pay for is additional connections to client servers - much like we would need to pay more to have more than 8 connection "slots" available to us. The way this works for freelancers is explained in more detail in Different versions and their compatibility.