Optimierungsschraube

18:15 Dec 2, 2017 

What about "fine tuning"? You could get a similarly practical metaphor (I think) like "the right fork for fine tuning"...

10:33 Nov 21, 2017 

One more thought:

Tool kit or set of tools could get the image across somewhat better than "tools" on its own or what do you think? E.g., "the right/perfect tool kit for optimizing/improving/increasing"

It's a bit closer to add-on (not saying it's the same) and "normal" tool manufacturers (e.g.: "here’s the right tool kit for all those jobs around the house" https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Tools-DT9408-Household-Screwdr... )

Further below...
"eine Stellschraube, an der es sich gelohnt hat zu drehen"

...something similar to
"and all they/it needed was one more set of tools."

12:35 Nov 20, 2017 

@herbalchemist
1) would be exactly the kind of literal translation that I don't think you (or I) were advocating for. Also, it'd be missing "you over" at the end. As said below, any kind of screw reference is for naught, IMO. Worse, you may be asking for bad jokes all day long. This is the age of Twitter.

2) may be promising a bit too much, but 3) is something, although if the screw's gone (or loose, see there's the next bad joke), there will no longer be any dots to connect.
I wonder what Phil thinks; I'd be interested in his opinion.

@Gavin
Thanks for the update. Maybe the bad joke suggestion below wasn't all that bad. If this is some kind of heading, you could use a phrase such as "the right tool(s) for the job," although I realize that this isn't very creative. Don't expect too much on a Monday :)

Best

10:54 Nov 20, 2017 

Hi guys - thanks for all the input. Plenty of food for thought. Seeing as this is a tool manufacturer implementing an SAP add-on to improve efficiency/transparency, I've provisionally opted for "Using the right tools to optimize efficiency". At least this incorporates the context of the play on words.

09:57 Nov 20, 2017 

Björn, those were very helpful resources. Are these suitable suggestions?:

-The right turn for the optimization screwing

-The pivotal element driving success

-A deliberate turn towards optimal performance

09:31 Nov 20, 2017 

Or just use "tool":
http://www.constructionbusinessowner.com/technology/software...
https://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=https://www.for...

Could be used for a play on words (handheld / software); something like: "That was the one tool we couldn't offer/didn't have available." (bad joke, I know)

09:09 Nov 20, 2017 

"The German makes no sense too"
- This isn't the only "instance" of "Optimierungsschraube" and it's perfectly understandable, IMO:
http://diemehrwertfabrik.de/wozu_und_warum_die_mehrwertfabri...
https://www.egovernment-computing.de/business-intelligence-e...

It's merely a combination of "Stellschraube" + "Optimierung":
"Stellschraube 2 – Conversion-Optimierung
Stellschraube 3 – Disversion-Optimierung"
https://ihre-kundenbrille.de/publikation/vom-einmalkauf-zur-...

If you know how to translate "Stellschraube," you're a lot closer to this one here too. There's another translation besides "factors that influence/impact..." and that is "potential." Just one example:
"Oft vernachlässigte Stellschraube zur Verbesserung des Erfolgs einer Website ... oft noch verstecktes Potential für die OnPage-Suchmaschinenoptimierung"
http://www.netzkunst24.de/blog/artikel/bildersuche-vernachla...

This is tap/exploit/unlock + potential or similar. Forget about the screw.

Best

02:44 Nov 20, 2017 

An (almost) literal translation will have the same effect in English as in German. The German makes no sense too so why go through torturous contortions in search for a pun? All you will have achieved is to paraphrase what you think the author meant (Henry James novella: The Turn of the Screw)

19:30 Nov 19, 2017 

I can understand your frustration. I had to deal with "Stellschraube" before and I don't think there's a great EN equivalent--not a single-word one at least. I'm curious to know how you translated it?

I don't agree with Jonathan here:
https://www.proz.com/kudoz/german_to_english/human_resources...

This here is closer, IMO (factors that impact the success of something):
https://www.proz.com/kudoz/german_to_english/marketing/95735...

Phil, is there anything wrong with "optimiz(s)e"? I don't like tweak that much because most of these kinds of changes are comprehensive in nature and they don't want you to think you need to pay a lot for little effort (on the developer's part). In my experience, a usual word in this type of IT context (although it may not look like it at first) is "enhance":
https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/help/4046025/enhance-you...
https://www.sap.com/products/workforce-scheduling-optimizati...

As it is a tool manufacturer, I'm guessing they want some kind of wordplay here. Difficult.

16:30 Nov 19, 2017 

Hi Phil,
The add-on aims to provide more transparency to their logistics processes. This is summed up in the final sentence of the text (which also includes this "Schraube" element):
"Die geschaffene Transparenz sorgt jetzt für eine nachhaltig gesteigerte Effizienz in allen logistischen Prozessen – eine Stellschraube, an der es sich gelohnt hat zu drehen."

15:30 Nov 19, 2017 

Thanks. Do they mention one specific benefit that the add-on provides?

15:22 Nov 19, 2017 

Hi Phil,
The company manufactures files, burrs, mounted points, diamond and CBN tools, industrial power brushes, and other tools used to treat surfaces and separate materials. The add-on is used to help monitor inventory and production processes.
Thanks,
Gavin

15:17 Nov 19, 2017 

Could we have some more context, please? Most importantly, what does the add-on do? And what kind of tools does the company make? Hand, or machine?
It's not easy to come up with a title without being able to see the whole article.
The idea of "an der Optimierungsschraube drehen" is to tweak or fine-tune to make the company more efficient.