Automatic translation of factory messages
If your account has it switched on, PO messages between your team and your factories are translated between Chinese and English automatically, both ways.
Automatic translation is switched on per account by your platform support team. When it is on, every message on a purchase order is translated between Chinese and English as it is sent, both ways. Your factory writes Chinese and you read English; you write English and they read Chinese. Nobody has to press anything.
Translations show in a PO's Factory messages and in the PO threads under Messages → Orders & POs. Customer order messages are never translated.
#What you see
When the factory writes Chinese, the English is on top, marked Translated from Chinese. Show original / Hide original shows exactly what they typed.
When you write English, your message stays English for you and the factory reads it in Chinese. Show the Chinese they see shows the exact text in front of them. It is worth a glance before anything expensive.
When both sides use the same language, for example the factory writes in English, nothing is translated and there's no note or button.
#What is never translated
PO numbers, product codes, sizes, quantities ("2XL x 40"), prices, dates and a bare "OK" come through untouched. A message made up only of codes has nothing to translate and shows no translation line.
#The original is always kept
The original message is never changed and is always one click away. It is the record of what was actually said.
Translation follows a second or two after the message is delivered, so a message can briefly appear untranslated. Reopen the thread and it will be there.
Team email alerts about a factory message quote the English, so you can read the alert without opening the portal.
#Tips for clear messages
- Machine translation can mangle figures and technical terms. Check the original for anything important.
- Keep key facts as numbers and codes.
- Write short sentences.
Watch out
if a quantity or date looks wrong in the translation, check the original before acting on it, and ask the factory to confirm key figures.
#Common questions
A factory message has no translation. It was written in English or only contains codes, it was sent before translation was switched on, or the service was briefly unavailable. The message still arrived. If nothing new is being translated at all, tell your platform support team through Messages → Support.
Can I turn translation off for one message? No.
The translation looks wrong. Rely on the original, and ask the factory to confirm key figures.