Poll: Do you find it difficult to stay on top of the new tech and processes your clients introduce?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Mar 27, 2019

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you find it difficult to stay on top of the new tech and processes your clients introduce?".

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neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 06:48
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Mar 27, 2019

Most of my clients are direct and don't usually introduce new anything. Nevertheless, when that situation arises, I usually do my best to comply with their demands, as long as I find them reasonable. For example, last year some universities changed the procedure for ordering translations and revisions, which meant a bit more admin from me, so I explained that I would need to raise my rates 20% to compensate. They were quite happy and I could probably have raised them even more; all they were int... See more
Most of my clients are direct and don't usually introduce new anything. Nevertheless, when that situation arises, I usually do my best to comply with their demands, as long as I find them reasonable. For example, last year some universities changed the procedure for ordering translations and revisions, which meant a bit more admin from me, so I explained that I would need to raise my rates 20% to compensate. They were quite happy and I could probably have raised them even more; all they were interested in was ensuring the new system was in place.

I used to occasionally work with one agency which began asking me to use Déjà Vu. I did so but only for one translation, because I wasn't keen on the interface. Nowadays they still occasionally send me work, but they don't insist on a specific CAT tool.
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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 05:48
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other Mar 27, 2019

I can’t remember ever being faced with a major modification to the way my clients (both agencies and direct clients) work with me and some have been with me a long time. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'm adaptable and I like keeping my clients happy, so I don't see why I'd have any problem with change (within reason).

 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 22:48
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Mostly Mar 27, 2019

Over the last week I've had technical problems with two clients due to changes in file formats, but I was able to get back up to speed with the help of my tech, and now everything is fine. I should be good for quite a while.

 
Yetta Jensen Bogarde
Yetta Jensen Bogarde  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 06:48
Member (2012)
English to Danish
+ ...
Not really Mar 27, 2019

If it gets too much I just say no and move on.

Philippe Etienne
Philip Lees
 
Gibril Koroma
Gibril Koroma  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 01:48
French to English
+ ...
Other Mar 27, 2019

Never an issue.

 
R. Alex Jenkins
R. Alex Jenkins  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 02:48
Member (2006)
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Not really Mar 27, 2019

The main issue is when customers expect you to be fully up to speed with their inner workings and online portals, but only send you one job every six hundred years. It can be frustrating, maddening and awkward at times, but seriously, it's all good, and many agencies have improved their outsourcing and freelancer processes no end.

 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 02:48
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Not really Mar 28, 2019

The new stuff we have to learn every now and then for client tech is always very similar. No big deal.
I do, however, hate almost all online platforms they want us to use. I export the html text of all jobs, convert the translatable part to txt, translate using my CAT, then copy and paste back to their platform. It may sound like extra wotk, but believe me: not only it's a lot better and more accurate (and better quality), but it also allows me to keep my segments in my memory, which is my
... See more
The new stuff we have to learn every now and then for client tech is always very similar. No big deal.
I do, however, hate almost all online platforms they want us to use. I export the html text of all jobs, convert the translatable part to txt, translate using my CAT, then copy and paste back to their platform. It may sound like extra wotk, but believe me: not only it's a lot better and more accurate (and better quality), but it also allows me to keep my segments in my memory, which is my obvious right.

[Edited at 2019-03-28 06:17 GMT]
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Poll: Do you find it difficult to stay on top of the new tech and processes your clients introduce?






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