The printed press and social media are full of headlines such as:” 9 Things Your Travel Agent Will Not Tell You,” “Useless Jobs,” “Travel Do it Yourself” or “How to be a Travel Hacker.” Furthermore, if you search the definition of a Travel Agency you will find information that says:”With general public access to the Internet, many airlines and other travel companies began to sell directly to passengers. As a consequence, airlines no longer needed to pay the commissions to travel agents on each ticket sold. Since 1997, travel agencies have gradually been disintermediated”(Cutting the middle man).Misconceptions including the belief that using a Travel Agency will cost clients more, or the infamous question, “Do travel agents still exist?” need to be addressed. Our labor of love has never been put to the test more than now, but was it always like this? Were Travel Agents always under-appreciated? Why? How is it that our 127-year-old industry is being placed in this modern-day situation?Here’s an interesting fact: The oldest known travel agency in the United States is Brownell Travel, founded on July 4, 1887. Mr. Walter T. Brownell led ten travelers on a European tour, setting sail from New York on the SS Devonia. Originally, travel catered only for upper class customers, but the post-war boom opened travel to the mass market, allowing everyone to look for convenient ways to go back to Europe for “the holidays.”I commend Mr. Brownell and his legacy, taking those early travel pioneers to the old continent. I also commend and congratulate the new owners for continuing their services today.Changes of the perception of Travel Agents, are clear shown in the contrast of messages, of 2 of our Presidents, we were particularly praised by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, and nowadays are considered irrelevant, even according to President Obama in a 2011 speech.Here is a transcript of their messages;In President John F. Kennedy’s own words:”It gives me great pleasure to extend my greetings to the American Society of travel agents on the occasion of its annual Congress. Your contributions to the furthering of peace and international understanding through the promotion and stimulation of worldwide travel are most heartening.The economic impact of your work has been beneficial for countries large and small. Your organization has been a vital instrument of expansion for the economies of countries undergoing post-war recovery and newly emerging nations.In our own country, it has provided one of the three main sources of income for 20 of our States, and, last but not least, through its efforts to encourage more people to visit the United States, it has positively and efficiently aided us in the amelioration of our balance of payments situation.The consistent increase in the number of visitors from overseas in the past two years reflects the efforts of your members in developing travel facilities at home and abroad for those who wish to visit the United States.Your continued service can be of invaluable assistance to our country in a future in which travel will play an increasingly crucial role.”Powerful words that make any Travel Agent feel proud to serve their country.In contrast, President Barack Obama’s own words in 2011:”One of the challenges in terms of rebuilding our economy is businesses have gotten so efficient that-when was the last time somebody went to a bank teller instead of using the ATM, or used a travel agent instead of just going online? A lot of jobs that used to be out there requiring people now have become automated.”Strong words that could make any Travel Agent feel devastated and feel purposeless in serving our country.The industry went through many changes, from the 60′s until now and the Travel agent, Professional Advisor, stand still loyal to their customers, regardless of the adversities, they continue being loyal to their clients, creating memories of a Lifetime.
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Custom Software Today
What is custom software development?Software development can be an extremely difficult and complex process. It includes the evolution of software products in a structured and planned manner starting from requirements elaboration and ending with software maintenance and troubleshooting. Currently custom software development companies provide applications for all kinds of industries and vertical markets including Retail & Distribution, Construction, Healthcare, Military & Police, Government, E-commerce, Agriculture etc.Why use custom software development?
Certainly, companies may buy pre-made software packages but often they don’t suit particular business requirements completely and cannot be customized to one’s needs in most of the cases. Custom applications can be built for further integration with the most popular applications used in offices today. Thus, application development has become important to the ever-changing and ever-growing marketplace.Here are some of the benefits you get by using custom software:
It improves workflow efficiency. Company can obtain tailored cost-competitive and robust solutions that can be beneficial for all company’s departments and also may help increase sales. A custom software development company analyzes the company’s business needs, industry and product requirements and delivers personalized applications for tailoring innovative technologies.
Individual approach. Owing to present economic trends applications become more adaptable. Off the shelf software applications are often simply not equipped enough to handle specific and non-standard tasks. Every company is different. Some companies need unique solutions able to complete data processes that are too complex to be accomplished via ordinary software methods. That’s when custom solutions become handy – you can get a tailor-made solution exactly matching your needs.
Step-by-step control. Usually, businesses wish to be a part of the development process. This means to be able to make important changes and have control over software development. Now with custom software development it has become possible. You can add all the important components in the process of development and make some changes if it’s necessary. Most of the software development companies follow SCRUM, so you can get a report about the work done almost every day.
Support and maintenance. Application development process includes also further support and maintenance. It means not only troubleshooting which is surely very important. Software can also be altered by the developers in order to adapt and evolve according to the demands and challenges required.
Helps you stay competitive. As the business world shifts, companies need to be able to adapt. In an effort to survive in the modern competitive business climate companies search for solutions providing them with reliable and innovative IT infrastructure. To meet growing challenges companies need to improve their performance by enhancing business processes and their sustainability. That is why custom software solutions are not a luxury anymore. Companies implement custom software into the workflow to ensure efficient business growth.
Security. When custom software is developed security features may be added to new business applications, allowing businesses to store data safely. Generally custom applications are designed with security in mind taking into account potential threats that could appear in future.
In the current world businesses search for Custom Software Development services to have applications developed according to their requirements. It’s vital to choose the right custom software development vendor to make sure that your requirements vision is brought to reality.
Oriental Medicine Diplomas: Achieve Yours
Find Oriental Medicine Diplomas in the United States and Canada. Students pursuing Oriental medicine diplomas should know that most diploma programs in Chinese medicine and Oriental medicine can be successfully completed in a minimum of 3-6 years. In addition, while some acupuncture schools do not always require certain prerequisites, some career training programs offering Oriental medicine diplomas do (require prerequisite education). So it is critical that prospective students review all curriculum prerequisites prior to applying.In the process of achieving their Oriental medicine diplomas, students will first learn the basics of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. With hands-on training, students will also gain fundamental skills in acupuncture (needling techniques, meridians, etc.), moxibustion, acupressure, Chinese herbal medicine, cupping, Tai Chi, Qi gong, and Tuina (Chinese medical massage), among other related subject matter.In addition to aforementioned studies, students pursuing their Oriental medicine diplomas will learn about nutrition, vitamins, minerals and the history and principles of Chinese medicine.Upon successful completion of all required course matter, students will often participate in a clinical internship where they will acquire practical training. Once graduates have achieved their Oriental medicine diplomas, they must become licensed in the State or Province in which they reside in order to become practicing Oriental medicine doctors and acupuncturists.Once graduates have achieved their Oriental medicine diplomas, they must also remember that while they have accomplished a tremendous educational feat, that many states require Oriental medicine practitioners to maintain licensure by acquiring continuing education courses.If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding programs offering Oriental medicine diplomas, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.Oriental Medicine Diplomas: Achieve Yours© Copyright 2007The CollegeBound NetworkAll Rights ReservedNOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.