Offshore Software Development Trends in 2012
The Drivers of Offshore Software DevelopmentThe offshore Software development trend has been around for a while now and many IT as well as non-IT companies all over the world are engaged in outsourcing their software development needs to offshore software development centers due to the various benefits provided by the outsourcing process. One of the leading drivers of this trend has been the reduced cost factor associated with the outsourcing process in general. During the credit crunch caused by the global financial crisis, companies were focused on reducing costs and the offshoring process helped reduce overheads and improve the outsourcing company’s bottom line. In other cases, non-IT firms with no or minimalist IT departments also outsource their software development requirements as developing such software in-house often tends to be cost prohibitive. The lack of expertise of a company with regard to use of a specific set of software tools/platforms necessary for developing one or more applications is another driver commonly associated with such outsourcing. Such non-IT firms include industries from a wide range of sectors including but not limited to transport and logistics; education; healthcare as well as banking and financial services. Each of these sectors and even companies within the same sector, however, require unique solutions suited to their own needs. Many organizations also follow a blended approach by mixing outsourcing with in-house expertise to develop the necessary solutions.Leading Offshore Software Development Priorities Many companies across the world are currently engaged in developing new software products/applications according to the requirements of clients. New software development is expected to account for a major portion of the software revenue in 2012 and beyond. A close second is the requirement for companies to upgrade their existing software application by integrating new technologies/modules into their already deployed solutions. In 2012, the integration aspect is expected to gain more ground as new technologies/applications increase the benefits provided to organizations by the current solutions. The main benefit of such integration is the reduced deployment time for the company as well as the decreased cost of development as compared to in-house development. The consumerism of IT (CoIT) trend is also beginning to affect the market as users demand a superior user experience delivered by these solutions. As the market for solutions which go beyond delivering basic functionality expands in 2012 and beyond, the focus of many an offshore software development company is expected to shift towards using new technology to develop better User Interface (UI) and graphics for solutions, which were deployed earlier in the enterprise. Such development is often classified as custom software development, is also expected to witness robust grow among offshore development companies in the year 2012 as well as the recent future driven by increases demand across multiple industries.Other key functional areas for offshore software development operations include performance improvement-based software development as well as the continued maintenance and support for existing solutions. As more and more companies deploy software solutions in order to gain a competitive advantage in the intensely competitive market, the number of performance enhancement contracts between organizations and offshore software development firms is expected to increase. Another software development area expected to witness rapid growth in 2012 is the development of dedicated mobile apps. The focus on developing apps for mobile is expected to continue in the recent future driven by increased enterprise mobility requirements and the growing adoption of BYOD (bring your own device) philosophy by enterprises. A related area which is forecast to grow in 2012 is the development of cloud apps for use by the enterprise as well as the development of improved security solutions to ensure superior data security and compliance with all existing regulations of data protection.Leading Deployment Areas for Software developed at Offshore Locations The requirement of software developed by offshore centers is not limited to any specific industry therefore the list of probable deployment areas is quite large and expected to grow further in 2012 as technological advancements open up new application areas. However, the development of data storage/management/Business Intelligence software is expected to be the leading business area for offshore software developers in 2012. Such solutions are deployed by a wide range of industries to cope with the explosion of digital data and facilitate an informed decision-making procedure, which is expected to propel continued growth of the Business Intelligence solutions market. Other leading deployment areas for software developed at leading offshore locations include applications required by the financial and healthcare sectors as well as solutions deployed for managing processes/projects and applications which are necessary to facilitate enterprise-wide networking and communications. Other areas of interest for these companies in 2012 include applications for facilitating the deployment of e-commerce, CRM, content (document) management platforms, online analytics etc. Overall, in 2012 and beyond, the industry is expected to witness robust growth as companies increase their IT expenditure with the intention of gaining a competitive advantage in the market.Development Platforms Preferred by Outsourcing EnterprisesAmong the available software/application development platforms currently in use today, internet/web-based development platforms are expected to dominate the offshore development market in 2012. However, enterprise application development platforms and SaaS/Cloud-based platforms are also expected to witness growth as more organizations issue contracts for new solutions based on these emerging platforms. The emergence of BYOD is also expected to result in the development of various mobile platform-based applications in the recent future, while desktop application and embedded platforms are expected to witness only marginal growth in 2012 due to the perceived restrictions inherent to these platforms.Leading Offshore Destinations around the WorldOver the years, India has traditionally been the leading offshore software development destination for firms based in the US and Europe. This situation is not expected to change in 2012 even though emerging players are expected to partially erode India’s current lead in the global offshore development market. Emerging markets, where organizations are currently outsourcing their software development requirements include Central and South America mainly Brazil and Mexico; various countries in Eastern Europe; China; countries in the Asia-Pacific region such as Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam; as well as Russia and Ukraine. Over the next few years, these emerging players are expected to provide stiff competition to software development centers based in India. The key criterion for competition among these offshore development centers is forecast to include overall cost, development quality, project/client handling procedures and the total development time required. However, even in the face of such challenges, India is expected to retain a dominant position in the global offshore software development market in the year 2012 as well as in the recent future.
How Social News and Social Media Can Benefit You
Most of us have heard about social bookmarking since it’s brought so much convenience to internet browsing and the ability to save our bookmarks on a website rather than our web browser. Social news is known as an offspring of social bookmarking.Social news is very much like social bookmarking except it concentrates on and specializes in individual articles rather than saving complete websites. The articles saved on news sites come from top news sources such as Associated Press, Reuters, or they may also come from blog posts. They’re the perfect solution for individuals that want to read late breaking news without having to sort through tons of other topics.Some of the most popular social news sites include Digg, Newsvine, Reddit and Propeller, although there are many more. These social media websites are usually broken down into individual groups such as current events, politics, sports, entertainment, etc. You’ll also often find an area where readers can vote on the articles so the best ones are on top where they’re easier to find. This is slightly different from social bookmarking sites, which instead will tell you how many times a certain website has been bookmarked.Users of these sites enjoy these sites because it’s like reading a newspaper and finding all the best articles on the front page as opposed to having to search through the entire newspaper. You go to the specific category you’re interested in reading about and the hottest stories will be right on top.Social news sites, like social bookmarking sites, are so much more efficient and convenient than using search engines because you don’t have to browse through dozens or more links to find what you’re looking for. Bloggers find news sites particularly helpful for generating traffic, especially if the most popular news subject happens to coincide with their subject matter.Using a social news site is easy. It’s a matter of choosing the site you want to use and looking through the categories that interest you. You’ll have to open an account if you want to submit new articles, although you won’t need one if you only wish to read the articles already submitted.While most social sites cater to a large audience, some will target a specific group. Social media websites are a fantastic way to keep up on the latest news on your favorite topic. If you have a special news article to share with a friend, a social news site is the perfect solution.
California Job Outlook – Healthcare Workers in Huge Demand
Temperature is right for Healthcare OpportunitiesA healthcare career might be just the cure for your occupational woes. Whether it’s working with patients, being a key contributor in a medical office team, or opening up your own business, healthcare is a satisfying, challenging and exciting career choice. And there’s never been a better time to train for a healthcare position. With the aging of the baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964), a shift from inpatient to outpatient care, and the expansion of healthcare centers, the demand for healthcare workers is expected to increase in the years to come, especially in California.Below are the fastest growing Healthcare Careers in California: *Dental Assisting*Average Annual Wage: $31,9852002-2012 Job Growth: 57%Future Career Paths: Dental Hygienist, Licensed Vocational Nurse*Health Claims Examiner/Medical Biller*Average Annual Wage: $31,7722002-2012 Job Growth: 41%Future Career Paths: Medical Coder, Insurance Adjuster*Massage Therapy*Average Annual Wage: $36,3402002-2012 Job Growth: 21%Future Career Paths: Physical Therapist, Day Spa Manager*Medical Assistant*Average Annual Wage: $28,8902002-2012 Job Growth: 46%Future Career Paths: Licensed Vocational Nurse, Medical Coder*Optical Dispensing*Average Annual Wage: $32,4412002-2012 Job Growth: 23%Future Career Paths: Store Owner, Manufacturers Sales Rep*Pharmacy Technician*Average Annual Wage: $33,6322002-2012 Job Growth: 31%Future Career Paths: Occupational Therapy Assistant, Dietetic Technician*Surgical Technology*Average Annual Wage: $40,1782002-2012 Job Growth: 36%Future Career Paths: Central Supply Mgr, Asst. Operating Room Admin.*Diagnostic Medical Sonagraphy*Average Annual Wage: $60,9082002-2012 Job Growth: 21%Future Career Paths: Physician’s Assistant, Medical Technologist** Salaries listed above are average annual wages reported by the Employment Development Department of the State of California and do not reflect entry level salaries for the healthcare positions listed.Key Success FactorsDo you have a genuine desire to help people? Then chances are you’ll be successful as a healthcare professional. The four other critical skills you’ll need to succeed in health care are:o Team player. Healthcare is a group activity, so people skills and teamwork are essential.o Compassionate and caring. Helping take care of people requires patience and a service-orientated attitude.o Comfortable in any setting. You might be part of a huge organization or a small staff, working at the local, state, regional or national level. The possibilities are endless.o Desire for lifelong learning. You’ll need to keep studying and learning throughout your career to keep up with the latest developments in the field.Healthcare provides a helping hand Healthcare professionals are essential when it comes to caring for the physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing of individuals. Whether you’re a health information specialist or a dental receptionist, all support staff play a vital role in patient care. As an important contributor to the healthcare system, you’ll need to be able to establish trust and credibility with fellow workers and patients. Good communication skills, ability to follow directions, and strong listening ability are important, especially if you’re working in a clinical environment.Technical abilities are a mustTechnology has altered the practice of healthcare. No matter what the healthcare field, an ability to work with computers and high-tech equipment is a powerful asset. As a medical biller, you will probably be asked to help process some claims electronically. Medical clinical assistants may need to deal with an Electronic Medical Record. Pharmacy technicians often operate automated pill dispensers. But if you’re unfamiliar with such tools, don’t worry–your all-important career college will help introduce you to these concepts.Exciting environmentsIs it any wonder that shows like NBC’s “ER” and “Scrubs,” and CBS’ “Rescue 911,” have been so popular? They show the drama of medicine and the reality of life-and-death situations. Healthcare is filled with stimulating and interesting interactions. Of course, big-city hospitals bustle with activity, but even a quiet suburban assisted living facility, chiropractic office, retail pharmacy, HMO, or medical clinic have everyday drama and fascinating daily interactions. If you like a variety of tasks, work well under stress, and take pride in doing a job well done, then you have what it takes to be a valuable member of the healthcare team.Lifelong learningMedical-related workplaces have always been settings that support and encourage professional growth and development. Opportunities for on-the-job training and continuing education abound, and often employers will subsidize your schooling. You’ll also have lots of opportunities for advancement, so your ambition will serve you well in a healthcare profession. If you’re interested in a career like massage therapy, be assured that complementary and alternative medicines are being integrated into conventional healthcare systems, offering you even greater opportunities. No matter what your area of interest, be sure you start out at a school that provides a positive learning environment and is prepared to help you launch your career in this exciting arena.Reality checkAlthough not every healthcare professional works with patients, those who do will find that people are sicker, older, and living longer, often with chronic diseases. Keeping a positive attitude is key for maintaining a cheerful office or clinic. Are you up to the challenge? Being a paid caregiver requires confidence, commitment and compassion.
SummaryThe clock never stops ticking in the healthcare profession. Perhaps it’s time for you to join this financially rewarding, stable and gratifying occupation. One recent study showed that California led other states in the number of advertised healthcare job vacancies, with other regions also showing a strong demand across the nation.One healthcare worker said it best: “Touching someone’s life in a positive way is the most rewarding work that there is.”To request free information about the healthcare career training programs offered in southern California, visit http://www.americancareer.com.To request free information about the healthcare career training programs offered in northern California’s San Joaquin Valley, visit http://www.acicareercollege.com.About American Career CollegeFor over 25 years, American Career College (ACC) has been helping thousands of students get their start in the healthcare industry. ACC offers nine healthcare training programs at campuses in Los Angeles, Orange County and Norco, California:Dental AssistingHealth Claims Examiner/Medical BillerMassage TherapyOptical DispensingVocational NursingPharmacy TechnicianSurgical TechnologyDiagnostic & Medical Sonography (Ultrasound)Medical AssistantAbout A.C.I. Career CollegeAt its McHenry Avenue campus in Modesto, CA, the College offers six accredited healthcare training programs:Health Information SpecialistMedical Clinical AssistantMedical-Dental Administrative AssistantPharmacy TechnicianMassage TherapistMedical Dental Receptionist