Glossary of Tech Terms
25 key terms used in custom software development, theatre ticketing, real estate CRM, travel agency software, and web hosting — with definitions, context, and links to relevant products.
Custom Software Development
The process of designing, building, and deploying software tailored to a specific business's unique workflows — as opposed to off-the-shelf tools built for the general market.
Why it matters: Off-the-shelf tools force you to adapt your business to the software. Custom software adapts to your business, eliminating workarounds and manual processes.
Custom Software Development →Fixed-Price Quote
A project pricing model where the total cost is agreed upon before work begins. No hourly billing — the price stays the same regardless of how long the work takes.
Why it matters: Eliminates budget uncertainty. You know exactly what you'll pay before a single line of code is written.
View Pricing →Micro-Step Development
A development methodology that builds software in small, testable increments (5–15 lines of code at a time) with frequent demos and feedback loops.
Why it matters: Reduces risk of large-scale bugs and ensures the product matches your vision at every stage. Pioneered by Metorox for client projects.
Learn About Micro-Step →SaaS (Software as a Service)
Cloud-based software delivered via subscription. No installation required — access via browser. Examples: CurtainCall Ticketing, Realtor Hub, Host Pro.
Why it matters: Lower upfront cost, automatic updates, and no server management. Ideal for small businesses that want enterprise-grade tools without IT overhead.
View SaaS Products →IDX/MLS Integration
Internet Data Exchange — a system that allows real estate agents to display live MLS (Multiple Listing Service) property listings on their own website, updated automatically.
Why it matters: Keeps your website's listings current without manual entry. Buyers search your site instead of Zillow, keeping leads on your platform.
Realtor Hub (IDX-Integrated) →GDS (Global Distribution System)
Technology platforms (Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport) that aggregate travel inventory from airlines, hotels, and car rental companies for travel agencies to search and book.
Why it matters: GDS access is essential for travel agencies to offer competitive pricing and real-time availability across hundreds of suppliers.
Travel Pro (GDS-Connected) →PCI DSS Compliance
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard — a security framework required for any business processing credit card payments.
Why it matters: Non-compliance can result in fines, data breaches, and loss of payment processing ability. Metorox implements PCI compliance via Stripe or Square on all payment projects.
CurtainCall (PCI-Compliant) →SLA (Service Level Agreement)
A commitment to respond to or resolve issues within a defined timeframe. Metorox SLAs: Critical 12hr, High 24hr, Medium 48hr, Low 72hr.
Why it matters: Guarantees accountability and sets clear expectations for support response times.
Support & Maintenance →NDC (New Distribution Capability)
An IATA standard that allows airlines to distribute richer content (ancillaries, bundles, personalized offers) directly to travel agencies without traditional GDS middleware.
Why it matters: Gives agencies access to airline-direct pricing and bundled offers that aren't available through legacy GDS channels.
Travel Pro (NDC-Ready) →WordPress Plugin
A software add-on that extends WordPress functionality. Custom plugins are built for specific business needs not covered by existing marketplace plugins.
Why it matters: Custom plugins integrate directly into your existing WordPress site, avoiding the cost and complexity of a separate platform.
WordPress Plugin Development →Theatre Management Software
Software designed for theatre companies, schools, and performing arts organizations to manage ticket sales, seating, check-in, and event operations.
Why it matters: General-purpose ticketing platforms lack theatre-specific features like seat map builders and reserved seating. Purpose-built tools reduce setup time and improve the patron experience.
CurtainCall Ticketing →Event Ticketing Software
A platform that enables organizations to sell tickets online, manage seating, process payments, and check in attendees at the door.
Why it matters: Replaces manual ticket sales, spreadsheets, and cash-at-the-door workflows with a professional, automated system.
CurtainCall Ticketing →Real Estate CRM Software
Customer relationship management software built for real estate agents and brokerages. Includes lead tracking, pipeline management, IDX/MLS integration, and automated follow-up.
Why it matters: Generic CRMs don't understand real estate workflows. A purpose-built CRM connects leads to listings and automates the follow-up that closes deals.
Realtor Hub →Travel Agency Booking Software
Software that enables travel agencies to search, book, and manage travel inventory across airlines, hotels, and car rentals via GDS connections.
Why it matters: Replaces fragmented booking workflows with a unified platform for search, booking, client management, and reporting.
Travel Pro →Hosting Management Platform
A SaaS platform for web hosting companies to manage products, customers, billing, and support in one interface.
Why it matters: Legacy platforms like WHMCS have dated interfaces and per-client pricing. Modern platforms offer flat-rate pricing and better customer experiences.
Host Pro →WHMCS
Web Host Manager Complete Solution — a legacy billing and automation platform used by web hosting companies since 2005.
Why it matters: WHMCS is the industry standard but has a dated interface and per-client pricing model. Host Pro by Metorox is designed as a modern replacement.
Host Pro vs WHMCS →GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
The practice of optimizing content to appear in AI-generated search results — like Google's AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.
Why it matters: As AI search grows, traditional SEO alone isn't enough. GEO ensures your business is cited by AI assistants when users ask relevant questions.
SEO & GEO Services →Docker
A containerization platform that packages applications and their dependencies into isolated containers for consistent deployment.
Why it matters: Ensures your application runs identically in development, staging, and production. Also provides data isolation between tenants in multi-tenant SaaS.
Custom Development →REST API
Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface — a standard way for software systems to communicate over HTTP.
Why it matters: REST APIs enable your software to integrate with third-party services, mobile apps, and other internal systems.
Custom Development →Stripe
A payment processing platform used by millions of businesses for online transactions, subscriptions, and invoicing.
Why it matters: Stripe handles PCI compliance, fraud detection, and multi-currency support so you don't have to build payment infrastructure from scratch.
Products Using Stripe →Seat Map Builder
An interactive tool that lets venue operators create visual seating layouts with drag-and-drop placement, section grouping, and accessibility designations.
Why it matters: Eliminates manual seating charts. Patrons select their exact seats online, reducing box office workload and improving the ticket-buying experience.
Seat Map Builder Features →QR Code Check-In
A mobile check-in system where attendees present a QR code on their phone or printed ticket, which is scanned at the door for instant verification.
Why it matters: Speeds up entry, eliminates paper guest lists, and provides real-time attendance data to event organizers.
CurtainCall Mobile Check-In →White-Label Software
Software that is rebranded and resold under another company's name. The end user sees the reseller's branding, not the original developer's.
Why it matters: Allows hosting companies, agencies, and resellers to offer professional software products under their own brand without building from scratch.
Host Pro (White-Label Portal) →Lead Routing
The automated process of assigning incoming leads to the right salesperson or agent based on rules like geography, specialty, or availability.
Why it matters: Ensures leads get a fast response from the right person, increasing conversion rates and reducing response time.
Lead Routing for Real Estate →Canned Response
A pre-written reply template used in support ticketing systems to quickly answer common questions without typing a full response each time.
Why it matters: Reduces support response time by 50–70% for common inquiries while maintaining consistent, professional communication.
Support Pro →Need Custom Software?
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