Technology Dictionary
Click the letter of the alphabet that matches the subject that you are interested in.
All library electronic documents are provided in Adobe Acrobat file format.
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A
Automated Information System
An assembly of computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of these, configured to accomplish specific information-handling operations, such as communication, computation, dissemination, processing, and storage of information. Included are computers, word processing systems, networks, or other electronic information handling systems, and associated equipment.
B
Business Model
Describes a broad range of informal and formal models that are used by enterprises to represent various aspects of business, such as operational processes, organizational structures, and financial forecasts.
C
Conditioned Based Maintenance (CBM)
A system that uses real-time data to prioritize and optimize maintenance resources. That system will determine the equipment's health, and act only when maintenance is actually necessary.
Corporate Performance Management (CPM)
A concept introduced by Gartner Research in 2001, which "all of the processes, methodologies, metrics and systems needed to measure and manage the performance of an organization."
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Operational CRM provides support to “front office" business processes, including sales, marketing, and service.
D
Demand Driven Manufacturing
The real-time flexibility and responsiveness to change production to provide customers exactly what they want, when they want it and where they want it...profitably
E
Electronic Business (E-Business)
Coined by Lou Gerstner, CEO of IBM, it may be defined broadly as any business process that relies on an automated information system. Today, this is mostly done with Web-based technologies. Electronic business methods enable companies to link their internal and external data processing systems more efficiently and flexibly, to work more closely with suppliers and partners, and to better satisfy the needs and expectations of their customers.
Engineer to Order (ETO)
Also known as “Project-based manufacturing”, these companies produce a specific product for a specific customer.
Enterprise Application Software
Application software that performs business functions such as accounting, production scheduling, customer information tracking, bank account maintenance, and the like. It is almost always hosted on servers, and is used by multiple employees of the same organization.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
These systems integrate (or attempt to integrate) all data and processes of an organization into a unified system.
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Human Resource Management (HRM)
The goal of human resource management is to help an organization to meet strategic goals, be attracting and maintaining employees, and also to manage them effectively.
Human Capital Management (HCM)
The goal of human resource management is to help an organization to meet strategic goals, be attracting and maintaining employees, and also to manage them effectively.
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IFS
The global enterprise applications company providing software solutions that enable organizations to become more agile. Founded in 1983, IFS pioneered component-based enterprise resources planning (ERP) software with IFS Applications, now in its seventh generation. IFS’ component architecture provides solutions that are easier to implement, run, and upgrade, that gives companies the flexibility to respond quickly to market changes, new business opportunities, and new technologies.
IFS Applications
Based on web and portal technology, this software offers 60+ enterprise application components used in manufacturing, supply chain management, customer relationship management, financials, engineering, maintenance and human resource administration.
Integration
Assembling different systems, programs, and structures to allow for smooth transition and traffic of information from one system, program, or structure to another. Integration allows for a quicker interaction with your company’s IT systems and added simplicity
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JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is a complete suite of modular, pre-integrated industry-specific business applications designed for rapid deployment and ease of administration on a pure internet architecture. It is ideally suited for organizations that manufacture, construct, distribute, service, or manage products or physical assets.
JD Edwards World
Oracle's JD Edwards World is the leading enterprise software solution for the IBM iSeries platform. The applications offer small businesses a reliable, functionality-rich, web-enabled environment for world-class management of plants, inventories, equipment, finances, and people as a synchronized, integrated whole and are tightly integrated and pre-bundled on a single database, reducing implementation cost and complexity.
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Logistics
The art and science of managing and controlling the flow of goods, energy, information and other resources like products, services, and people, from the source of production to the marketplace.
M
Maintenance, Repair, & Operations(MRO)
Fixing any sort of mechanical or electrical devices, should it get out of order or broken (repair) as well as performing the routine actions which keep the device in working condition.
Management Information Systems (MIS)
A general name for the academic discipline covering the application of people, technologies, and procedures — collectively called the information system — to solve business problems.
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Oracle
Established 30 years ago, Oracle is the world's largest provider of enterprise application software today. Oracle is the first software company to develop and deploy 100 percent internet-enabled enterprise software across its entire product line: database, business applications, and application development and decision support tools. Oracle is also owner of the JD Edwards line of solutions.
Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE)
A measure comparing how well manufacturing equipment is running to the ideal plant.
P
Portal Interface
A customized, browser-based way of accessing an ERP system that mimics the look and feel of the internet. This browser-based set-up allows for little or no training of employees accessing the ERP system and overall easier use of ERP tools.
Process Modeling
Sometimes known as Business Process Modeling (BPM), it is the activity of representing both the current ("as is") and future ("to be") processes of an enterprise, so that the current process may be analyzed and improved. BPM is typically performed by business analysts and managers who are seeking to improve process efficiency and quality. The process improvements identified by BPM may or may not require IT involvement, although that is a common driver for the need to model a business process.
Project
A temporary and one-time endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service, that brings about beneficial change or added value.
Project Management
The discipline of organizing and managing resources in such a way that these resources deliver all the work required to complete a project within defined scope, quality, time and cost constraints.
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Quality Management
A method for ensuring that all the activities necessary to design, develop and implement a product or service are effective and efficient with respect to the system and its performance.
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Return on Investment (ROI)
A performance measurement used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment or to compare the efficiency of a number of different investments. To calculate ROI, the benefit (return) of an investment is divided by the cost of the investment the result is expressed as a percentage or a ratio. Return on investment is a very popular metric because of its versatility and simplicity. That is, if an investment does not have a positive ROI, or if there are other opportunities with a higher ROI, then the investment should be not be undertaken.
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Supply Chain Planning/Management (SCM)
Integrate the key business processes from end user through original suppliers that provides products, services and information that add value for customers and other stakeholders. The basic idea behind the SCM is that companies and corporations involved in a supply chain by exchanging information regarding market fluctuations, production capabilities etc. can rationalize the processes involved in the supply chain resulting in mutual gains.
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Total cost of ownership (TCO)
A financial estimate designed to help consumers and enterprise managers assess direct and indirect costs related to the purchase of any capital investment, such as (but not limited to) computer software or hardware. It is a form of full cost accounting limited to costs clearly associated with given devices and systems.
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Webcast/Webinar
An online communication tool allowing for real time application sharing and teleconferencing. Often used for educational purposes.
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