Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Terms related to business, including definitions about project management and words and phrases about human resources, finance and vertical industries.

customer lifecycle - In customer relationship management (CRM), customer lifecycle is a term used to describe the progression of steps a customer goes through when considering, purchasing, using and maintaining loyalty to a product or service.
customer satisfaction (CSAT) - Customer satisfaction (CSAT) is a measure of the degree to which a product or service meets customer expectations.
CYOD (choose your own device) - CYOD (choose your own device) is an employee provisioning model in which an organization allows people to select the mobile devices they would like, usually from a limited number of options.
daily stand-up meeting - A daily stand-up meeting is a short organizational meeting that is held each day.
data broker (information broker) - A data broker, also called an information broker or information reseller, is a business that collects large amounts of personal information about consumers.
data modeling - Data modeling is the process of creating a simplified visual diagram of a software system and the data elements it contains, using text and symbols to represent the data and how it flows.
data point - A data point is a discrete unit of information.
days inventory outstanding (DIO) - Days inventory outstanding (DOI) is the average number of days it takes for inventory to be sold.
deal registration - Deal registration is a common feature of vendors' channel partner programs in which a channel partner, such as a value-added reseller (VAR), informs the vendor about a sales lead.
decision tree - A decision tree is a graph that uses a branching method to illustrate every possible output for a specific input.
Dell Technologies Partner Program - The Dell Technologies Partner Program is an international channel partner program that provides partners with business development, sales and marketing resources.
demand signal repository (DSR) - A demand signal repository (DSR) is a database that aggregates sales and demand data at the merchant's point of sale (POS).
descriptive modeling - Descriptive modeling is a mathematical process that describes real-world events and the relationships between factors responsible for them.
digital accessibility - Digital accessibility is design of technology products and environments to help people with various disabilities not be impeded or otherwise unable to partake in use of the service, product or function.
digital core - A digital core is the technology platforms and applications that enable organizations to transform into digital businesses and meet the new needs of the digital economy.
digital enterprise - A digital enterprise is an organization that uses technology as a competitive advantage in its internal and external operations.
digital leadership - Digital leadership is the strategic use of a company's digital assets and emerging technologies to achieve business goals.
digital manufacturing - Digital manufacturing is a technology-based approach to production that links different data silos and processes in the manufacturing lifecycle so that stakeholders can make better business decisions both comprehensively and at each step.
digital profiling - Digital profiling is the process of gathering and analyzing information about an individual that exists online.
digital strategy (digital media strategy) - A digital strategy, sometimes called a digital media strategy, is a plan for maximizing the business benefits of data assets and technology-focused initiatives.
digital supply chain - A digital supply chain is a supply chain whose foundation is built on web-enabled capabilities.
digital thread - A digital thread is a data-driven communication framework that connects traditionally siloed elements in manufacturing processes and provides an integrated view of an asset throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
digital trust - Digital trust is the confidence users have in the ability of people, technology and processes to create a secure digital world.
disambiguation - Disambiguation is the process of determining a word's meaning -- or sense -- within its specific context.
disaster recovery (DR) test - A disaster recovery test is the examination of each step in a disaster recovery plan to ensure that an organization can recover data, restore business critical applications and continue operations after an interruption of services.
discrete manufacturing - Discrete manufacturing is an industry term for the manufacturing of finished products that are distinct items capable of being easily counted, touched or seen.
distributed control system (DCS) - A distributed control system (DCS) is a digital automated industrial control system (ICS) that uses geographically distributed control loops throughout a factory, machine or control area.
distribution center - A distribution center is a product storage and shipping building that stores goods a company produces.
distribution channel - A distribution channel is the network of individuals and organizations involved in getting a product or service from the producer to the customer.
distribution requirements planning (DRP) - Distribution requirements planning (DRP) is a systematic process to make the delivery of goods more efficient by determining which goods, in what quantities and at what location, are required to meet anticipated demand.
distributor agreement (distribution agreement) - A distributor agreement, also known as a distribution agreement, is a contract between channel partners that stipulates the responsibilities of both parties.
DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) - DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) is Six Sigma tool for improving an existing process.
dogfood - Dogfood is an expression that means to use the product or service that you are trying to sell.
dropshipping - Dropshipping is an e-commerce retail model that allows stores to sell products without keeping any physical inventory.
dual sourcing - Dual sourcing is the supply chain management practice of using two suppliers for a given component, raw material, product or service.
e-recruitment (e-recruiting) - E-recruitment is an umbrella term for any electronic-based recruiting and recruitment management activity.
emergency communications plan (EC plan) - An emergency communications plan (EC plan) is a document that provides guidelines, contact information and procedures for how information should be shared during all phases of an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action.
employee churn - Employee churn is the overall turnover in an organization's staff as existing employees leave and new ones are hired.
employee engagement - Employee engagement is the emotional and professional connection an employee feels toward their organization, colleagues and work.
employee onboarding and offboarding - Employee onboarding involves all the steps needed to get a new employee successfully deployed and productive, while offboarding involves separating an employee from a firm.
employee productivity - Employee productivity, sometimes referred to as workforce productivity, is an assessment of the efficiency of a worker or group of workers.
end of life (EOL) - End of life (EOL), in the context of manufacturing and product lifecycles, is the final stages of a product's existence.
engineering bill of materials (EBOM) - An engineering bill of materials (EBOM) is a product recipe structured from the design standpoint, rather than the manufacturing standpoint.
Enterprise 2.0 - Enterprise 2.
enterprise architecture framework - An enterprise architecture framework (or simply EA framework) is the collection of processes, templates and tools that software teams use to plan and build large, enterprise-grade application architecture systems.
enterprise asset management (EAM) - Enterprise asset management (EAM) is the process of managing the lifecycle of physical assets to maximize their use; save money; improve quality and efficiency; and safeguard health, safety and the environment.
enterprise document management (EDM) - Enterprise document management (EDM) is a strategy for overseeing an organization's paper and electronic documents so they can be easily retrieved in the event of a compliance audit or subpoena.
enterprise IT (enterprise-class IT) - Enterprise-class IT (also known as enterprise-grade, or enterprise IT) is hardware, software and other IT services designed to meet the demands of a large organization.
enterprise mobility - Enterprise mobility is an approach to work in which employees can do their jobs from anywhere using a variety of devices and applications.
ERP (enterprise resource planning) - ERP, or enterprise resource planning, is software designed to manage and integrate the functions of core business processes like finance, HR, supply chain and inventory management in a single system.
ERP finance module - The ERP finance module is the software component that handles the main accounting and financial management functions of an enterprise resource planning system.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) - The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is United States federal legislation that promotes accuracy, fairness and privacy for data used by consumer reporting agencies.
Fast Guide to acronyms used in manufacturing - The following glossary or acronyms are those most used in internal communications within the manufacturing industry.
fishbone diagram - A fishbone diagram, also known as an Ishikawa diagram, or a cause-and-effect diagram, is a visualization tool for categorizing the potential causes of a problem.
FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) - FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) is a step-by-step approach for collecting knowledge about possible points of failure in a design, manufacturing process, product or service.
G-code - G-code (also known as geometric code or RS-274) is the most prevalent programming language for computer numerical control (CNC) machines used in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM).
GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) - GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) is a collection of commonly followed accounting rules and standards for financial reporting.
Genchi Genbutsu - Genchi Genbutsu is the Japanese principle of going to and directly observing a location and its conditions in order to understand and solve any problems faster and more effectively.
globalization - Globalization is the process by which ideas, knowledge, information, goods and services spread around the world.
go-live (go live) - Go-live is the time at which something becomes available for use.
go-to-market strategy - A go-to-market strategy (GTM strategy) is an action plan that specifies how a company will bring a new product or service to market while reaching its target customers.
Google Trends - Google Trends is a free service provided by Google that displays how often specific keywords, subjects and phrases have been searched for on Google over a period of time.
GR/IR clearing account (goods receipt/invoice receipt clearing account) - A GR/IR clearing account (goods receipt/invoice receipt clearing account) is a bookkeeping device that can be used when goods arrive before the invoice is generated or when an invoice arrives before the goods are delivered.
gross revenue - Gross revenue is the total of all money generated by a business, without taking into account any part of that total that has been or will be used for expenses.
hard skills - Hard skills are specific abilities, capabilities and skill sets that an individual can possess and demonstrate in a measured way.
Hawthorne effect - The Hawthorne effect is the modification of behavior by study participants in response to their knowledge that they are being observed or singled out for special treatment.
holacracy - A holacracy is a governance structure characterized by a distribution of power among self-organizing groups, rather than the typical top-down hierarchical corporate culture model.
holistic (holistic technology) - Holistic technology is an approach to IT management that considers the infrastructure as a whole instead of as a collection of individual systems.
hosted services - Hosted services are applications, IT infrastructure components or functions that organizations access from external service providers, typically through an internet connection.
HRIS (human resource information system) - A human resource information system (HRIS) is software that aids organizations in managing and automating core human resource (core HR) processes.
human capital management (HCM) - Human capital management (HCM) is a comprehensive set of practices and tools used for recruiting, managing and developing employees as a valuable business 'asset' rather than just as a business 'cost.
hybrid ERP - Hybrid ERP is a combination of on-premises enterprise resource planning systems for managing essential business processes, such as financials and manufacturing, and cloud software for more specific functions.
hybrid manufacturing - Hybrid manufacturing is a term that describes combining additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing in a single machine system.
identity management (ID management) - Identity management (ID management) is the organizational process for ensuring individuals have the appropriate access to technology resources.
implied consent - Implied consent is an assumption of permission to do something that is inferred from an individual's actions rather than explicitly provided.
inbound marketing - Inbound marketing is a strategy that focuses on attracting customers, or leads, via company-created internet content, thereby having potential customers come to the organization rather than marketers vying for their attention.
Industry 4.0 - Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution and the cyber-physical transformation of manufacturing.
information - Information is the output that results from analyzing, contextualizing, structuring, interpreting or in other ways processing data.
information governance - Information governance is a holistic approach to managing corporate information by implementing processes, roles, controls and metrics that treat information as a valuable business asset.
information lifecycle management (ILM) - Information lifecycle management (ILM) is a comprehensive approach to managing an organization's data and associated metadata, starting with its creation and acquisition through when it becomes obsolete and is deleted.
information technology (IT) director - An information technology (IT) director is the person in charge of technology within an organization.
initial public offering (IPO) - An initial public offering (IPO) is the event when a privately held organization initially offers stock shares in the company on a public stock exchange.
innovation culture - Innovation culture is the work environment that leaders cultivate to nurture unorthodox thinking and its application.
innovation management - Innovation management involves the process of managing an organization's innovation procedure, starting at the initial stage of ideation, to its final stage of successful implementation.
insourcing - Insourcing is a business practice in which work that would otherwise have been contracted out is performed in house.
integrated accounting system - An integrated accounting system is a type of software that combines major financial accounting functions into one application.
intellectual property (IP) - Intellectual property (IP) is a term for any intangible asset that is the product of someone's mind.
internet metering - Internet metering is a service model in which an internet service provider (ISP) keeps track of bandwidth use and charges users accordingly.
inventory turns (inventory turnover) - Inventory turns, also referred to as inventory turnover and inventory turnover ratio, are a popular measurement used in inventory management to assess operational and supply chain efficiency.
IT asset - An IT asset is any company-owned information, system or hardware that is used in the course of business activities.
IT budget - IT budget is the amount of money spent on an organization's information technology systems and services.
IT consultant - A consultant is an experienced individual in a given field who provides expert advice for a fee.
IT controls - An IT control is a procedure or policy that provides a reasonable assurance that the information technology (IT) used by an organization operates as intended, that data is reliable and that the organization is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
IT cost structure - IT cost structure refers to the relationship between different types of expenditures within a larger IT budget.
IT incident management - IT incident management is a component of IT service management (ITSM) that aims to rapidly restore services to normal following an incident while minimizing adverse effects on the business.
IT innovation - IT (information technology) innovation in an enterprise is about using technology in new ways, where the result is a more efficient organization and an improved alignment between technology initiatives and business goals.
IT organization (information technology organization) - An IT organization (information technology organization) is the department within a company that's charged with establishing, monitoring and maintaining information technology systems and services.
IT strategic plan (information technology strategic plan) - An IT strategic plan is a document that details the comprehensive technology-enabled business management processes an organization uses to guide operations.
IT strategy (information technology strategy) - IT strategy (information technology strategy) is a comprehensive plan that outlines how technology should be used to meet IT and business goals.
ITAR and EAR compliance - The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are two important U.