IT management

Learn about the core elements of IT management, including operations, tech support and personal computing, as well as terms related to IT careers, certifications and project management.

Certifications

This glossary contains definitions related to IT Certifications.

View All Certifications Definitions

IT career paths

View All IT career paths Definitions Back to Top

IT Operations

Terms related to the processes and services implemented and managed by an organization’s information technology (IT) department. Topics covered include systems management, configuration management, API management and DevOps, as well as real-time performance monitoring and management.

  • What is real user monitoring (RUM)?

    Real user monitoring (RUM) is a type of performance monitoring that records user interactions with a website or application.

  • What is IT asset management (ITAM)?

    IT asset management (ITAM) is a set of business practices that combines financial, inventory and contractual functions to optimize spending and support lifecycle management and strategic decision-making within the IT environment.

  • What is McKesson Corp.?

    McKesson Corp. is among the largest and oldest healthcare companies in the United States, specializing in pharmaceutical distribution, medical supply chain management and health IT solutions.

View All IT Operations Definitions Back to Top

Personal computing

Terms related to personal computers, including definitions about computers sold as consumer products and words and phrases about laptops, tablets and smartphones.

  • Samsung Galaxy

    Samsung Galaxy is a product line of Android smartphones, tablets and internet of things devices manufactured by Samsung Electronics.

  • What is ping and how does it work?

    Ping (Packet Internet Groper) is a basic internet program that enables a user to test and verify if a particular destination Internet Protocol (IP) address is reachable and can respond to network requests.

  • What is RCS messaging (RCS chat)? Explaining how to use it

    RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is a messaging protocol used in mobile devices.

View All Personal computing Definitions Back to Top

Project management

Terms related to project management, including definitions about project management methodologies and tools.

  • What is a change agent (agent of change)?

    A change agent, or agent of change, is someone who promotes change and enables it to happen within any group or organization.

  • What is segregation of duties (SoD)?

    Segregation of duties (SoD) is an internal control mechanism designed to prevent errors and fraud by ensuring at least two individuals are responsible for the separate parts of any task.

  • What is the gig economy?

    A gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and organizations hire independent workers for short-term commitments.

View All Project management Definitions Back to Top

Technical support

Terms related to computer fundamentals, including computer hardware definitions and words and phrases about software, operating systems, peripherals and troubleshooting.

  • What is systems thinking?

    Systems thinking is a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on the way that a system's constituent parts interrelate and how systems work over time and within the context of larger systems.

  • What is ping and how does it work?

    Ping (Packet Internet Groper) is a basic internet program that enables a user to test and verify if a particular destination Internet Protocol (IP) address is reachable and can respond to network requests.

  • What is OEM (original equipment manufacturer)?

    An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is a company that produces hardware or software that is later marketed and sold under another company's brand.

View All Technical support Definitions Back to Top