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.

revenue cycle management (RCM) - Revenue cycle management (RCM) is the financial process, utilizing medical billing software, that healthcare facilities use to track patient care episodes from registration and appointment scheduling to the final payment of a balance to ensure proper identification, collection and management of revenues from patient services.
RFx - RFx (request for x) encompasses the entire formal request process and can include request for bid (RFB), request for information (RFI), request for proposal (RFP), request for quotation (RFQ) and request for tender (RFT).
risk-based patch management (RBPM) - Risk-based patch management (RBPM) is an approach to implementing patches to fix software code that prioritizes patches that address security issues posing the highest risk to the organization.
rolling deployment - A rolling deployment is the installation of software updates on one server or server subset at a time, rather than updating all servers or server subsets at the same time.
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) - RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) refers to a set of tools from Microsoft that enable IT administrators to remotely manage roles and features in Windows Server from a computer that is running Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1.
runlevel - A runlevel is an operating state on a Unix and Unix-based operating system that is preset on the Linux-based system.
SaltStack - SaltStack, often referred to as simply "Salt," is an open source configuration management and orchestration tool for automating repeated system administrative and code deployment tasks.
SAP Business One - SAP Business One is an ERP software platform specifically intended for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Seebeck effect - The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon in which a temperature difference between two dissimilar electrical conductors or semiconductors produces a voltage difference between the two substances.
serial peripheral interface (SPI) - A serial peripheral interface (SPI) is an interface commonly used in computers and embedded systems to facilitate short-distance communication between a microcontroller and one or more peripheral integrated circuits (ICs).
server hardware degradation - Server hardware degradation is the gradual breakdown of the physical parts of a server.
service assurance (SA) - Service assurance (SA) is a procedure or set of procedures intended to optimize performance and provide management guidance in communications networks, media services and end-user applications.
service virtualization - Service virtualization is the process of creating replicas of systems that new applications depend on to test how well the application and systems integrate.
service-level agreement (SLA) - A service-level agreement (SLA) is a contract between a service provider and its customers that documents what services the provider will furnish and defines the service standards the provider is obligated to meet.
ServiceNow - ServiceNow is a software company that provides a cloud-based, AI-driven platform for automating multiple management workflows in enterprises.
seven wastes - The seven wastes are categories of unproductive manufacturing practices identified by Taiichi Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System (TPS).
shared services - Shared services is a delivery model organizations use to consolidate similar business functions into a single unit that supports the entire organization.
shift-left testing - Shift-left testing is a software testing approach in which the code is tested in the earlier stages of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
sidecar proxy - A sidecar proxy is an application design pattern which abstracts certain features, such as inter-service communications, monitoring and security, away from the main architecture to ease the tracking and maintenance of an application.
SIPOC (suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, customers) diagram - A SIPOC (suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, customers) diagram is a visual tool for documenting a business process from beginning to end prior to implementation.
site reliability engineer - Site reliability engineer is a job title for a specialist who works with software developers to ensure that an organization's computing systems are scalable, stable and predictable.
SMB (small and medium-sized business or small and midsize business) - SMB is an abbreviation for a small and medium-sized business, sometimes called a small and midsize business.
sound card - A sound card is a computer component responsible for generating and recording audio.
star network - A star network is a local area network (LAN) topology in which all nodes -- personal computers (PCs), workstations or other devices -- are directly connected to a common central computer that is often referred to as a hub.
statement of work (SOW) - A statement of work (SOW), in project management, is a document in which a contracting officer or chief procurement officer (CPO) specifies the objectives and deliverables for a particular project or service contract.
STONITH (Shoot The Other Node In The Head) - STONITH (Shoot The Other Node In The Head) is a Linux service for maintaining the integrity of nodes in a high-availability (HA) cluster.
strategic management - Strategic management is the ongoing planning, monitoring, analysis and assessment of all necessities an organization needs to meet its goals and objectives.
strategic planning - Strategic planning is a process in which an organization's leaders define their vision for the future and identify their organization's goals and objectives.
super app - A super app is a mobile or web application that combines multiple services into one platform.
supplier relationship management (SRM) - Supplier relationship management (SRM) is a systematic approach to evaluating and partnering with vendors that supply goods, materials and services to an organization, determining each supplier's contribution to success, and developing strategies to improve their performance.
supply chain - A supply chain is the network of all the individuals, organizations, resources, activities and technology involved in the creation and sale of a product.
supply chain management (SCM) - Supply chain management (SCM) is the optimization of a product's creation and flow from raw material sourcing to production, logistics and delivery to the final customer.
Sysprep (System Preparation Tool) - Sysprep is Microsoft's System Preparation tool intended to duplicate, test and deliver new installations for the Windows operating system based on an established installation.
System Restore (Windows) - System Restore is a Microsoft Windows utility designed to protect and revert the operating system (OS) to a previous state.
systems operator (sysop) - In IT, a systems operator (sysop) is a person who runs computer servers and other devices on a daily basis in a data center.
TCPView - TCPView is a Windows network monitoring utility that shows a graphical representation of all currently active TCP and UDP endpoints on a system.
technical debt - Technical debt -- or tech debt -- is the implied cost incurred when businesses do not fix problems that will affect them in the future.
Terraform - HashiCorp Terraform is an infrastructure as code (IaC) software tool that allows DevOps teams to automate infrastructure provisioning using reusable, shareable, human-readable configuration files.
thyristor - A thyristor is a four-layer semiconductor device, consisting of alternating P-type and N-type materials (PNPN).
touch screen - A touch screen is an electronic display screen that is also an input device.
transaction - In computing, a transaction is a set of related tasks treated as a single action.
trusted execution environment (TEE) - A trusted execution environment (TEE) is an area on the main processor of a device that is separated from the system's main operating system (OS).
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) - A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a specialized chip on a device designed to secure hardware with cryptographic keys.
turbine - A turbine is a machine that plays a key role in transforming fluid or air energy into usable work or electricity.
Universal Naming Convention (UNC) - The Universal Naming Convention (UNC) is a standard for naming resources -- such as files and devices -- that are shared by computers on a network.
value chain - A value chain is a concept describing the full chain of a business's activities in creating a product or service -- from initial receipt of materials through its delivery to market.
value proposition - A value proposition is a statement that clearly identifies the benefits a company's products and services will deliver to its customers.
value-added reseller (VAR) - A value-added reseller (VAR) is a company that resells software, hardware, and other products and services that provide value beyond the original order fulfillment.
Vblock (VCE Vblock) - Vblock (VCE Vblock) is a family of converged infrastructure (CI) systems from Dell EMC that integrate advanced compute, network and storage technologies from three industry leaders: VMware, Cisco and Dell EMC.
vendor management system (VMS) - A vendor management system (VMS) is an enterprise software platform that helps companies control the process of procuring and managing a flexible workforce.
vendor-managed inventory (VMI) - Vendor-managed inventory (VMI) is an inventory management technique in which the supplier of goods, usually the manufacturer, is responsible for optimizing the inventory a distributor holds.
virtual CPU (vCPU) - A virtual CPU (vCPU) is the processor of a virtual machine (VM).
Virtual Machine Disk format (VMDK) - VMware Virtual Machine Disk format (VMDK) is a format specification for virtual machine (VM) disk image files.
VRAM (video RAM) - VRAM (video RAM) refers to any type of random access memory (RAM) specifically used to store image data for a computer display.
VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) - VUCA is an acronym that stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity -- qualities that make a situation or condition difficult to analyze, respond to or plan for.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive - The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is a legislative act that the European Union adopted to address the growing amounts of e-waste that come from electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) at the end of its life.
What are COTS, MOTS, GOTS and NOTS? - COTS, MOTS, GOTS and NOTS are abbreviations that describe prepackaged software or -- less commonly -- hardware purchase alternatives.
What are functional requirements? - Functional requirements are the desired operations of a program or system.
What are hot and cold aisles in the data center? - Hot and cold aisles in the data center are part of an energy-efficient layout for server racks and other computing equipment.
What are microservices? Everything you need to know - Microservices, or microservices architecture, is an approach to the design and implementation of enterprise applications in which a large application is built from modular components or services.
What are ModelOps (model operations) analytics models? - ModelOps (model operations) is a holistic approach to building analytics models that can quickly progress from the lab to production.
What are soft skills? - Soft skills are personal attributes that support situational awareness and enhance an individual's ability to get a job done.
What is a batch file? - A batch file is a script file that stores commands to be executed in a serial order.
What is a bill of materials (BOM)? - A bill of materials (BOM) is a comprehensive inventory of the raw materials, assemblies, subassemblies, parts and components, as well as the quantities of each, needed to manufacture a product.
What is a cloud-native application? - A cloud-native application is a program that is designed for a cloud computing architecture.
What is a collaborative robot (cobot)? - A collaborative robot, also known as a cobot, is an industrial robot that can safely operate alongside humans in a shared workspace.
What is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)? - A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is the semiconductor technology used in most of today's integrated circuits (ICs), also known as chips or microchips.
What is a compliance framework? - A compliance framework is a structured set of guidelines that details an organization's processes for maintaining accordance with established regulations, specifications or legislation.
What is a configuration file? - A configuration file, often shortened to config file, defines the parameters, options, settings and preferences applied to operating systems (OSes), infrastructure devices and applications in an IT context.
What is a configuration management database? - A configuration management database (CMDB) is a file -- usually in the form of a standardized database -- that contains all relevant information about the hardware and software components used in an organization's IT services and the relationships among those components.
What is a container image? - A container image is a fixed, static file with executable code to run an isolated process on IT infrastructure.
What is a CVO (chief visionary officer)? - The CVO (chief visionary officer) is a newer C-suite title where the holder is expected to have a broad and comprehensive knowledge of all matters related to the business of the organization, as well as the vision required to steer its course into the future.
What is a data flow diagram (DFD)? - A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical or visual representation that uses a standardized set of symbols and notations to describe a business's operations through data movement.
What is a domain controller? - A domain controller is a server that processes requests for authentication from users and computers within a computer domain.
What is a motherboard? - A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer.
What is a partition in computers? - A partition is a logical division of a hard disk drive (HDD) that's treated as a separate unit by operating systems (OSes) and file systems.
What is a power distribution unit (PDU)? - A power distribution unit (PDU) is a device for controlling data center electrical power.
What is a programmable automation controller (PAC)? - Programmable automation controller (PAC) is a term that is loosely used to describe any type of automation controller that incorporates higher-level instructions.
What is a request for proposal (RFP)? - A request for proposal (RFP) is a document an organization uses when it's searching for a product or service to meet specific requirements.
What is a service mesh? - A service mesh is a dedicated infrastructure layer that controls service-to-service communication within a distributed application.
What is a software license? - A software license is a document that provides legally binding guidelines for the use and distribution of software.
What is a standard operating procedure (SOP)? - A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions for performing a routine activity.
What is a supercomputer? - A supercomputer is a highly advanced computer that performs at or near the highest operational rate for computers.
What is a template? - A template is a form, mold or pattern used as a guide to create something consistently and efficiently.
What is Amazon Elastic Container Registry (Amazon ECR)? - Amazon Elastic Container Registry (Amazon ECR) is an Amazon Web Service (AWS) product that stores, manages and deploys Docker images, which are managed clusters of Amazon EC2 instances.
What is Amazon? Definition and company history of Amazon.com - Amazon (Amazon.
What is an automated script? - An automated script is a code snippet that executes repetitive or complex tasks such as provisioning infrastructure, managing security vulnerabilities, setting up data pipelines and testing software, with little or no human intervention.
What is an automatic transfer switch? - An automatic transfer switch (ATS) is a device that automatically transfers a power supply from its primary source to a backup source when it senses a failure or outage in the primary source.
What is an ISV (independent software vendor)? - An ISV (independent software vendor) makes and sells software products that work with computer hardware, operating systems (OSes) or software platforms made by another company.
What is an IT service catalog? - An IT service catalog is a list of information technology resources and offerings available from the IT service provider within an organization.
What is an ODM (original design manufacturer)? - An ODM (original design manufacturer) is a company that takes the original specifications of another company or individual and builds the design to the product specifications.
What is an organizational goal? - Organizational goals are strategic objectives that a company's management establishes to outline expected outcomes and guide employees' efforts toward the achievement of those outcomes.
What is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)? - An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a device that allows a computer to keep running for at least a short time when incoming power is interrupted.
What is application lifecycle management? - Application lifecycle management (ALM) is the process of managing a software lifecycle from creation to its end of life.
What is Application Performance Index (Apdex)? - Application Performance Index, also known as Apdex, is an open standard intended to simplify reports of application performance.
What is bit (binary digit) in computing? - A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit of data that a computer can process and store.
What is brain-computer interface (BCI)? - Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a device that translates signals in the brain to control some external activity.
What is change control? - Change control is a systematic approach that includes the various steps needed to process changes made to a product or system.
What is cloud application performance management (cloud APM)? - Cloud application performance management (cloud APM) is the process of monitoring resources that support software application performance in public cloud, private cloud and hybrid cloud environments.
What is cloud orchestration (cloud orchestrator)? - Cloud orchestration (cloud orchestrator) is the use of programming technology to manage the interconnections and interactions among workloads on public and private cloud infrastructure.