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API
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Application programming interface. A well-definted interface presented by one software program that allows another program (as opposed to a human user) to make requests of that program.
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Applet
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A small application written in Java, such as a utitlity program or an animated component within a web page.
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Application
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A piece of software that performs business functionality.
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Application server
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A software application that provides the runtime infrastructure and development services necessary to deploy applications or components in a multi-tiered architecture supporting web and other client interfaces.
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ASP
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Application service provider. A company that provides software application capabilities on a rental basis according to a service-level agreement.
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B2B
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Business-to-business. Transactions carried out over the Web between one business to another.
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Bandwith
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A measure of information-carrying capacity on a communications channel.The greater the bandwidth, the greater the information-carrying capacity. Bandwidth is measured in Hertz (analogue) or bits per second(digital).
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Browser
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A software application that enables a user to view information placed on an Internet site or corporate intranet via an electronic device, such as a PC. The browser seeks to present the information - written in hypertext mark-up language (HTML) or a derivative of it - on the user's device in the most appropriate form.
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Business Application
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The umbrella term for software applications that are used to run business processes. The category includes enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management, customer relationship management (CRM).
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CDMA
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Code division multiple access. A method of frequency re-use whereby many radios use the same frequency, but each one has a unique code.
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CDMA 1X
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An upgrade to CDMA networks that enables them to deliver packet data services, and to provide access bandwidth of up to 163 kbps on the Bell network.
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CDMA 2000
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A CDMA version of the IMT-2000 standard.
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Circuit switching
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Fixed amount of capacity exclusively available to traffic from one particular transmission : for example, a voice call or an email message. No other traffic has access to that part of the network for the duration of the transmission.
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CRM
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Customer Relationship Management. A concept for managing customer relationships across customer-facing functions - sales, service, marketing and other points of contact with customers.
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Encryption
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The process of disguising the text of a message in order to hide its content, thus providing confidentiality.
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Firewall
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A firewall filters traffic entering and leaving a private network; for example, at the interface between a corporate intranet and the internet. It prevents unauthorized external users accessing the private network, and can control which external resources can be accessed from the private network.
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GPRS
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General packet radio service. GPRS is an enhancement to cellular phone
networks, as it enables them to carry packet-switched data traffic.
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GPS
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Global Positioning System. A constellation of 24 satellites orbiting the earth at a very high altitude. GPS satellites transmit signals that allow one to determine, with great accuracy, the locations of GPS receivers. The receivers can be fixed on the Earth, in moving vehicles, aircraft or in low-earth orbiting satellites. GPS is used in air, land and sea navigation, mapping, surveying and other applications where precise positioning is necessary.
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GSM
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Global system of mobile communications. The standard for digital cellular systems used throughout Europe and in other countries around the world, operation in several frequency bands.
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HTML
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Hypertext mark-up language. A formatting standard that enables text files to be enriched with multiple text styles, images and hypertext links. HTML's main use is for web pages.
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Intranet
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A private network using the same foundation technologies as the internet.
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ISP
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Internet service provider. Service provider supplying IP-based access to the Internet either to end-user customers or on a wholesale basis to other ISPs.
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J2ME
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Java 2 micro-edition. A family of Java-environment specifications designed to be employed in consumer appliances and embedded systems.
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Java
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A platform-independent, object oriented 3GL developed by Sun Microsystems.
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KB
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Kilobyte.
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Kbit/s
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a measure of transmission speed. A transmission rate of 1kbit/s correspond to 1000 bits per second.
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Legacy system
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Computer system built using older technology that is still used by the business.
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MP3
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Motion Picture Experts Group Layer 3. A popular compression format that enables the distribution of music files. MP3 files can be played on PCs or dedicated MP3 player devices.
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MPEG
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Motion Picture Expert Group, which has developed digital compression technologies for audio storage, video storage and digital television.
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OS
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Operating system. A piece of software that administers the basic operation of a computer.
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Packet Switching
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On a packet-switched network, the data forming a whole transmission, for example, a voice call - is broken up into a series of packets. Each individual packet is routed and carried separately across the network, using whatever capacity is available at the time. The packets are resequenced and reassembled when they reach their destination.
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PCS
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Personal Communications Services
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PDA
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Personal Digital Assistant. A palm-top computer that performs specific computing tasks, such as an electronic diary or organizer.
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PIM
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Personal Information Management
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Portal
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A single interface through which a user accesses multiple services and sets of content. Portals can give access to mobile networks or the internet, or both.
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Smartphone
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A mobile phone with microbrowser functionality
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SMS
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Short message services. The sending and receiving of short alphanumeric messages to and from mobile handsets on a cellular mobile network.
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WAP
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Wireless Appplication Protocol. A widely backed standard that supports internet content access and call management functionality for small screen wireless devices
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Wireless portal
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A concentration of content and applications that is available over the mobile network using a handheld terminal. Initially, wireless portals are likely to be an adjunct to fixed portals, with content and services optimized for mobile delivery.
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VPN
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Virtual Private Network
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