4.9. Key Terms

Chapter 4

Android: A mobile operating system (OS) based on the Linux kernel and currently developed by Google. (4.2)

Application Software: An application is a set of computer program designed to permit the user to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or activities. It cannot run on itself but is dependent on the OS. (4.2) and (4.3)

Cloud Computing: The practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer. (4.3)

Collaborative Systems: These systems allowed users to brainstorm ideas together without the necessity of physical, face-to-face meetings. (4.3)

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): An approach to managing a company’s interactions with current and future customers. It often involves using technology to organize, automate, and synchronize sales, marketing, customer service, and technical support. (4.5)

Database Management System (DBMS): Stores and retrieves the data that an application creates and uses. Although the DBMS is itself considered an application, it’s often useful to think of a firm’s database systems as sitting above the operating system, but under the enterprise applications. (4.4)

Desktop Software: Refers to applications installed on a personal computer—your browser, your Office suite, photo editors, and computer games are all desktop software (4.4)

Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP): A software application utilizing a central database that is implemented throughout the entire organization. (4.4)

Enterprise Software: Refers to applications that address the needs of multiple, simultaneous users in an organization or work group. Most companies run various forms of enterprise software programs to keep track of their inventory, record sales, manage payments to suppliers, cut employee paychecks, and handle other functions (4.4)

LINUX/UNIX: Linux is a version of the Unix operating system that runs on the personal computer. Unix is an operating system used primarily by scientists and engineers on larger minicomputers. (4.7)

iOS(iPhone OS): An operating system used for mobile devices manufactured by Apple Inc. (4.2)

“Killer” App: An application viewed as so desirable by consumers that it can influence them to purchase devices or applications that include it. (4.3)

Mobile Applications: Programs that run on tablet computers and smartphones. (4.5)

Open Source: Software that can be freely used, changed, and shared (in modified or unmodified form) by anyone. (4.7)

Operating Systems: The program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all the other programs in a computer. (4.2)

Private Cloud: A particular model of cloud computing that involves a distinct and secure cloud based environment in which only the specified client can operate. (4.5)

Productivity Software: Software applications have become standard tools for the workplace. For example, Excel or spreadsheet software.(4.3)

SAP: Systems, Applications & Products in Data Processing. A German multinational software corporation that makes enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations. (4.4)

Software as a service (SaaS): Is software that is rented rather than purchased. It is subscription based. Software as a service gives companies access to a large assortment of software packages without having to invest in hardware or install and maintain software on its own computers. (4.5)

Software: A set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. (4.1)

Virtualization: Refers to the act of creating a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, including (but not limited to) a virtual computer hardware platform, operating system (OS), storage device, or computer network resources. (4.5)

Windows: Microsoft’s operating system. (4.2)

Adapted from Information Systems for Business and Beyond Glossary by Ruth Guthrie licensed under a CC-BY-3.0