MIS - S5 - FINAL

Client/Server Computing

A setup where some computers request things and other computers provide them. Each does what it's best at.

Cloud computing

Using computers, storage, and software over the internet instead of having them physically at your location.

Ethernet

Standard networking cable technology.

Hybrid cloud

Using both your own computers/servers AND rented cloud services together.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Renting basic computer equipment (servers, storage) over the internet instead of buying it.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Renting a ready-made environment to build and run your apps without worrying about the underlying computer stuff.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Using software through a website instead of installing it on your computer (like Gmail or Netflix).

Legacy System

Old computer systems that companies keep using because replacing them would be too expensive or complicated.

On-demand computing

Paying for extra computer power only when you need it, like paying for extra electricity during peak hours.

Open source software

Free software where anyone can see and modify the code.

Operating system

The main software that runs your computer (like Windows or macOS).

Private Cloud

A company's own personal cloud system that only their employees can use.

Public Cloud

Cloud services that anyone can pay to use (like Google Drive or AWS).

Quantum computing

Super-advanced computers that can process multiple calculations at the same time using physics principles.

Scalability

A system's ability to handle more users or work without crashing or slowing down.

Service Level Agreement (SLA)

A written promise from a service provider about what they'll do and how well they'll do it.

Technology standards

Rules that make sure different products and systems can work together.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

The real total price of technology including purchase, updates, fixes, support, and training—not just the sticker price.

Virtualization

Making computer resources work as if they're all in one place, even when they're physically scattered around.

Application Server

Software that connects websites to a company's databases and business programs.

Big Data

Massive amounts of data that are too big for regular databases to handle easily.

Data Cleansing

Fixing errors, filling gaps, and removing duplicates in databases. Like cleaning up a messy spreadsheet.

Data Redundancy

Having the same information stored multiple times in different places (wasteful).

Data Inconsistency

When the same information has different values in different places (confusing and problematic).

Database

An organized collection of data that multiple programs can use at once.

Database administration

Managing and maintaining databases

Database management system (DBMS)

Special software that creates, organizes, and manages databases so programs can easily get the data they need.

Information policy

Company rules about how to share, organize, and protect information.

Relational DBMS

A database that organizes information in tables (like spreadsheets) and can connect related information between tables.

Bandwidth

How much data can flow through a connection at once—like the width of a pipe.

Bluetooth

Wireless technology for connecting devices over short distances (like your phone to wireless earbuds).

Broadband

Fast internet connection that can handle lots of data at once.

Domain Name System (DNS)

The system that converts website names (like google.com) into number addresses that computers understand.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

The rules for how web pages are sent and received over the internet.

Hubs

Basic devices that connect network cables together and send data everywhere.

Switch

Smarter network connector that sends data only where it needs to go.

Router

Device that directs internet traffic between different networks.

Internet of things

When everyday objects (like fridges or watches) connect to the internet and communicate with each other.

Internet Protocol (IP) address

Your device's unique number address on the internet (like a street address).

Local area network (LAN)

A network connecting computers in a small area like one building or office.

Near field communication (NFC)

Technology that lets devices share data by touching or getting very close (like tap-to-pay).

Packet switching

Breaking messages into small pieces and sending them through the most efficient route.

Peer-to-peer

A network where all computers have equal status (no boss computer).

Radio frequency identification (RFID)

Tiny chips on items that send signals to track where things are (like security tags in stores).

Search engine optimization (SEO)

Making your website more likely to appear at the top of Google search results.

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

The main set of rules that makes the internet work—how data gets broken up, sent, and reassembled.

Voice over IP (VoIP)

Making phone calls over the internet instead of phone lines.

Virtual private network (VPN)

A secure, private connection over the internet—like a secret tunnel.

Wide area network (WAN)

A network covering a large geographic area, like connecting offices in different cities.

Click fraud

Repeatedly clicking on ads to waste someone's advertising money.

Disaster recovery planning

Having a plan to get computer systems running again after something goes wrong.

Encryption

Scrambling data so only authorized people can read it.

Firewall

Security barrier that blocks unauthorized access to a network while allowing legitimate traffic.

General controls

Overall rules and systems for keeping all IT secure in an organization.

IT governance

The strategy and rules for how technology should be used in an organization.

Malware

Harmful software designed to damage computers or steal information (viruses, worms, etc.).

Pharming

Tricking people into visiting fake websites even when they type the correct address.

Phishing

Sending fake emails or creating fake websites to trick people into giving away passwords or personal information.

Risk assessment

Figuring out how likely problems are and how bad they'd be if they happened.

Security policy

Written rules about what security risks are and how to protect against them.

Spoofing

Pretending to be someone or something else online to trick people.

Bullwhip effect

When small changes in customer demand get exaggerated as they move backward through the supply chain, causing overreaction.

Churn rate

The percentage of customers who stop buying from a company.

Customer relationship management (CRM)

Systems and strategies for managing all interactions with customers to keep them happy and loyal.

Customer relationship management systems

Software that tracks every interaction with customers and helps improve relationships with them.

Demand planning

Figuring out how much product to make based on how much customers will want.

Enterprise software

Big integrated software packages that handle multiple business functions (like sales, accounting, HR) all in one system.

Just-in-time strategy

Getting materials exactly when needed (not before) to avoid storing excess inventory.

Push-based Model

Making products based on predictions and pushing them out to stores/customers.

Pull-based Model

Only making products after customers actually order them.

Supply Chain

The whole network of getting materials, making products, and delivering them to customers.

Supply Chain Management Systems

Software that coordinates information flow between a company and its suppliers.

Touch point

Any way a customer interacts with a company (phone, email, store visit, website, etc.)