A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Anti Virus
Antivirus is protective software designed to defend your computer against malicious software. Malicious software or “malware” includes viruses hijackers, other code that vandalises or steals your computer contents. In order to be an effective defense, your antivirus software needs to run in the background at all times, and should be kept updated so it recognises new versions of malicious software.
Authentication and Authorisation
Authentication is the process of determining whether someone or something is, who or what it is declared to be. In private and public computer networks (including the Internet), authentication is commonly done through the use of logon passwords. Knowledge of the password is assumed to guarantee that the user is authentic. Internet business and many other transactions require a more stringent authentication process. The use of digital certificates issued and verified by a Certificate Authority (CA) as part of a public key infrastructure is considered likely to become the standard way to perform authentication on the Internet.
Authorisation is the process of giving someone permission to do or have something. In multi-user computer systems, a system administrator defines for the system which users are allowed access to the system and what privileges of use. Authorization is sometimes seen as both the preliminary setting up of permissions by a system adminstrator and the actual checking of the permission values that have been set up when a user is getting access.
Backup and restore testing
Backup is the activity of copying files or databases so that they will be preserved in case of equipment failure or other catastrophe. Backup is usually a routine part of the operation of large businesses with mainframes as well as the administrators of smaller business computers. For personal computer users, backup is also necessary but often neglected.
The retrieval of files you backed up is called restoring them. In data management, restore is a process that involves copying backup files from secondary storage (tape, Zip disk or other backup media) to hard disk. A restore is performed in order to return data to its original condition if files have become damaged, or to copy or move data to a new location.
Business Continuity
Business continuity planning involves devising a contingency plan that guards against business disruption in case of unforeseen events. The objectives of business continuity planning include minimising interruptions to the business’s ability to provide its products and/or services, minimising financial loss, and being able to resume critical operations within a specified time after a disaster.
Business Solutions
Products and services that drive business efficiency and productivity.
Cisco
Cisco Systems is a leading manufacturer of networking equipment, including routers, bridges, frame switches and ATM switches, dial-up access servers and network management software, founded in 1984.Initially targeting universities, Cisco sold its first router in 1986. Cisco is the leading router vendor and its operating systems and routing protocols have become de facto standards. www.cisco.com
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is an Internet-based leasing model that allows businesses to rent IT infrastructure on demand. In a cloud computing scenario, everything is rented; the only thing the business owns is its data. This means it is faster to implement and doesn’t have the heavy start-up costs associated with traditional computing.
Co-location
In technology, co-location is the renting of physical space on a service provider’s premises.
Data centre co-location allows a small or medium-sized business to save money by storing and running parts of its IT infrastructure off-site instead of building and maintaining a large dedicated data centre in-house.
Content Management
Content management (CM) is the administration of digital content throughout its lifecycle, from creation to permanent storage or deletion. The content involved may be images, video, audio and multimedia as well as text. Content management systems (CMS) vary according to the specific industry.
Design
An outline, sketch, or plan of the form and structure of a machine or system to be constructed or implemented.
Desktop Management
Desktop management is a comprehensive approach to managing all the computers within an organisation. Desktop management is a component of systems management, which is the administration of all components of an organisation’s information systems. Traditional desktop management tasks include installing and maintaining hardware and software, spam filtering, administering user permissions and security-related tasks.
Directory Services
Network administrator and/or user access facility provided by a networking software that lists all available resources (such as applications, data sources and files), and information about users, on the network. Directory services list these resources as meaningful names instead of as logical or physical addresses.
Disaster Recovery
A plan for duplicating computer operations after a catastrophe occurs, such as a fire or earthquake. It includes routine off-site backup as well as a procedure for activating vital information systems in a new location.
Email and Messaging Solutions
E-mail (electronic mail or messaging) is the creation, storage, exchange, and management of text, images, voice, telex, fax , e-mail, paging, and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) over a communications network. E-mail was one of the first uses of the Internet and is still the most popular use. E-mail can also be exchanged between online service provider users and in networks other than the Internet, both public and private.
Messaging is the exchange of messages to a messaging server, which acts as a message exchange program for client programs. Messaging allows programs to share common message-handling code, to isolate resources and interdependencies, to easily handle an increase in message volume and makes it easier for programs to communicate across different programming environments.
Enterprise Security
Enterprise security is the practice of applying a comprehensive method for describing a current or future structure and behaviour for an organisation’s security processes, information security systems, personnel and organisational sub-units, to ensure that business strategy and IT security are aligned. Enterprise information security architecture allows traceability from the business strategy down to the underlying technology.
Enterprise Systems
The term ‘enterprise systems’ describes the range of administration systems used by any large organisation that utilises computers.
Extension Mobility
Extension mobility allows a user to temporarily configure another IP Phone as their own by logging in to that phone. The phone then adopts the user’s profile information, including telephone number, call forwards and other features. It is useful for staff who regularly work in different locations or have desk sharing arrangements.
Hardware
Computer hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer and related devices. Internal hardware devices include motherboards, hard drives, and RAM. External hardware devices include monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and scanners. Because software runs on computer hardware, software programs often have system requirements that list the minimum hardware required for the software to run.
Hosting
Web hosting is the business of housing, serving and maintaining files for one or more websites. As well as the computer space that is provided for website files, using a hosting service lets many companies share the cost of a fast Internet connection for serving files.
Dedicated hosting is the provision of a dedicated server machine that is dedicated to the traffic to a particular website. Only very busy sites require dedicated hosting. Many companies purchase their own servers and place them on a site that provides fast access to the Internet, a practice called colocation.
ICT Infrastructure
ICT (information and communications technology – or technologies) ICT is an overall name used to describe technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. This includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums.
Implementation
In an information technology context, implementation encompasses all the processes involved in getting new software or hardware operating properly in its environment, including installation, configuration, running, testing, and making necessary changes. The word deployment is sometimes used to mean the same thing.
Intrusion Detection
Intrusion detection (ID) is a type of security management system for computers and networks, which gathers and analyses information from various areas within a computer or a network to identify possible security breaches, which include both intrusions and misuse from within the organisation. ID uses vulnerability assessment, a technology developed to assess the security of a computer system or network. ID systems are being developed in response to the increasing number of attacks on major sites and networks.
IP Based Buisness Phone Solutions
An IP phone uses Voice over IP technologies allowing telephone calls to be made over an IP network such as the internet instead of the ordinary PSTN system. Calls can traverse the Internet, or a private IP Network such as that of a company. Differences such as who owns, operates and maintains the equipment and where it is physically located can produce major variations in cost, convenience and ease of management.
IP Telephony
IP (Internet Protocol) telephony is an umbrella term for all real-time applications over IP including voice over instant messaging (IM) and videoconferencing. VoIP is an organised effort to standardise IP telephony. However, the term VoIP is widely used for the actual services offered while IP telephony often refers to the technology behind it. IP has become the universal transport for almost all data and video communications worldwide and it is increasingly becoming the infrastructure for voice traffic as well.
LAN
A LAN (Local Area Network) is a computer network limited to a small area such as an office building, university, or residential home. Most medium to large-sized businesses today use LANs, which makes it easy for employees to share information. Currently, the most common type of LANs are Ethernet-based and use software from Novell or Oracle. However, with the emergence of wireless networking, wireless LANs have become a popular alternative.
<Managed Dynamic SOE solutions
A managed SOE (standard operating environment) delivers reliable services to cater to business needs. Dynamic infrastructure lets organisations move from static infrastructure to a flexible and agile environment. The result is significantly larger, scalable and expandable pools of available resources.
Network Security
The authorization of access to files and directories in a network. Users are assigned an ID number and password that allows them access to information and programs within their authority. Network security is controlled by the network administrator. Network security also involves protecting a network from unwanted intruders.
Network Systems
Network is a series of points or nodes interconnected by communication paths. Networks can interconnect with other networks and contain subnetworks. General configurations of networks include the bus, star, Token Ring, and mesh topologies. Networks be characterised in terms of spatial distance as local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs). A given network can also be characterised by the type of data transmission technology in use on it, by the usual nature of its connections and by the types of physical links.
Off-site Hosting
Hosting computer servers and architecture away from the main premises, usually for space, security or cost reasons and often at a data centre. See co-location below.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing (also called pen testing) is the practice of testing a computer system, network or Web application to determine security weaknesses. The process includes gathering information about the target before the test, identifying possible entry points, attempting to break in (either virtually or for real) and reporting back the findings.
Project Consultancy
Project consultancy is the business of providing advice to clients for a fee in order to help them solve a particular problem or range of problems within a certain area of business, such as IT.
Risk Management
The optimal allocation of resources for a cost-effective investment in defensive measures within an organisation. Risk management minimises both risk and costs.
Router
This is an electronic hardware device that routes data from a local area network (LAN) to another network connection. Each data packet exchanged contains address information that a router can use to determine if the source and destination are on the same network, or if the data packet must be transferred from one network to another.
Secure Scalable Remote Access Systems
Secure systems that enable workers to access computers from a remote location. They allow the local computer to be used as the remote computer you want to connect to. In order for a remote access connection to take place, the local machine must have the remote client software installed and the remote machine must have the remote server software installed. Remote access is possible through the Internet, on a desktop, notebook, or handheld computer modem or using a dedicated line between a computer or a remote local area network and the “central” or main corporate local area network. A dedicated line is more expensive and less flexible but offers faster data rates.
Security Auditing and Reporting
A security audit is a systematic evaluation of the security of a company’s information system by measuring and reporting on how well it conforms to a set of established criteria. A thorough audit typically assesses the security of the system’s physical configuration and environment, software, information handling processes, and user practices. Security audits are often used to determine regulatory compliance.
Server Management
Server management is a strategy for equipment that monitors the physical environment and behaviour of a computer hardware server. Its purpose is to cover the regulation of temperature, voltage, and power, and to ensure the proper operation of the firmware.
Server Virtualisation
Server virtualisation is the masking of server resources, including the number and identity of individual physical servers, processors, and operating systems, from server users. The server administrator uses a software application to divide one physical server into multiple isolated virtual environments. Server virtualisation can be used to eliminate server sprawl, to make more efficient use of server resources, to improve server availability, to assist in disaster recovery, testing and development, and to centralise server administration.
Software
Computer software is a general term that describes computer programs. Software consists of lines of code written by computer programmers that have been compiled into a computer program. Software programs are stored as binary data that is copied to a computer’s hard drive when it is installed. As software is virtual and does not take up any physical space, it is much easier to upgrade than computer hardware.
Storage Solutions
In a computer, storage is the place where data is held in an electromagnetic or optical form for access by a computer processor. Storage includes primary storage, which holds data in memory (sometimes called random access memory or RAM) and other “built-in” devices such as the processor’s L1 cache; and secondary storage, the devices and data connected to the computer through input/output operations such as hard disk and tape systems.
Supply Chain
The network of retailers, distributors, transporters, storage facilities and suppliers that participate in the sale, delivery and production of a particular product.
Switches
A switch is used to network multiple computers together. Switches made for the consumer market are typically small, flat boxes with 4 to 8 Ethernet ports. These ports can connect to computers, cable or DSL modems, and other switches. High-end switches can have more than 50 ports and often are rack mounted. Switches can limit the traffic to and from each port so that each device connected to the switch has a sufficient amount of bandwidth.
Technology Procurement
The purchase of hardware and software on behalf of a client.
Unified Messaging
Unified messaging is the handling of voice, fax, and regular text messages as objects in a single mailbox that a user can access either with a regular e-mail client or by telephone. Unified messaging is particularly convenient for mobile business users because it allows them to reach colleagues and customers through a PC or telephone, whichever happens to be available.
Virtual Server Technology
On the Internet, a virtual server is a server at an external location that is shared by multiple website owners so that each owner can use and administer it as though they had complete control of the server. Users of a virtual server do not have to manage the hardware aspects of running a server and effectively share the cost of expensive line connections to the Internet.
Virtualisation
Virtualisation involves running multiple operating systems on a single machine. While most computers only have one operating system installed, virtualisation software allows a computer to run several operating systems at the same time.
Virtualisation software acts as a layer between a computer’s primary OS and the virtual OS. It allows the virtual system to access the computer’s hardware, such as the RAM, CPU, and video card, just like the primary OS.
WAN
“Wide Area Network” is similar to a Local Area Network (LAN), but much larger. Unlike LANs, WANs are not limited to a single location and many span long distances via telephone lines, fibre-optic cables, or satellite links. They can also be composed of smaller LANs that are interconnected.
Wireless Systems
The two most common types of wireless capabilities computers have are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Wi-Fi is a technology used for wireless networking. If your computer has a wireless card, it is most likely Wi-Fi compatible. The wireless card transmits to a wireless router, which is also based on the Wi-Fi standard. Wireless routers are often connected to a network, cable modem, or DSL modem, which provides Internet access to anyone connected to the wireless network.
Bluetooth is a wireless technology often used for wireless keyboards and mice, wireless printing, and wireless cell phone headsets. In order to use a device such as a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse, your computer must be Bluetooth-enabled or have a Bluetooth adapter installed.
Work-at-home IP Telephony
See IP telephony and IP Based Business Phone Solutions.
Workforce Mobility
A mobile workforce involves people working from home, clients’ offices and other remote locations using technology to stay connected with their offices and colleagues. Challenges such as a widening global business arena, cost issues and an increasing diversity of customers have lead to a heightened need for workforce mobility.
