Glossary

Application Integration

Application Integration involves moving data back and forth between individual applications to keep them in sync. Typically, each individual application has a particular way it emits and accepts data, and this data moves in smaller volumes.

API

Application Programming Interface is a connection between programs. It is a type of software interface that offers a service to other pieces of software. In contrast to a user interface, which connects a computer to a person, an API connects one software to another.

BI

Short for 'Business Intelligence.' A set of processes, architectures, and technologies that convert raw data into meaningful information that drives profitable business actions. It is a suite of software and services to transform data into actionable intelligence and knowledge.

Big Data Architecture

Big data architecture is the layout that underpins big data systems. It can refer to either its theoretical and/or physical makeup. Big data architecture is intended to be structured in such a way as to allow for the optimum ingestion, processing, and analysis of data.

CRM

A customer relationship management tool used by businesses for developing, retaining, and acquiring customers. This software provides a platform where every step of a customer’s interaction with a business is documented, their information is stored, and overall provides a better way to manage external relationships.

Customer 360

A ‘one source of truth’ for all aggregated data about a customer and their interactions with the organization. Purchase history, billing, service issues, social presence, and channel preferences can all be included. Usually delivered through a CRM or MDM application.

Data Integration

Data can be overwhelming, with too much data across multiple sources to sort through it, creating pointed insights can be extremely difficult. Data integration is a process where data from many sources go through a single centralized location. This end location is often called a data warehouse and needs to be flexible enough to handle different types of data in potentially large volumes.

Data Silos

A collection of data held by one group or piece of software that is not easily or fully accessible to the rest of the organization or other software. For more information on how Launchpad helps eliminate Data Silos click here.

Data Warehouse

A large collection of business data used to help an organization make decisions. Not to be confused with a database which is usually inherently a data silo.

ETL

Extract Transform Load (ETL) is the process of extracting, transforming, and loading data in a database. It is also often used to retrieve data from external data storage or transmission sources.

Import

Imports regulate the flow of data into a destination application by adding, updating, uploading, or deleting files or records, according to the system’s configuration. Imports can run standalone or execute synchronously.

Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is revolutionizing the way companies manufacture, improve and distribute their products. Manufacturers are integrating new technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and analytics, and AI and machine learning into their production facilities and throughout their operations. Learn more about Industry 4.0 here.

iPaaS

iPaaS, or integration Platform as a Service, is a platform that standardizes how applications are integrated into an organization, making it easier to automate business processes and share data across applications. By leveraging Paasport at Launchpad, growing companies can eliminate manual processes, reduce dependency on spreadsheets and email, while increasing visibility, speed, and accuracy across their organization.

Nearshore Staff Augmentation

A flexible way to hire skilled IT professionals from outside your company and manage them as part of your internal IT team. ‘Nearshore’ refers to the remote team’s location and offers more flexibility and agility due to being in the same time-zone. Learn more about Launchpad’s Nearshore Staff Augmentation services here.

Order Fulfillment

Order fulfillment covers the complete process from when a sale takes place all the way through delivery to your customer. Learn more here.

Quote to Cash

An essential part of the sales cycle that helps drive revenue for an organization. The Q2C process streamlines quoting, contracting, and ordering to allow for greater efficiency and better visibility to improve business outcomes. Learn more here.

SaaS

Software as a service. Usually referring to a business.

Supply Chain 4.0

Related to Industry 4.0, Supply Chain 4.0 is a digital transformation strategy that's a natural extension of Industry 4.0. It involves advanced data gathering technologies and supply chain digitization, but also a non-linear supply chain approach that offers the benefits of an end-to-end, insight-driven model. Learn more about Supply Chain 4.0 here.