Glossary
Software and business systems glossary
Each term defined in a sentence or two, linking to the page that explains it in depth.
- AI agent
- Software that understands a natural-language request, then decides and uses real tools to complete the task inside systems, within set permissions.Read more
- Chatbot
- Software that replies to messages automatically on WhatsApp, a website or elsewhere, via menus or AI.Read more
- LLMLarge language model
- An AI model trained on huge amounts of text that understands and generates language, such as Claude, Gemini and GPT.Read more
- RAGRetrieval-augmented generation
- A method that makes a model answer from your documents and data by retrieving relevant passages first, reducing fabricated answers.Read more
- Hallucination
- A confident but incorrect answer a model produces when it lacks reliable information.Read more
- Embedding
- Turning text into numbers representing meaning, so similar-meaning text can be found, not just matching words.
- Vector database
- A database storing embeddings and searching them fast — the backbone of RAG systems.
- Tool calling
- An agent’s ability to run specific functions like searching stock or creating a booking, rather than only talking.Read more
- Human handoff
- Passing a conversation from bot to staff with a summary when human judgement is needed or the customer asks.Read more
- Guardrails
- Rules and permissions stopping an agent exceeding its task or performing sensitive actions without approval.Read more
- Prompt
- The text instructing a model: its role, rules, tone and the information it works from.
- Prompt injection
- An attempt to trick a model with instructions hidden in a message or document to bypass its rules.Read more
- ERPEnterprise resource planning
- A single system combining finance, inventory, purchasing, sales and HR in one database, so each transaction is recorded once and appears across departments.Read more
- CRMCustomer relationship management
- A system holding customer data, conversations, quotes and follow-ups in one place, helping sales teams never lose a lead.Read more
- POSPoint of sale
- A system that records a sale as it happens, prints the receipt, deducts stock and updates the books.Read more
- HRMSHuman resources management system
- A system managing employee records, attendance, leave, payroll and appraisals.Read more
- HISHospital information system
- A system linking reception, medical records, lab, radiology, pharmacy and billing in a hospital.Read more
- LISLaboratory information system
- A system managing test orders, sample barcodes, results, reference ranges and result delivery.Read more
- EMRElectronic medical record
- A digital version of a patient’s file with history, diagnoses, prescriptions and results.Read more
- SISStudent information system
- A system managing student enrolment, attendance, grades and fees in schools and universities.Read more
- MVPMinimum viable product
- The smallest product version that solves the user’s core problem well enough to use and learn from.Read more
- PWAProgressive web app
- A website that behaves like an app: installable from the browser, fast, and partly usable offline.Read more
- Flutter
- Google’s framework for building iOS, Android and web apps from one Dart codebase.Read more
- Native development
- Building a separate app per OS in its own language — Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android.Read more
- APIApplication programming interface
- A structured way for systems and apps to exchange data.
- Backend
- The invisible part of an app: the database, logic and APIs the app relies on.
- Admin panel
- A web interface where the business manages the app’s content, orders, users and reports.
- UI/UXUser interface / user experience
- UI is how the interface looks; UX is the logic of the experience and how easily tasks get done.Read more
- RTLRight-to-left
- The writing direction of Arabic and Kurdish; interfaces must be laid out mirrored from English.Read more
- Offline-first
- Designing an app to work on local data and sync with the server when internet is available.Read more
- Synchronisation
- Moving changes between device and server, or between branches, so data matches.
- SLAService level agreement
- A written commitment to response and resolution times per incident severity.Read more
- 3-2-1 backup rule
- Three copies of data, on two different media, one of them off-site.Read more
- Cloud hosting
- Running a system on a provider’s servers rented by usage instead of buying hardware.Read more
- On-premise
- Running a system on servers the organisation owns on its premises.Read more
- 2FATwo-factor authentication
- Requiring a second proof (such as a phone code) in addition to the password at login.Read more
- Audit trail
- A log showing who viewed or changed which data, and when.
- FEFOFirst expiry, first out
- A stock rule issuing the batch closest to expiry before others.Read more
- Landed cost
- An imported item’s cost after adding freight, duties, transport and clearance.Read more
- Cycle counting
- Counting small parts of stock regularly instead of one full annual count that halts work.Read more
- BOQBill of quantities
- A list of a construction project’s items, quantities and rates, used for progress and payment certificates.Read more
- Payment gateway
- A service connecting an app or store to electronic payment methods and confirming transactions.Read more
- CODCash on delivery
- Paying for an order in cash to the courier on delivery — still common in Iraq.
- SEOSearch engine optimisation
- Improving a site and its content to appear in Google results when customers search.Read more
- AEOAnswer engine optimisation
- Optimising content to be quoted by ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google’s AI answers.Read more
- llms.txt
- A text file at the site root summarising the company and key pages for AI models.Read more
- Structured data (schema)
- Code annotations telling search engines what content is: a business, service, FAQ or article.
- Core Web Vitals
- Google’s metrics for content load speed, layout stability and responsiveness.Read more
- GBPGoogle Business Profile
- Your company’s listing on Google Maps and local search, with address, hours and reviews.Read more
- WhatsApp Business API
- A service letting systems send automatic WhatsApp messages and route chats to staff.Read more
- Electronic archiving
- Turning paper documents into indexed digital files searchable quickly, with permissions.Read more
- SaaSSoftware as a service
- Software used online via a recurring subscription instead of buying and installing it.Read more
Let’s build what comes next
Tell us what you need. We’ll set up a short call to understand your business, then send a written proposal with scope, timeline and cost.
Our team is available for replies and support 24/7