IT and SaaS Acronyms

Question 1

CPU

Answer 1

Central Processing Unit
The “brains” of the computer, where the most calculations take place.
contains at least one processor, which is the actual chip inside the CPU that performs calculations.

Question 1

SQL

Answer 1

Structured Query Language (pronounced ‘sequel’ or S-Q-L)
It is a query language used for accessing and modifying information in a database.
Commonly used for Web database development and management.

Question 2

MSP

Answer 2

Managed Service Provider
A company that offers a computing framework platform for organizations to remotely manage a customer’s IT infrastructure.
Used to monitor their servers, firewalls, exchange servers, routers or switches, and active directory servers from a centralized console.
https://searchitchannel.techtarget.com/definition/managed-service-provider

Question 3

PSA

Answer 3

Professional Services Automation
Software designed to assist professionals, such as lawyers, auditors, and IT consultants, with project management and resource management for client projects and utilization rate management for billable staff.
Key components include project management, resource management and time and expense management.

Question 4

RMM

Answer 4

Remote Monitoring and Management
Type of application that IT service providers use to maintain their clients’ IT infrastructure and systems.
a cornerstone application for managed services providers (MSPs), in particular, whose business model is based on the ability to deliver services remotely.
enables service companies to keep tabs on their clients’ IT systems, including servers, desktops, applications and mobile devices, by supplying performance data and other reports that service technicians can review.
Service providers can also execute management tasks, such as patching, updates and service configurations, on the client’s systems.

Question 5

GUI

Answer 5

Graphical User Interface (pronounced “gooey”)
a visual way of interacting with a computer using items such as windows, icons, and menus, used by most modern operating systems.
For example, a desktop operating system, such as OS X, includes a menu bar and windows with small icons that can be easily navigated using a mouse.

Question 6

VPN

Answer 6

Virtual Private Network
Uses a public network (usually the internet) to connect remote sites or users together. The VPN uses “virtual” connections routed through the internet from the business’s private network or a third-party VPN service to the remote site or person.
VPNs are used to provide remote corporate employees, gig economy freelance workers and business travelers with access to software applications hosted on proprietary networks.

Question 7

KB

Answer 7

Knowledge Base
A centralized repository where information is stored, organized, and then shared.
When used externally, a knowledge base is where customers can go to learn any and everything they’d ever need to know about a company’s products or services, organization, and even industry.

Question 8

SNMP

Answer 8

Simple Network Management Protocol
Internet Standard protocol for collecting and organizing information about managed devices on IP networks and for modifying that information to change device behavior.
Provides a common language for network devices to relay management information within single and multi-vendor environments in a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).
An SNMP device can be any device which uses the SNMP protocol such as printers, routers, switches, firewalls etc. SNMP is what allows to collect data from these devices, organizes them, and sends them for network monitoring and management with fault detection and isolation.

Question 9

SMTP

Answer 9

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
It is a set of commands that authenticate and direct the transfer of electronic mail.
is an application-layer protocol that enables the transmission and delivery of email over the Internet. SMTP is created and maintained by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

Question 10

SLA

Answer 10

Service-Level Agreement
A contract between a service provider and a user. In most cases, the agreement is between a business and a consumer, though SLAs may be established between two business as well.
the SLA defines specific services that are guaranteed over a given amount of time, often for a specific price.

Question 11

HTTP

Answer 11

HyperText Transfer Protocol
The protocol used to transfer data over the web. It is part of the Internet protocol suite and defines commands and services used for transmitting web page data.
transferring files, such as text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia files, on the World Wide Web.

Question 12

TCP

Answer 12

Transmission Control Protocol
A fundamental protocol within the Internet protocol suite — a collection of standards that allow systems to communicate over the Internet.
It is categorized as a “transport layer” protocol since it creates and maintains connections between hosts.

Question 13

FTP

Answer 13

File Transfer Protocol
A protocol designed for transferring files over the Internet. Files stored on an FTP server can be accessed using an FTP client, such as a web browser, FTP software program, or a command line interface.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Transfer_Protocol

Question 14

NOC

Answer 14

Network Operations Center
It is a central location where a company’s servers and networking equipment are located.
The NOC may reside either within a company’s campus or at an external location.
Smaller businesses and organizations often have an internal NOC, in which local technicians administer and monitor the servers. Larger companies may have a NOC setup at a location developed specifically to house server equipment.

Question 15

QBR

Answer 15

Quarterly Business Review
A call with the client performed by the CSM, VIP status [5+ licenses]. It is done once every quarter to go over the clients’ usage of the platform, but the focal point of this meeting is not just to check what goals you have met and what’s outstanding. Instead, it revolves around the client’s business and what can be done to escalate its growth.

Question 16

VSB

Answer 16

Very Small Business

Usually a 1 person business, categorized as 1-3 licenses

Question 17

Scripting

Answer 17

a list of commands that are executed by a certain program or scripting engine. Scripts may be used to automate processes on a local computer or to generate Web pages on the Web. For example, DOS scripts and VB Scripts may be used to run processes on Windows machines, while AppleScript scripts can automate tasks on Macintosh computers. ASP, JSP, and PHP scripts are often run on Web servers to generate dynamic Web page content.

Question 18

Patching

Answer 18

A patch is a software update comprised code inserted (or patched) into the code of an executable program. Typically, a patch is installed into an existing software program. Patches are often temporary fixes between full releases of a software package. 
Patches may do any of the following: 
a. Fix a software bug 
b. Install new drivers 
c. Address new security vulnerabilities 
d. Address software stability issues 
e. Upgrade the software

Question 19

Scrum

Answer 19

is an Agile project management methodology involving a small team led by a Scrum master, whose main job is to remove all obstacles to getting work done. The method aligns with the Agile Manifesto which is an intentionally streamlined expression of the core values of agile project management. Work in scrum is done in short cycles called sprints, and the team meets daily to discuss current tasks and any roadblocks that need clearing. Scrum is a method for managing projects that allows for rapid development and testing, especially within a small team.

Question 20

Scrum Project

Answer 20

include five essential activities, plus two common agile practices, for product development. These processes enhance efficiency and performance from the first day to the last day of your project:

Question 21

Scrum Project Planning

Answer 21

The initial planning for your project. Project planning includes creating a product vision statement and a product roadmap, and can take place in as little time as one day. Project planning is a common agile practice but is not a scrum activity.

Question 22

Scrum Project Planning

Answer 22

The initial planning for your project. Project planning includes creating a product vision statement and a product roadmap, and can take place in as little time as one day. Project planning is a common agile practice but is not a scrum activity.

Question 23

Scrum Release Planning

Answer 23

Planning the next set of product features to release and identifying an imminent product launch date around which the team can mobilize. On agile projects, you plan one release at a time. Although release planning is referred to in scrum, it is a common agile practice, not an official scrum activity.

Question 24

Sprint

Answer 24

A short cycle of development in which the team creates potentially shippable product functionality. Sprints, sometimes called iterations, typically last between one and four weeks. Sprints can last as little as one day but should not be longer than four weeks. Sprint length can change during the project, but velocity will be impacted by the duration change.

Question 25

Sprint Planning

Answer 25

A meeting at the beginning of each sprint where the scrum team commits to a sprint goal. They also identify the requirements that support this goal and will be part of the sprint, and the individual tasks it will take to complete each requirement.

Question 26

Daily Scrum

Answer 26

A 15-minute meeting held each day in a sprint. Here development team members coordinate on the priorities of the day, stating what they completed the day before, what they will focus on the current day, and whether they have any roadblocks.

Question 27

Sprint Review

Answer 27

A meeting at the end of each sprint, introduced by the product owner, where the development team demonstrates the working product functionality it completed during the sprint.

Question 28

Sprint Retrospective

Answer 28

A meeting at the end of each sprint, where the scrum team discusses what went well, what could change, and how to make any changes.)

Question 29

Break/Fix

Answer 29

The term break/fix refers to the fee-for-service method of providing information technology (IT) services to businesses. Using this method an IT solution provider performs services as needed and bills the customer only for the work done. The service may include repairs, upgrades or installation of systems, components, peripheral equipment, networking or software. The alternative to break/fix is managed services,[2] which is a service plan, where the customer pays a fixed amount for services covered in the plan and pays additional amounts for repairs or other work which is not covered in the plan. The equivalent practice in the consumer market is that of out-of-warranty appliances, where the customer can pay for repairs as needed (break/fix) or they can buy an extended warranty (managed services).
An advantage of break/fix IT management is the initial lower cost of maintenance. However, since problems are only addressed when they arise, maintenance is reactive rather than proactive. Small problems left unaddressed can balloon into major failures due to focus on cost. Unscrupulous providers are incentivized to use inefficient or malicious means to increase break/fix work and thus increase their revenue.

Question 30

GDPR

Answer 30

General Data Protection Regulation
a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy in the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). It also addresses the transfer of personal data outside the EU and EEA areas. The GDPR aims primarily to give control to individuals over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business by unifying the regulation within the EU. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation

Question 31

WSUS

Answer 31

Windows Server Update Services

Question 32

Domain Controller

Answer 32

a type of computer server that responds to security authentication requests and verifies users on the domain of a computer network. The controller is a gatekeeper for allowing host access to domain resources. It also enforces security policies, stores a user’s account information, and authenticates users for a domain.
For example, Active Directory is a Microsoft Domain Controller server. The domain controller hosts many different services depending on the number of roles it is provisioned to perform. Roles such as DNS for name internal resolution, Kerberos ticketing for authentication, Server Message Block…

Question 33

API

Answer 33

(Application programming interface)- a set of functions and procedures allowing the creation of applications that access the features or data of an operating system, application, or other service. From your user’s perspective, APIs allow them to complete the action without leaving your website.

Question 34

NPS

Answer 34

Net Promoter Score. It is a single survey question that asks our clients to rate the likelihood that they would recommend Atera.

Question 35

FTC

Answer 35

Failed to Charge

Question 36

OID

Answer 36

Object Identifier
An OID is an address that is used to differentiate between devices within the MIB hierarchy. OIDs are addresses used to identify parameters for monitoring purposes. The OID is used to refer to unique characteristics and navigate through variables on the connected device. The value of these identifiers varies from text to numbers and counters. The first step in monitoring SNMP devices with Atera is adding the SNMP devices to Atera. Once your devices have been added, you can add OIDs (Object Identifiers) for the specific parameters you wish to monitor on the device.

Question 37

QBR

Answer 37

Quarterly Business Review and is basically a call that is held between the VIP account and their Customer Success Manager. The call is conducted once every quarter and aims not only to go over met and outstanding business goals but mainly to also to review the clients’ business goals and what could be done to help it grow.

Question 38

ACH Payment

Answer 38

Automated Clearing House, a U.S. financial network used for electronic payments and money transfers. Also known as “direct payments,” ACH payments are a way to transfer money from one bank account to another without using paper checks, credit card networks, wire transfers, or cash. Generally, it also costs less to process an ACH transfer than a credit card payment or wire transfer. If you’re a business that accepts recurring payments, the savings can be significant. However, they are procceses in batched 3 times a day so they are slower (but prob cheaper) than wire transfer.

Question 39

Chocolatery

Answer 39

software management automation for Windows that wraps installers, executables, zips, and scripts into compiled packages.

Question 40

Homebrew

Answer 40

same, just for IOS systems (mac). It’s a free and open-source software package management system that simplifies the installation of software on Apple’s operating system, macOS, as well as Linux.

Question 41

Managed Services Market

Answer 41

the market of MSPs - primarily concerned with the outsourcing of computing and IT related processes such as cloud computing, IT infrastructure, and managed IT security. It’s size was valued at USD 152.05 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach USD 274.20 billion by 2026

Question 42

Cohort Metrics or Analysis

Answer 42

(A cohort is simply a group of people with shared characteristics.) A subset of behavioral analytics that takes the data from a given platform, and rather than looking at all users as one unit, it breaks them into related groups for analysis. These related groups, or cohorts, usually share common characteristics or experiences within a defined time-span. Cohort analysis is a tool to measure user engagement over time. It helps to know whether user engagement is actually getting better over time or is only appearing to improve because of growth. For example, we do it when we divide our customers by their age or date they joined Atera (1-3 months, 3-6, 6-12, year +).

Question 43

Localization

Answer 43

the adaptation of a product or service to meet the needs of a particular language, culture or desired population’s “look-and-feel.” A successfully localized service or product is one that appears to have been developed within the local culture. It is not just translating the language but fine tuning it so it matches the culture.

Question 44

SEO

Answer 44

(organic marketing)- “search engine optimization” falls into the realm of organic digital marketing and in simple terms, it means the process of adjusting and improving your site to increase its visibility when people search for products or services related to your business in Google, Bing, and other search engines. The better visibility your pages have in search results, the more likely you are to garner attention and attract prospective and existing customers to your business.

Question 45

Horizontal Saas

Answer 45

is a type of cloud software solution that is targeted to a wide audience of business users, regardless of their industry. (salesforce, hubspot, quickbooks). Slack is one example of this varied marketing targeting. The company runs paid advertising made to appeal to diverse types of industries. You can see on their customer stories that they highlight stories of vastly different businesses, agencies, and nonprofits that use their software.

Question 46

Vertical Saas

Answer 46

vertical SaaS solutions include software that is targeted to a particular niche or industry-specific standards. The vertical SaaS provider doesn’t aim to be all things to all people or cover a broad product category. Instead, vertical software focuses much more narrowly on specific industry verticals. Since vertical software is purpose-built for clear industry niches, it narrows the size of the potential market.