GLOSSARY

Client/Server Architecture: A particular type of distributed system in which the processing power is distributed between a central server computer, such as a minicomputer or a powerful workstation, and a number of client computers, which are ususally desktop microcomputers. The split in responsibilities between the server and the client varies considerably between applications, but the client often handles data entry and the immediate output, while the server maintains the larger database against which the new data are processed. [Articles]
Clones: Exact or nearly exact replicas of IBM-PC-type microcomputers.
Closing The Books: (monthly, end-of-year, etc.): Closing entries are sometimes called clearing entries because one of their functions is to clear the revenue and expense accounts and leave them with zero balances. The accountant uses these accounts to keep track of the increases and decreases in owner's equity in a way that is helpful to management and others interested in the success or progress of the company.
Computer Equipment Survey: A survey of what types of computer hardware and software are used in the organization.
Data Item: A named property or characteristic of an entity that is of interest to the organization. Also called attribute.
Database Management System (DBMS): A software application system that is used to create, maintain, and provide controlled access to user databases.
Database: A shared collection of logically related data, designed to provide information to multiple users.
Desk-Top Conferencing: Participants at remote sites key in their presentations and responses whenever convenient from their on-line terminals or workstations connected to a central conference computer. This is sometimes called a form of interactive electronic mail.
Downsizing: (1) The evaluation of existing hardware as it relates to the business needs of the company. If the company does not have mission critical applications the client server architecture would be better to use than a giant mainframe. Downsizing refers to the hardware change of a mainframe to the use of a microprocessor computers as servers. (2) In an organizational context, downsizing refers to the reduction of personnel in streamlining the organization's processes. This could be part of an organization's reengineering efforts. [Articles]
Electronic Mail (E-Mail): A networking application that allows users to send and receive mail electronically.
File Attachment to E-Mail: A worksheet or any file that is sent through electronic mail in bit format.
Footing (In a spreadsheet): Summing columns at the foot of a page in a multi-page spreadsheet. For purposes of cross-checking and auditing the accuracy of calculations.
Foreign Currency Issues: The issues related to foreign currency such as currency translation. Currency translation is the process of expressing amounts denominated in one currency in terms of a second currency, by using the exchange rate between the currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated at the current exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Income statement items are typically translated at the weighted-average exchange rate for the period.
General Ledger System: The system that uses formal ledger containing all the financial statement accounts of a business. It contains offsetting debit and credit accounts. Certain accounts in the general ledger, termed control accounts, summarize the details booked on separate subsidiary ledgers.
Graphics Workstation: A high-powered computer to support the work of professionals in engineering, science, and other areas that require extensive computing power and graphic capabilities. Graphic software packages, laser printers, optical scanners, and other devices allow end users to produce a variety of charts and graphic images. This visually enhances both the analysis and presentation of information in reports and other media.
Hostile Takeover: An action whereby a person or group succeeds in ousting a firm's management and taking control of the company.
Indexes: A table or other data structure that is used to determine the location of records in a file or database based upon a primary or secondary key.
Information Architecture: A conceptual framework that defines the basic structure, content, and relationships of the organizational databases that provide the data needed to support the basic business processes of an organization.
Information SuperHighway: Refers to international computer communication networks such as the Internet.
LAN: Local Area Network is a communication network that typically connects computers, terminals, and other computerized devices within a limited physical area such as an office building, manufacturing plant, or other worksite. This allows end users in a workgroup to share hardware, software, and data resources.
Leased Line: A leased communication circuit that goes from your site to some other location. It is a clear, unbroken communication path that is yours to use 24 hours per day seven days per week. Also called private circuit or dedicated circuit.
MRP: Material Requirement Planning. A computer-based system that accepts the master production schedule for a factory as input and then develops a detailed production schedule, using parts explosion, production capacity, inventory, and lead time data; usually a component of a Manufacturing Resoruces Planning (MRP II) system.
Open Architecture: Systems (usually operating systems) that are not tied to a particular computer system or hardware manufacturer. An example is the UNIX operating system, with versions available for a variety of hardware platforms.
Platform: The types of computer systems that a company uses for day to day operations. They could be IBM, Macintosh, Dell, Toshiba, Packard Bell, etc. Also the different types of operating systems: OS/2, Unix, Windows NT, DOS, etc. The term platform usually refers the combination of the computer and its operating system.
Price/Performance Ratio: Advanced micro- and minicomputers and most mainframe computers operate at nanosecond speeds and can thus process several million instructions per second. MIPS performance is about $250 dollars per MIPS. A 80486 processor is rated at about twice the processing speed of the 80386 processor. Typically when a computer has higher MIPS the speed of the system is higher.
RISC: (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) Used with advanced engineering workstations along with other computers. The RISC processor is designed to optimize a CPU's processing speed by using a smaller instruction set. That is, they use a smaller number of the basic machine instructions that a processor is capable of executing. This enables a RISC processor to reduce the time needed to execute program instructions. RISC processors have been widely used in the computational-intensive applications in engineering and the physical sciences. [Articles]
RJ11: The standard for a modular telephone jack on a home telephone and is called a permissive connection by the telephone company. Although it generally is used on two-wire circuits, it can be used on four-wire circuit.
RS232: A technical specification published by the Electronic Industries Association that specifies the mechanical and electrical characteristics of the interface for connecting data terminal equipment (DTE) and data circuit terminating equipment (DCE). It defines interface circuit functions and their corresponding connector pin assignments. Usually the serial port of a PC uses this standard for connection to communication devices.
Semantics: The relationships of characters or groups of characters to their meanings, independent of the manner of their interpretation and use. Also called the meaning of data.
Server: A computer that supports telecommunications in a local area network, as well as the sharing of peripheral devices, software, and databases among the workstations in the network. The most important characteristic of a server is the speed of its disk drive access and the speed of its microprocessor chip.
SQL: Structured Query Language. A standard language for data definition and manipulation of relational databases.
Steering Committee: A committee that determines the range and scope of service to be provided by I/S technologies, agree on technologies to be utilized, and establish criteria for I/S investment.
Stock Option: (1) Right to purchase or sell a stock at a specified price within a stated period. Options are a popular investment medium, offering an opportunity to hedge positions in other securities, to speculate in stocks with relatively little investment, and to capitalize on changes in the options strategies. (2) Widely used as a form of employee incentive and compensation, usually for the executives of a corporation. The employee is given an option to purchase the corporations shares at a certain price (at or below the market price at the time the option is granted) for a specified period of years.
Subsidiary (fully owned): A company controlled by another company which owns most or all of its shares of stock.
Telecommunication Hub: A point or piece of equipment where a branch of a multipoint network is connected. The network may have a number of geographically distributed hubs or bridging points.
Third Party Software Products: Usually software developed to operate as a supplement or as "add-on" to another software application.
Treasury Function: The function of a company's officer that is responsible for the receipt, custody, investment, and disbursement of funds, for borrowings, and, if it is a public company, for the maintenance of a market for its securities. Depending on the size of the organization, the treasurer may also function as the controller, with accounting and audit responsibilities.
Unix: A versatile operating system developed at AT&T Bell Laboratories. May be used to run microcomputers, minicomputers, and host mainframes for a wide range of tasks, including multi-user systems and local area networks.
Video Conferencing: Video communications that allow conferences and meetings to be held with participants who may be scattered across a room, a building, a country, or the globe. Reducing the need to travel to and from meetings should save employee time, increase productivity, and reduce travel expenses and energy consumption.
Workstation: A computer terminal or micro or mini computer system designed to support the work of one person. Also, a high-powered computer to support the work of professionals in engineering, science, and other areas that require extensive computing power and graphics capabilities.

Some of the definitions used in this glossary are from:

Campsey, B.J. and Brigham E.F. Introduction to Financial Management, 3rd ed., Dryden Press, 1991.

Dologite, D.G. Using Computers, Prentice-Hall, 1987.

Fitzgerald, J. Business Data Communications, 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993.

Martin, E.W. et al. Managing Information Technology, 2nd ed., Macmillan Publishing Company, 1994.

Needles, B.E. et al. Financial & Managerial Accounting, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1988.

O'Brien, J. A. Introduction to Information Systems in Business Management, 6th ed., Irwin, 1991.