Presented below is a list of selected terms and jargon used in the accounting software industry. Do you have a term that we've missed? If so, e-mail us by clicking here.
|
ASP |
This
acronym refers to "Application Service Provider". ASPs generally load an
application (like Oracle Small Business Suite or SAP) on a remote server, and then
allow customers to access that application for a monthly or annual rental fee. This
service is also referred to as "Hosting". Popular ASPs include IBM, EDS,
Future-Link, and the Taylor Group. |
|
Client Server |
This
term describes an accounting system (or any program) that is designed to process
data at both the client computer (workstation) and the server (file server). The
result is that the server is able to perform much of the calculations, sorts, and
computations at the server level and then send the results to the workstation. The
effect of client server is to dramatically reduce the amount of traffic on local
area networks and wide area networks, and thus increase speed in heavy traffic
environments. Client server technology is essential when operating a system through
low bandwidth connections such as a telephone line and in situations with very
large volumes of data. |
|
CRM |
This
acronym refers to "Customer Relationship Management". Originally referred to as
"Contact Management" and then as "Sales Force Automation", CRM encompasses a wide
assortment of capabilities designed to help a company better manage their
customers. |
|
Discrete Manufacturing |
This
term refers to the manufacturing of specific unique items to exacting
specifications such as a custom-made cabinet or a new sophisticated carburetor.
Discrete manufacturing is used heavily by the engineering, automotive, electronics,
and aerospace industries, among others. |
|
Eat Your Own Dog Food |
This is
a term used by the industry to describe the fact that the accounting vendor uses
its' own software to run its' business. |
|
ERP |
This is
an acronym for "Enterprise Resource Planning". Once you get above a certain price,
high end accounting software packages are generally referred to as ERP
Systems. |
|
Front Office Automation |
Closely
related to CRM, this refers to applications that are designed to be used when
working with a customer, the results of which are transmitted seamlessly back to
the back office applications (general ledger). For example, the radio clipboard
used by a UPS delivery person to capture the customer's signature and transmit it
back to headquarters is an example of front office automation. |
|
FRx |
FRx is
a financial reporting tool sold by FRx Software out of Denver, CO. This link will
take you to the
FRx home page. |
|
Hosting |
See ASP
above |
|
Integrated |
This
term means that the data from one module or system flows directly to another module
or system without rekeying the data. Seamless integration means that the data flows
automatically with no action required by the user. |
|
JBOPS |
This
term is an acronym that refers to the top ERP products JD Edwards, Baan, Oracle
Financials, PeopleSoft, and SAP. |
|
JBLOPS |
This is
the acronym we use here at Accounting Software World to refer to the JBOPS -
including Lawson Software. |
|
Just-In-Time |
Refers
to the process of ordering inventory so that it arrives just-in-time for you to use
it. This reduces the cost of carrying excessive levels of inventory that are not
needed by reducing interest expense and warehousing costs. |
|
PP |
This
acronym refers to "Production Planning" in which complex calculations are used to
schedule various production processes and order raw materials
just-in-time. |
|
Screen Scrape |
This
term is used to describe an older DOS-based accounting system that has implemented
a Windows front end on top of the older technology. The resulting product looks
like a Windows product, but is really still a DOS-based product
underneath. |
|
SME |
This
acronym refers to the "Small to Medium Enterprise Market" generally defined as
companies with revenue ranging from $50 million to $500 million. |
|
SCM |
This
acronym refers to "Supply Chain Management". This refers to a companies suppliers,
the suppliers' suppliers, and so on. Accounting systems that support the "Supply
Chain" provide the ability to link their systems seamlessly into it's suppliers and
customer up and down the chain. |
