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Glossary
Glossary G-L
G
GPRS
General Packet Radio Service is a data transmission technology for cellular telephone networks, e.g. for transferring Web pages to a cellular phone. Billing is usually based on data volume.
Grid Computing
A Grid is a network of interconnected mainframe computers. Any computer with spare capacity makes its computing resources available to any other on request. The computers are connected by a high-performance backbone, generally the Internet's backbone. Grids offer an efficient, effective way of handling complex tasks across organizational boundaries. Users at all network locations have access to all available resources as and when they need them.
GSM (= Global System for Mobile Communications)
The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM: originally from Groupe Spéciale Mobile) is a standard for fully digital mobile phone networks that are mainly used for telephony, but also for circuit-switched and packet-switched data transmission and for text messaging. It is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world.
H
Hacker
Hackers are people who enjoy the intellectual challenge of finding their way around sophisticated software systems. Unlike typical users, who prefer to learn only the basic functionality, hackers will try to find out just what a program can do, or even expand its capabilities. That can include overcoming security controls to penetrate computer systems and access sensitive data. In contrast to hackers, crackers frequently cause willful damage to computer systems and manipulate or publicize confidential data.
Homeland Security
Homeland Security includes all activities by government or businesses to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism, and also to respond to natural disasters.
Hotspot
A Hotspot is a freely accessible or protected venue that offers Wi-Fi access to the Internet or to a corporate Wireless LAN (WLAN), usually as a paid-for service.
HPC (=High Performance Computing)
High Performance Computing refers to the use of parallel supercomputers and computer clusters to perform complex computations.
I
ICT
Information and Communication Technology. These two terms began to be combined in the 1980s to emphasize the growing convergence between the two technologies.
IFRS
Abbreviation for International Financial Reporting Standards, a body of accounting standards.
Internal control
An internal control system is a set of systematic organizational measures and controls implemented by an enterprise to ensure compliance with guidelines and regulations, and to prevent potential damage caused by employees or the malicious activities of third parties.
Internet Service Provider
An ISP is a company that offers access to the Internet. Virtual ISPs offer this service without actually operating any infrastructure of their own.
Intranet
An intranet is a network based on the same technology as the Internet (TCP/IP, HTTP), but intended for a restricted group of users. Enterprises often deploy intranets as a convenient way of supplying information to their employees.
IP VPN
A Virtual Private Network based on the Internet Protocol (IP), such as a corporate intranet. An IP VPN permits the local networks (LANs) connected to it to exchange data via a secure channel (IP tunneling). This enables users to access a corporate network from any Internet access point throughout the world.
IT (= Information Technology)
Information Technology (IT) is a collective term for information and data processing and the hardware and software used for this purpose.
ITCS (Intermodal Transport Control System )
A computer-based control system used in public transportation.
ITIL (= Information Technology Infrastructure Library)
The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) describes procedures involved in managing and operating IT infrastructure. ITIL procedures are not technology-centric but service-oriented.
ITU-T ( = International Telecommunication Union)
The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) coordinates standards for telecommunications on behalf of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Headquartered in Geneva, it is a United Nations organization and the only official international body to publish technical recommendations for telecommunications systems.
J
Just In Time
A production-control strategy where materials, parts or semi-finished goods required at a particular production stage are not delivered until shortly before they are needed. Among other things, this enables companies to cut their inventory costs.
K
KIS
A hospital information system (HIS) is a comprehensive, integrated information system used to manage a clinic's medical and administrative data.
L
Location Based Services (LBS)
Location Based Services play a key role in ensuring mobility and flexibility in today’s networked world. For complex business models – such as that of Toll Collect – LBS identifies the position of objects, and captures and manages the corresponding data. The company’s pioneering road-pricing system gathers information on a truck’s location and calculates road charges– one example of how LBS can be combined with satellite and wireless technology to provide visibility into the movement of traffic and goods. LBS are high-availability services that can be deployed practically anywhere – enabling entirely new business models. What’s more, Location-Based Services can simplify and improve everyday life for consumers, too.