Glossary

Glossary

Need help defining a IT Architecture term or acronym ? We made this glossary and IT dictionary—filled with helpful resources and articles—to help you decode your business IT ecosystem.

#

An expanded version of the 5R method used in application portfolio management and migration strategies. The 8Rs include: Retain (keep the application as it is), Retire (remove if it's no longer needed), Replace (substitute with a better solution), Rehost (move to a new physical or cloud environment), Re-platform (modify the underlying platform), Refurbish (upgrade or improve the current application), Repurchase (buy a new version or alternative solution), and Refactor (alter the application code to improve performance without changing its external behavior). It aids in aligning IT infrastructure with business needs.

A

A software program or set of programs designed to streamline business operations. These applications can range from customer relationship management tools and project management software, to financial systems and supply chain management. They enable businesses to enhance productivity, improve efficiency, and make more informed business decisions.

Refers to the set of software applications and software-based services that a business has in its disposal. This portfolio aids in the management of existing resources, strategic planning, and future IT investments. Managing it effectively can lead to increased business efficiency by identifying redundant applications and optimizing resource usage.

Refers to the structure and behavior of IT systems, processes, and infrastructure within an organization. It includes the technical framework as well as the principles and practices used to design and build the infrastructure. It provides a blueprint for managing and coordinating the organization’s data, applications, hardware, and network resources.

C

(Configuration Management Database): A comprehensive repository of information about an organization's IT components (such as computers, servers, and software) and their interdependencies. It enables IT teams to track and manage IT assets, support IT service management processes, and provide valuable input for strategic decision-making.

D

Describes the path that data takes from its original source to its destination point, including all the systems and processes it encounters along the way. This includes its transmission, storage, and transformation. Understanding this flow is crucial for managing data, ensuring its security, integrity, and compliance with regulations.

I

The process of visually outlining an organization's IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and network connections. Kabeen facilitates efficient IT mapping by automatically collecting relevant data from your applications.

A framework for delivering and managing IT services that aligns with business needs. ITSM primarily focuses on the customer's need for IT services, rather than on IT systems themselves. It involves processes, procedures, and policies to manage the design, delivery, and maintenance of IT services.

K

Quantifiable measure used to evaluate the success of an organization, employee, etc., in meeting objectives for performance. Kabeen uses KPIs to help businesses make data-driven decisions.

P

A category of cloud computing services providing a platform that allows customers to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with developing and launching an app. This model can increase the speed of development of an app, and lead to cost savings.

R

A strategy used in IT management to identify which business applications should be kept, replaced, retired, or consolidated. The goal is to improve efficiency, reduce complexity, and lower costs by having a lean and optimally performing application portfolio. It's a significant process during digital transformation efforts, cloud migration, and IT modernization.

S

Software distribution model where a service provider hosts applications for customers and makes them available over the internet. Kabeen's product is a SaaS solution, meaning users can access it anywhere, anytime.

Refers to information technology systems, solutions, and activities carried out within an organization without the explicit approval or oversight of the IT department. While it can lead to innovation and agility, it also poses potential risks including data security breaches, and compliance issues.

T

Total Cost of Ownership - Refers to the estimation of all direct and indirect costs associated with an IT asset over its lifecycle. This includes initial acquisition costs, ongoing maintenance, operational expenses, and even costs related to decommissioning or disposal. TCO provides organizations with a more comprehensive view of the investment and the return on their technology expenditures.

Refers to the state wherein an IT asset or technology becomes outdated or no longer beneficial due to advancements in technology, changes in business requirements, or the asset reaching the end of its lifecycle. Obsolescence can lead to inefficiency, increased risk, and higher maintenance costs, and thus proactive management of IT assets lifecycle is crucial.

TIME (Tolerate, Invest, Migrate, Eliminate) in IT: A model used in application portfolio management to classify applications based on their business fit and technical quality. "Tolerate" refers to stable applications that meet minimum business requirements. "Invest" applies to applications with high potential value, where additional investments could yield significant business benefits. "Migrate" refers to important business applications with technical deficiencies that could be addressed by migrating to a different platform or architecture. "Eliminate", as its name suggests, are systems that pose more cost and risks than benefits, and thus, elimination is recommended. This model aids in aligning IT strategies with business goals.

A methodology and framework for enterprise architecture that provides a comprehensive approach to the design, planning, implementation, and governance of an enterprise's IT architecture. It is designed to cater to an organization's business, data, application, and technology needs while maintaining alignment with business goals.