intY’s Techionary!

This one’s pretty simple, when you know… A/B testing simply refers to two ideas being put into practice and tested to see which one is most effective.

Analytics are the tools we use to analyse online digital results behind digital business efforts. We use these tools to discover and interpret meaningful patterns and trends in data, so that we can adapt and improve a digital strategy.

API – Application Programming Interface –  allows software programmes to talk to each other and exchange information. For example, if you want to buy a ticket to a sports game online you would enter your payment information, the site then uses an API to send your payment information to another application for verification. Once checked the application will send a response back to the ticket site to confirm its ok to issue the tickets. All this is processed in the background, and the customer only has to visit one site.

Artificial intelligence is intelligent behaviour from machines. Rather than from humans or animals which is referred to as natural intelligence (NI), AI is more precise and intelligent. AI research is defined by the practice of using intelligent agents, which in layman’s terms refers to a device that, with a set goal, recognises its environment and takes necessary actions to maximise its chance of success.

Let’s quickly clear up one common misconception; augmented reality is the same as virtual reality. It’s not. Augmented reality is defined as an enhanced vision of reality, where digital information is added to a picture of something.

Physical example: Microsoft HoloLense, Pokemon Go app.

This essentially refers to sets of data so large, standard data analysis software cannot analyse it. Big companies will benefit from big data, but only if they know how to extract the important information from it…

Biowearables are simply devices that can be worn, and which collect and transmit data from the body.

Physical example: iWatch, sports watches.

A representation in which each item corresponds to one or more bits of information, especially the information used to control the display of a computer screen.

Blockchain refers to the secure trail of transactions between various computers. As data flows from one computer to another, it creates a virtual paper trail, and the blocks are linked and secured using cryptography. Blockchain is a core component for the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin.

BYOD is fast becoming a popular business method for employees. It simply means to ‘bring your own device’ to work, instead of using work devices. We will see an increase in BYOD security services and budget in the coming year, so this will be one to watch.

 The CPU is the Central processing unit; the brain of the computer; controls the other elements of the computer.

A digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank.

The practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer

You may have heard of dark data before. It’s less commonly heard right now, but in 2018, it’s predicted to be more well known. It simply refers to our ‘data hoarding’ tendencies. Everywhere, in every company and in ever personal life, data is being collected by us all. We have duplicate data for the ‘just in case’ moments when we’ll never really need it.

Data mining is literally that – digging mines into data to find information. When we carry out data mining, we’re digging deep to find consumer patterns, behaviours and relationships to help us better understand our audience’s wants and needs.

Digital disruption refers to the disruption caused in business by new emerging technologies and/or business models. The new digital technologies can disrupt the value of existing products and services, causing digital disruption.

A small flexible disk used for storing computer data.

An intranet that can be partially accessed by authorized outside users, enabling businesses to exchange information over the Internet in a secure way.

Permanent software programmed into a read-only memory.

Graphical user interface; uses pictures and words to represent ideas, choices, functions, etc.

The machines, wiring, and other physical components of a computer or other electronic system.

Hypertext Markup Language, a standardized system for tagging text files to achieve font, colour, graphic, and hyperlink effects on World Wide Web pages.

The Internet of Things refers to the network of connected devices that will collect and transmit data via the internet.

Physical example: Sports watches, mobile phones, cash machines.

A local or restricted communications network, especially a private network created using World Wide Web software.

A short length of conductor used to close, open or bypass part of an electronic circuit.

A kernel is the foundational layer of an operating system.

A logic error is a program’s source code that causes it to operate incorrectly.

Metadata is data about data… In digital, when we upload content to the content management system behind our websites, the metadata is very important. It tells search engines what your web content is about, and helps to improve your online ranking.

Multi-cloud is where an organisation will utilise multiple cloud computing services in one diverse architecture. Deploying a multi-cloud solution helps to mitigate risk across providers, and increases flexibility and agility. Using multiple clouds means you can tailor the solution to the workload, making it more efficient and cost effective. As the saying goes, don’t put all your eggs in one basket…

The correct or acceptable way of using the Internet.

The low-level software that supports a computer’s basic functions, such as scheduling tasks and controlling peripherals.

A phablet is the hybrid of two well-known devices; phone and tablet. They’re significantly bigger than the usual smartphone, but also significantly smaller than pretty much all tablets on the market. Any phone with a screen larger than 5.5” or bigger has now been dubbed phablet.

A small chip found in a computer that receives input and provides the appropriate output.

A machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares, typically used for storing URLs or other information for reading by the camera on a smartphone.

The place in a computing device where the operating system, programs and data in current use are kept.

The programs and other operating information used by a computer.

The amount of material or items passing through a system or process.

A program for carrying out routine functions.

So, augmented reality is essentially adding layers of information to a picture. Virtual reality is defined by the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment. Virtual reality presents us with a false 3D environment through a headset, and it tempts us into believing that what we are seeing is real.

Physical example: Oculus Rift

A piece of code which is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data.

Vlogging is the name for a video blogger. Instead of writing articles, a vlogger will document data in videos. A video blog will usually be supported with images and a transcript, as well as other metadata.

A computer network that spans a relatively large geographical area.

A markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable.

A unit of information equal to one septillion (1024) or, strictly, 280 bytes.

A zip file (.zip) is a “zipped” or compressed file.