Glossary
APPLICATIONS
Applications programs (‘application’, or ‘app’, for short) are computer programs designed to perform a group of functions or tasks for a user’s benefit. Word processors, media players and web browsers are some examples of applications.
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
Also called ‘BI’. The analysis of an organisation’s raw data in order to gain actionable business insight.
BIG DATA
Big Data is the term used to identify data sets that are so large that traditional data processing methods do not suffice. When analysed accurately, Big Data can support more accurate decision-making within an enterprise.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
Also called CRM, this refers to the methods and technologies that companies use to manage and analyse customer interactions in order to improve those interactions and increase customer retention and profitability.
DATA ANALYTICS
Analytics is the process by which meaningful patterns are uncovered in data. This is often achieved by applying statistical methods to large, detailed datasets using computer software. The output from data analytics is typically presented visually using specialist data visualisation tools.
DATA INTEGRATION
The combining of data residing in different sources to provide a unified view of that data.
DATA MANAGEMENT
The development and execution of plans, programs, and practices that control, protect and deliver stored data.
DATA MIGRATION
The process of transferring data between storage systems, formats, or computer systems.
DATA MINING
A field of computer science that involves discovering patterns in large data sets and transforming that data into usable information.
DATA QUALITY
The assessment of data to determine its fitness to serve its given purpose.
DATABASE MARKETING
A form of direct marketing that uses databases of customers or potential customers to generate personalised, targeted communications.
ENTERPRISE DATA WAREHOUSE
A central repository of integrated data from one or more sources, both current and historical, for reporting and analysis.
ETL
Extract, Transform, and Load; The extracting of data from one or many sources, the transformation of it into a standard format or structure, and the loading of it into a final target.
LOGICAL DATA MODEL
A standardised model displaying a detailed representation of an organisation’s data, standardising attributes and the relationships between them.
MACHINE LEARNING
A field of computer science that explores the construction of algorithms that can learn from, and make predictions on, data.
MAINFRAME
A central computer (usually supplied by IBM) in a large organisation, used primarily for critical applications and block data processing.
Massively Parallel Processing
A large number of processors, or separate computers, perform a set of computations in parallel. MPP systems are linearly scalable, in that doubling the number of processors doubles the processing power, examples include Teradata, Netezza and Greenplum.
MASTER DATA MANAGEMENT
The method of enabling an organisation to link all of its critical data to one file as a single point of reference.
PERFORMANCE TUNING
The improvement of a system’s performance, increasing its ability to handle a higher workload, or to execute the existing workload in a shorter timeframe.
pivotal greenplum database (gpdb)
Greenplum is MPP relational database management software used to manage data warehouses. Greenplum can be deployed as an appliance, on a customer’s preferred server/storage hardware or via the public cloud.
physical database design
The translating of the logical data model into technology specific SQL statements that define a database.
predictive analytics
A branch of advanced analytics focussed on making predictions about the future based on historical data, using techniques such as data mining.
professional services
Often described as consultants, firms who offer professional services provide specialised knowledge in a specific field.
relational database management system
A RDMS is a computer application that interacts with users, other applications and the database itself to capture and analyse data, based on the relational model. Examples include Teradata, Oracle, SQL Server, DB2 and Greenplum.
symmetric multiprocessing
Also called SMP. The processing of programs by multiple processors sharing a common operating system and memory. These shared features affect the scalability of SMP.
teradata
Teradata is an MPP relational database management system used to manage data warehouses, which can be deployed as an appliance, as a private cloud or via the public cloud.
teradata certified master
The highest qualification available in Teradata.
very large database
A very large database, or VLDB, is a database that contains an extremely high number of database rows, or occupies an extremely large physical filesystem storage space.
