Glossary
A repository of acronyms, jargon, and useful words
Application packaging
The process used to get software onto devices of relevant users with ease. This involves creating a package of files for each type or piece of software that a company uses.
Business service mapping
Connection and correlation of assets that meet the needs of a segment of the business that has its own plans, metrics, income and costs. Each business unit owns, implements, and manages assets to create value for customers in the form of goods and services.
Cloud cost optimization
Cloud cost optimization refers to the process of efficiently managing and reducing the expenses associated with using cloud computing resources.
Cloud migration
Cloud migration refers to the process of moving digital assets such as data, applications and workloads from on-premises infrastructure or existing cloud environments to a different cloud service provider or cloud platform.
Configuration management database (CMDB)
A configuration management database, or CMDB, is an organization-wide database created as a reference for technology assets, also known as configuration items (CIs), and their contextual relationship information in the IT estate across various business functions. Technology assets typically include hardware and software, but increasingly may include additional hybrid technology.
Data normalization
Data normalization is a systematic approach to refining and structuring raw IT data, transforming it into a consolidated, categorized listing of hardware and software. This process ensures uniformity, accuracy and streamlined IT asset visibility, enabling organizations to derive actionable insights, make informed decisions and maintain a clear view of their IT landscape. It's a cornerstone for achieving optimal IT governance and risk management.
Effective license position (ELP)
Effective license position (ELP): A reconciliation of your current license entitlement against your current software consumption.
End of life (EOL)
End of life (EOL) signifies the predetermined date after which a product will cease to receive full support from its vendor/manufacturer. Recognizing EOL is essential as it indicates the phase where products might become outdated, potentially posing security and operational risks. It's a critical milestone in the lifecycle of IT products, impacting both strategic planning and operational efficiency.
End of support (EOS)
End of support (EOS) marks the designated date when all formal support for a product by its vendor/manufacturer concludes. It’s the final stage of a product’s lifecycle, and it can expose organizations to vulnerabilities, inefficiencies and potential compliance issues, underscoring the importance of proactive IT management. EOS is also sometimes referred to as end of service.
FinOps
FinOps is the practice of optimizing cloud costs through collaboration between finance, operations and engineering teams. FinOps helps organizations manage cloud spending effectively, aligning spend with business goals and optimizing resource allocation.
IT asset management (ITAM)
The end-to-end tracking and management of IT assets to ensure that every asset is properly used, maintained, upgraded and disposed of at the end of its lifecycle.
IT visibility
IT visibility is the ability to have a comprehensive, real-time insight into an organization's entire IT estate. This encompasses everything from traditional on-premises hardware and software to cloud-based services, applications and the vast array of interconnected devices known as the Internet of Things (IoT). This clarity ensures that businesses can proactively manage, optimize and secure their IT resources, fostering informed decision making, risk mitigation and strategic alignment with business goals.
Software asset management
The business initiative for actively governing and automating procurement, usage and deployment of software licenses and subscriptions.
Software vulnerability
Software vulnerability refers to a weakness or flaw within a software application that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the system, data or network on which it operates.
Technology value optimization
Technology value optimization (TVO) involves increasing the return and reducing the cost of information technology (IT) costs. This requires fueling better-informed, data-driven decisions and proactive management of spend and risk to maximize value from technology investments.
