The ability to play according to the new rules requires you to understand the language. It's hard to be the victor when you can't translate the call. An entire new language full of syntax, innuendo and slang is being spoken all around us. Some of this new language is key to our survival in business and is defined here for your review and reference.
B2B
Abbreviation for Business-to-Business. E-commerce models that help companies work together via the internet. There is no consumer or end user interaction in B2B.
B2C
Abbreviation for Business to Consumer. E-Commerce models for consumers that can either be direct sale or clicks-and-mortar sites.
Bandwidth
A term used to describe the quantity of information that can be delivered in a specific amount of time.
Click-and-Buy
Websites where consumers can purchase directly on-line and have the item shipped directly to their home.
Clicks-and-Mortar
Websites that offer the customer the option of either direct purchase or directions to a retail establishment to complete the purchase in traditional manner.
EDI
Abbreviation for Electronic Data Interchange. This is a method for exchanging standard data formats via hard-lined systems. This method has been employed prior to the internet becoming a viable business data exchange venue.
E-commerce
Commerce through the use of transaction-based websites.
E-business
General category of internet/intranet business communications. E-commerce is a subset of e-business. This term is constantly evolving.
Extranet
A portion of the Internet used by an organization to foster communication with its suppliers, large customers and strategic partners
FTP
Abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol. A mechanism for uploading and downloading files between two computers connected by the internet.
HTML
Abbreviation for Hypertext Markup Language. The most common language used to author web pages.
HTTP
Abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. A mechanism for making requests and sending responses between two computers connected to the internet. Commonly used for transferring HTML files from a web server to a web browser.
Internet
The federation of interconnected public and private networks running the standard Internet Protocol. See also TCP/IP.
Intranet
A portion of the internet used to connect systems within the confines of a particular organization and not accessible to outsiders.
PDF
Abbreviation for Portable Document Format. A standard format, developed by Adobe Systems, for representing documents in a platform-neutral manner.
Portal
A website that provides an entry point to a community of products, lifestyles or services.
SMTP
Abbreviation for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. An internet protocol for transferring electronic mail between mail servers.
SQL
Abbreviation for Structured Query Language. An ISO standard for querying relational database management systems.
TCP/IP
Abbreviation for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A standard low-level protocol combination used for communication in many networking applications.
VAN
An acronym for Value Added Network. VAN's are privately maintained networks that are dedicated to EDI between business partners.
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
A cooperative industry organization that defines standards relevant to web applications
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
The internet standard for representing the type and logical location of networked resources. For example, the URL "http://www.foocompany.com.home.html" indicates the file pathname, domain name and connection protocol for Foo Company's web home page.
XML
An acronym for Extensible Markup Language. The XML specification was published in draft form by a working group at the World Wide Web Consortium and supported by the leading companies in the computer industry.
X12
The language used in EDI Standards