Glossary

3

3D simulation software

Software used to simulate real environments, which allows the user to experience in a virtual environment, without risk, different situations in order to gain insights transportable to the physical world. Simulation software can have several applications, namely for training employees, for optimizing production systems or for product development and design, among others.

a

API

Application Programming Interface: set of routines, communication protocols and tools used to build software, which enables the use of its features by other applications that are not involved in the programming detail of the software. The Application Programming Interface allows two differently coded applications to communicate with each other in a safe and secure way.

Application architecture

Set of applications used by an organization in data management and support of internal processes.

Artificial Intelligence

Attribution to computer systems of human-like intelligence mechanisms.

Augmented Reality

Integration and overlapping of elements and virtual content (visual content, audio or other sensory improvements) in the physical world, complementing it, that is, the user continues to see the real world, enhanced with some virtual elements. This technology can be applied in the most varied industries, from entertainment to medicine and the automotive industry.

c

Customer journey

Representation of all stages in which the customer contacts the company / brand - from their first contact to their post-purchase experience. The mapping and analysis of the customer journey allows the organization to increase its knowledge about customer behaviour and identify critical / friction points, in order to improve the negative points and maintain or enhance positive points. The customer journey must be reviewed and mapped frequently.

Customization

Action to modify something so that it is better suited to a particular individual or task. Generally, in the business environment, customization is closely related to the suitability of the product / message to the customer's taste and needs, adapting it according to their preferences or personal specifications.

d

Digitalization

Process involving the transformation of company operations, through the use of digital technologies, and new processes, systems, tools and means of collaboration, changing the way it acts and making processes more intelligent. Such a transformation implies new revenue and creation of value opportunities for the organization.

Digital transformation

Process in which organizations use what is most technological today, as tools and methodologies for analysing technological data, to increase productivity and, consequently, enhance their results, also generating more value for the customer. This is an extensive process, in which technology takes on a central role in the organization.

e

Ecosystem

Network of organizations, which includes suppliers, customers, distributors, institutions and other partners, in a cycle of value generation and aggregation. The idea of ecosystem is related to the fact that each element affects and is affected by the others, creating a constantly evolving relationship in which the entities must be flexible and able to adapt and collaborate, just as in a biological ecosystem.

h

Horizontal integration

Integration of the organization's processes and systems with other stakeholders in the value chain, from suppliers and partners to the customer.

i

Interoperability

Ability of a system, computerized or not, to communicate transparently with another system.

IoT - Internet of Things

Concept which comprises all devices and objects that are enabled to be permanently connected to the Internet, able to identify themselves on the network / with computing capability and to communicate with each other.

k

KPI - key performance indicators

Quantifiable measures that allow the organization to measure its performance over time. To be effective, a KPI must be well defined and quantifiable. Also, it must be clear what is being measured and communicated to the entire company / department that influences that KPI, and is crucial to achieving the objective. Targets must also be defined for each KPI and the real progress motorized and compared with the target values.

m

Monetization models

Process of moving from something that did not allow the company to extract revenue in order to move to something that effectively generates revenue, that is, the process of making something profitable. An example of monetization is the revenue generation of some companies by transferring their users' data to third parties.

o

Omni-channel strategy

Approach adopted by organizations to provide customers with a coherent and aligned purchase experience across multiple platforms, regardless of the channel chosen, whether physical or online.

p

Predictive analysis

Practice of extracting information from data sets, in order to identify / determine patterns to predict future results and trends, with some degree of reliability. Applied to businesses, predictive models are used to analyse current data and past information to better understand customers, products and processes and to help identify potential risks and opportunities for the organization.

r

RFID - radio frequency identification

Technology for automatic identification through radio signals, capturing and storing data remotely through RFID tags, attached to objects. This technology can be used whenever it is necessary to identify or track / locate objects, namely for stock control or monitoring of articles throughout the production process and in logistics and transportation.

s

Simulation tools

Instruments (such as, for example, 3D simulation software) that allow the modelling of phenomena through a set of mathematical formulas. Thus, it is possible to observe the behaviour of an operation without the need to execute it, being very useful in the conception and design phases of products, equipment and solutions, since it allows to interactively match the specifications without the use of physical resources.

Systems architecture

Conceptual model that represents the structure, behaviour and interactions between different applications / software in an organization.

t

Technological innovation

Improvement / optimization of services, products, business models and processes of the organization through the use of digital technologies.

v

Vertical integration

Integration of processes and systems of all hierarchical levels within an organization.

Virtual Reality

Creation of a virtual environment presented to the user so that he has the feeling of being present in this “virtual world”. Once immersed in that environment, the user is able to interact with it and manipulate objects or perform actions, such as moving around.

Reserved area

Theia

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