Glossary

In IT, best-of-breed refers to a strategy where companies select the best available solutions and systems from various vendors to create an optimal IT infrastructure. Instead of relying on a single all-in-one solution from one provider, companies choose individual components from different solutions to best suit their needs.

Composable Commerce refers to the use of various modular building blocks and services, connected via APIs, to create a customized and flexible e-commerce solution. Unlike traditional monolithic e-commerce platforms, which tend to be inflexible and difficult to update, Composable Commerce allows for the quick addition of new features or removal of unwanted ones, since they are linked externally through APIs and not woven into existing systems. This approach also enables the integration of third-party services, such as payment processing, shipping, and tax services, to enhance user experience and optimize operations.

In e-commerce, “Headless” refers to an architecture where the presentation layer (frontend) is separated from the backend logic and data. In other words, the part responsible for displaying products and interacting with the user (frontend) is detached from the part that manages orders, inventory, customers, and other crucial data (backend). This access is done through APIs, decoupling the logic from the presentation and allowing the display to be built independently, without dependencies.

Individual software is developed and further developed specifically for use by a customer or company.

Monolithic and Microservices architectures are two popular approaches for building software applications. Here are some differences between them:

• Architecture: Monolithic applications are built as a single unit, with all components tightly integrated and dependent on each other. Microservices, on the other hand, are designed as a collection of small, independent services that communicate with each other via APIs.

• Scalability: Monolithic applications are harder to scale, as they must be deployed as a whole. Microservices, however, are designed to be scaled independently, providing greater flexibility.

• Flexibility: Microservices are more flexible than monolithic applications, as they are loosely coupled and allow services to be added or removed as needed. In contrast, changes to a monolithic application can be more challenging because the components are tightly interconnected.

• Deployment: Monolithic applications are deployed as a single unit, which can be complex and time-consuming. Microservices, on the other hand, can be deployed independently, making the deployment process faster and more efficient.

• Maintenance: Monolithic applications can be more difficult to maintain, as any code change can affect the entire application. Microservices, however, are modular and can be maintained independently, making updates or problem resolution easier.

On-premise means that the application/software is licensed and provided by the manufacturer. Typically, the manufacturer offers updates and developments, which must be rolled out or installed independently by the operator/license holder. The operation of the application is the responsibility of the licensee.

(___ Space for your own definitions and ideas ___) 🙂

SaaS stands for “Software-as-a-Service.” This is a cloud computing service where software applications are delivered over the internet. Unlike traditional software installations on local devices, SaaS software is not installed on users’ devices but is accessed over the internet via a web browser or mobile app. SaaS applications are developed and managed by a provider. Customers can use the applications through a subscription model and usually have access to all features of the application via the internet.

With SaaS, companies can access the latest version of the software without the cost and complexity of maintaining and updating local software infrastructure. SaaS services are also highly scalable, allowing software resources to be better adjusted to the actual needs of companies and users.

Off-the-shelf software refers to application programs or software products that have already been developed, tested, and made available on the market. This software is designed for a wide range of applications and can be used by different companies and organizations. The use of off-the-shelf software offers several advantages, such as lower development and implementation costs, quicker time-to-market, high quality and reliability, easy integration with other systems, and a wide range of support and training resources. However, off-the-shelf software also has some drawbacks, particularly when specific company requirements or processes are not fully covered by the software. In such cases, custom software development or adjustments may be necessary to meet the company’s specific needs.