Dictionary

A

ADC - Automatic Data Capture, is an automatic data identification technology. It is primarily used in warehouses and point-of-sale applications.

Algorithm - is a finite sequence of clearly defined steps that must be carried out in order to lead to the solution of a given problem. In relation to programming languages, program code (or a fragment of it) is the implementation of an algorithm responsible for performing a specific task.

Dedicated applications - are bespoke software prepared specifically for a particular application. They allow all functions to be closely tailored to the business. Custom programmes are more flexible in implementation and use than off-the-shelf solutions.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) - A 7-bit numeric code that assigns specific characters to numbers in the range 0-127: letters, digits, punctuation marks, control commands and other symbols.

ATEX - a European Union directive defining the basic requirements to be met by all equipment intended for use in a hazardous area.

Autodiscrimination - the function of a barcode reader to discriminate between two or more symbols.

Automatic identification - a branch of technology dealing with the collection of data and its entry into a computer system without direct human intervention.

B

Bluetooth - a wireless communication technology between various electronic devices operating at short range. It was created as a standard to facilitate data transfer between commonly used devices (computers, mobile phones, tablets, accessories). Its name derives from the nickname of the Danish King Harald Bluetooth, who united the tribes living in Denmark and Norway.

C

CAM system (Computer Aided Manufacturing) - computer aided manufacturing. A class of information systems that integrates the product design and manufacturing process.

Computer-Aided Quality Assurance (CAQ) system - computer aided quality control. A class of information systems designed to support quality management processes.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system - a class of information systems that support the customer relationship management process. Their task is to automate and support customer service at different levels of contact with the company. Potentially, the software can cover all stages of customer relations - from customer acquisition to after-sales activities.

Barcode reader - a device used to read barcodes. Its operation can be based on the use of a laser beam or a vision system (camera type). Barcode readers can be divided into wired or wireless, and read one-dimensional (linear) and two-dimensional codes. The function of a barcode reader can also be performed by other devices, such as terminals - stationary or portable.

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D

DPM (Direct Part Marking) - a technology for permanent marking of the surface of products or their components. It allows items to be marked with barcodes without the use of additional labels.

E

Entrepreneurial Resource Planning (ERP) system. A class of IT systems designed to support all or part of the management processes in a company or group of companies. Their task is to optimise the company's processes and the use of its resources.

G

GTIN - Global Trade Item Identification Number, issued by the GS1 organisation.

H

HIBC - Health Industry Bar Code. Health Industry Bar Code is a barcode standard designed for healthcare, created for easier data exchange between all industry partners.

HRT (Human Readable Text) - a text embedded in or placed next to the barcode that represents the information encoded in it. It allows the content of the code to be read by a human without the need for a barcode reader.

I

Industrial informatics - a branch of knowledge located at the border of information science and industrial technology. At the centre of its interests is the use of information systems in industrial production.

Ingress protection (IP) - a two-digit class of equipment resistance to environmental factors - liquids (values 0-6) and solids (values 0-8, from 50mm to dust). The first digit corresponds to solids (e.g. IP65 - in this case: 6 = dust-tight), the second digit corresponds to immunity from flooding (in the case of IP65: 5 = protection against water jets).

K

Barcode (barcode) - a graphic representation of information in the form of an alternating combination of light and dark elements that absorb or reflect the light emitted by a barcode reader. The way in which the elements are organised is determined by the so-called barcode symbolism.

QR Code (QR Code) - a popular type of matrix, two-dimensional barcode. It has a characteristic square, fixed-dimensional structure and can encode alphanumeric data (letters and numbers). It exists in basic and extended versions.

Panel computer - a class of computers designed for use in various business sectors. A characteristic feature of this type of equipment is the integration of a touchscreen display, which facilitates working under time pressure (e.g. customer service points) or in an environment requiring protective gloves (factory floor).

Industrial computer - a class of equipment (usually PCs) designed for use in industrial settings. Industrial computers have a high resistance to external factors (moisture, temperature, dust).

M

MIL-STD-810 (Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests) - a standard created by the US Army to define standards for the development and testing of equipment for the military. Used frequently in the manufacture of civilian equipment for use in harsh environments.

Manufacturing Execution System (MES) - manufacturing execution system. A class of information systems designed to support the execution of manufacturing processes.

MRP - Material Requirements Planning, is a material requirements planning system. It is based on the simultaneous management of production and inventory management. The system uses data on stock, orders, production plan or product structure, and aims, among other things, to reduce lead times, guarantee the continuity of the production process and the constant turnover of materials. software for production.

MRP II - Material Resources Planning, is an improved version of the basic MRP, enriched with functions such as CRP capacity planning and elements related to the sales process. MRP II is also richer with data related to human resources, time, costs or fixed assets. The basic functions of this system are: business planning, inventory records, demand management, production and order control, procurement, performance measurement, simulations.

N

NFC (Near Field Communication) - a radio standard, which is an extension of ISO/IEC 14443, allowing short-range communication (up to 20 centimetres) based on high-frequency radio waves. It allows connection to other devices operating in this technology as well as cards and readers in the ISO/IEC 14443 standard. It is mainly used in electronic payments and mobile phones.

P

POS terminal - a point-of-sale (POS) terminal used for payment card transactions. The device, through an authorisation centre, connects to the bank and transmits the data necessary to settle the transaction. A POS terminal can also come in a version with a screen, often a touchscreen, in which case we speak of a POS PC version.

Q

QMS - Quality Management System, a comprehensive solution, usually IT-based, the implementation of which leads to the improvement of the offered products and the development of the company's activity. The system covers processes related to each branch of the company's activity: transport, sales, warehousing, production.

R

RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) - a radio data transmission technology that allows the reading and writing of data placed on tags (tags), which enables the remote identification of objects.

RTLS (Real-Time Locating System) - a technology that allows the automatic identification and location of objects or people, using wide-band radio pulses.

S

Barcode symbology - a way of organising the elements of a barcode.

SCM - Supply Chain Management, which covers the processes of procurement, production and distribution. With SCM it is possible to design, plan, execute assumptions, as well as continuously control the supply chain. The system makes it possible to plan the demand for individual products, but also to determine material needs or production capacity.

T

RFID tag (tag, transponder) - an electronic circuit that allows the recording of information about a tagged object that is read out using radio waves.

TMS -ang. Transport Management System. It is an ERP software developed for the logistics and transport industry. The haulier processes the data electronically, for easier planning of transport, driving times, loading, etc. This way, planning the sequence of loading locations and the space needed for transport will be faster with the help of the application.

V

VPN (Virtual Private Network) - virtual private network. A method of tunneling a connection over an unsecured public network that provides security through encryption and authentication, which mimics the operation of a private network. It is used in applications that require the interconnection of several networks or remote access using a secure, high-bandwidth encrypted connection, such as remote working.

W

Barcode verifier - a device used to measure and analyse the properties of a barcode and compare them with the required standard.

Wi-Fi - a term for wireless computer networks based on the IEEE 802.11 standard.

WMS (Warehouse Management System) - warehouse information system. A class of information systems designed to control warehouse processes.

Z

Integrated information system - a class of information systems, modular or comprehensive in design, whose purpose is to cover all management processes at each level of the company within a single application.