Have you found yourself staring at an uncooperative computer thinking “I really need to hire IT support services”? If so, you are not alone, and you are not wrong. Internet technology changes at such a rapid pace that most businesses can’t be expected to keep up without IT support staff.
But when searching for the right company, you must know what exactly you’re looking for. Not sure if you need front end, back end, or full-stack support? Wondering what the blockchain is and how to use it? Curious if you need to be using SEO?
When it comes to IT support and services, there are a lot of technical terms. Knowing the ins and outs of this language can make or break your search for a competent managed IT services provider. Review this guide for some essential IT terms you should know when looking for support services.
IT Terms
Below are 15 general IT terms that will help build your tech vocabulary if you’re starting from square one. If most of them are completely new to you, do some further research to enhance your understanding. There are countless other words and phrases you should familiarize yourself with, but these make a good jumping-off point.
Basics
Here are five basic terms any technology company should know well and be familiar with. When considering your needs, it’s important to understand the building blocks for most tech lingo. CCS offers support services in all of these realms and far more.
1) Front End: This is the customer-facing part of the platform or technology. It’s where the UI (User Interface – defined below) exists. Maintaining the front end usually means interface development and updates.
2) Back End: Back end is the hidden part of the tech that customers don’t interact with. It’s usually only accessible by the company running the tech with a login. Glitches in code or changes to the design are resolved in the back end.
3) Full Stack: This refers to both the front end and back end together, or the tech as a whole. Developers may specialize in “front end,” “back end,” or “full-stack.” You can use these terms to identify where the action is happening.
4) UX: An abbreviation for User Experience, this is how the customer feels while using the tech. UX should generally be easy, entertaining, and quick. The UX of a platform is generally a top priority because a customer’s internal feelings will dictate their actions.
5) UI: Short for User Interface, UI refers to how the customer interacts with the tech in the front end. UI should be well-designed and easy to navigate. The User Interface generally influences User Experience.
These IT terms will give you a foundational understanding from which to build your tech vocabulary. Read on to learn more specific terms.
Internet-Based
These terms relate specifically to technology that is internet-based. Knowing and understanding these terms is critical if you plan on relying on the internet for your technology, which most all do at this point.
6) API: This stands for Application Programming Interface. It’s a standardized code used by all developers so that different programs can interact.
7) Cloud: The cloud is a data storage system that is not connected to your computer. It’s hosted on a different server and can be accessed online.
8) Metadata: This is smaller information about bigger pieces of data; file size, date of creation, image resolution, etc, are examples of metadata. They are usually attached to a file or image at creation but info can be added as the data travels.
9) SEO: Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is metadata or content used specifically to make the tech or platform appear higher in the list of search results. Tags and keywords are part of SEO.
10) AR, VR, and XR: These stand for Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality, respectively. Augmented reality is the digital addition of images over images or video from the real world; virtual reality is an entirely digital universe where the user can participate as if it’s reality and mixed reality is a combination of the two.
Understanding the lexicon of internet technology is another important step to fully grasping how to talk tech. But of course, as tech changes, so do the words used to describe it.
Buzzwords of 2022
Since IT terminology is developing as quickly as the tech itself, it’s important to know the newest IT terms and their meanings. These words are the latest to be added to the IT dictionary and will impact how you do business going forward.
11) Blockchain: This is a new digital tracking system where ownership of digital assets is clear, transparent and cannot be manipulated. The blockchain is decentralized (below) and exists in the cloud.
12) NFTs: This is buzzworthy shorthand for non-fungible tokens. NFTs prove ownership of a digital asset like a meme or a song. They are traded on the blockchain with cryptocurrency (below).
13) Metaverse: Referring to the digital space where the blockchain and NFTs function, it’s also the space where virtual reality exists. A mashup of “meta” and “universe,” this is a broad term that isn’t exclusive to the Facebook-branded “MetaVerse.”
14) Decentralized: When a platform or technology has no ownership, it’s decentralized. The blockchain is a perfect example- it has no specific owner or moderators. These systems are being increasingly leaned upon to escape growing internet oversight.
15) Cryptocurrency: This refers to any of the digital currencies out there, like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Crypto is used to purchase NFTs and other goods and services in virtual reality. The digital marketplace where NFTs are accepted is decentralized.
Knowing these terms will provide a basic understanding of the latest trends in technology. They’re a good way to get the conversation started if you are interested in learning more about what many see as the future of technology.
Why You Need IT Services
With all of these varying and evolving IT terms, it’s hard to keep up with your own tech needs. When you’re running and managing a company, tech support should be the last thing on your mind. This is why outsourcing these services is in your best interest.
CCS provides managed IT services that can cover a vast range of needs. By reviewing the terms above and being aware of your needs, you can accurately determine where we can be most useful. Reach out for a quote today!
