Index

Artificial Intelligence: The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning, reasoning, and self-correction.  The Power Platform include AI Builder, a robust set of artificial intelligence tools including many pre-built models. 

A step-by-step procedure or formula for solving a problem, typically used for data processing and automated reasoning. 

Application Lifecycle Management: The continuous process of managing the life of an application through governance, development, and maintenance. See Diagram

Testing usually performed by the developer who created the software, along with other internal personnel who help design the application. 

The discovery, interpretation, and communication of meaningful patterns in data. Often involves the application of statistics, computer programming, and operations research.  Power BI is a highly effective analytics tool. 

Application Programming Interface:  A set of rules and protocols for building and interacting with software applications. APIs allow different programs to communicate with each other.  The Power Platform uses APIs to connector to over 1000 other applications. 

Short for "application," this refers to a type of software designed to perform specific tasks or functions for the user. With Power Apps, custom applications can be built for just about any business need. 

Using of technology to perform tasks with reduced human intervention. In its broadest sense, automation involves systems or machines that take on tasks that were traditionally done by humans, enhancing efficiency and potentially improving accuracy and consistency. Power Automate if the technology used to automate business workflows.

The server-side of a website or web application which is responsible for storing data and running program logic.  Dataverse is used for the backend in many Power Apps and  Power Pages. (See also Frontend)

The process of creating copies of data to ensure that it can be restored in case the original data is lost or damaged. 

The maximum rate of data transfer across a given path. It can refer to the internet connection or data interface.  As it relates to humans, it is often a term used to describe how much workload one can take on. 

A test of a product performed by real users in the real environment.

Business Intelligence: Technologies, applications, and practices for the collection, integration, analysis, and presentation of business information. The purpose of BI is to support better business decision-making. Power BI is the premier business intelligence tool. 

In artificial intelligence and machine learning, bias is an error introduced into the model due to oversimplification, which can lead to skewed outcomes. 

Base-2 numerical system that uses only two symbols, typically 0 and 1. It is the foundation of all modern computer systems and is used internally by virtually all computing devices.

In the binary system, each digit is referred to as a "bit" (short for binary digit), which is the smallest unit of data in computing. 

Originally short for "web log," a blog is a regularly updated website or web page, typically run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.  Power Pages is a great way to distribute content such as blogs to customers. 

A data type that has one of two possible values (usually denoted true and false), intended to represent the two truth values of logic. 

A free and open-source front-end framework for designing websites and web applications which contains design templates based on HTML and CSS, as well as optional JavaScript extensions. 

A software application that runs automated tasks over the internet. Bots typically imitate or replace human user behavior. (See also RPA and Scripts)

A software application used to access and view websites. Common examples include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Edge. 

An error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result. 

A byte consists of eight bits. Each bit is a binary digit, taking the value of either 0 or 1. The sequence of bits within a byte can represent a wide variety of data, from numeric values to encoded characters. 

A hardware or software component that stores data so future requests for that data can be served faster. 

Computer-Aided Design: Software used by architects, engineers, drafters, artists, and others to create precision drawings or technical illustrations.

A type of application built on the Power Platform using Power Apps. Canvas apps provide a blank canvas where the user interface can be highly tailored in app layout as well as interactions. (See also Model-Driven Apps)

Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart: A type of challenge-response test used in computing to determine whether the user is human. (i.e. those annoying little tests)

A conversational model developed by OpenAI, based on the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture. ChatGPT is designed to generate human-like text responses in a conversational manner.

The on-demand availability of computer system resources, especially data storage and computing power, without direct active management by the user. 

A model of computer data storage in which the digital data is stored in logical pools, said to be on "the cloud". The physical storage spans multiple servers (sometimes in multiple locations), and the physical environment is typically owned and managed by a hosting company. 

Content Management System: A software application or set of related programs that are used to create and manage digital content. The Power Platform can be leverage as a CMS. 

In the context of computing and technology, it refers to a set of instructions written in a programming language that is executed by a computer or another digital device. It is the primary method through which developers create software programs, applications, and scripts to perform specific tasks, solve problems, or interact with hardware. The Power Platform utilizes several programing languages, predominately Power FX in Power Apps and DAX in Power BI. 

Refers to the process of writing code, or the set of instructions that tell a computer how to perform tasks. This activity is performed using programming languages like Python or Java, and many others, depending on the specific requirements of the project or task. Coding is a fundamental skill in software development, enabling the creation of software applications, websites, mobile apps, and other digital tools or systems.  The Power Platform is a "no-code/low-code" product where solutions can be developed and deployed rapidly, but can also be extended with traditional coding unlocking additional power. 

A small piece of data sent from a website and stored on the user's computer by the user's web browser while the user is browsing. 

Customer Relationship Management:  A technology for managing all your company's relationships and interactions with customers and potential customers. The Power Platform can be leverage for a CRM. Dynamics 365 also offers a suite of enterprise-level intelligent business applications.

Cascading Style Sheets: A style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in a markup language like HTML.  This is the formatting elements, such as font and color.

Comma-Separated Values: A type of plain text file that uses specific structuring to arrange tabular data. Because it's a text format, it can be easily created, manipulated, and shared. CSV files are especially useful for moving tabular data between programs that natively operate on incompatible formats. 

Software that is designed to work on more than one computing platform, such as both Windows and macOS, or software that works on desktop and mobile. The Power Platform is cross-functional and can be access in a variety of ways.

A group of people with different functional expertise working toward a common goal, often involving people from different departments and across multiple levels of an organization. The Power Platform aids in effective cross-functional communication and collaboration. 

The protection of computer systems from theft or damage to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. With the Power Platform you get the advantage of Microsoft's security systems. 

The quantitative or qualitative values, facts, statistics, or details that are collected through observation. In a technical context, data is typically digital and is processed by computers. It can be anything from numbers and text to images and sound. 

Data is often referred to as the "new oil," a metaphor that emphasizes its value as a critical resource in the digital economy. Just as oil fueled the industrial revolution and economic growth in the 20th century, data is seen as a key driver of innovation, economic growth, and competitive advantage in the 21st century.

A structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways. 

A large group of networked computer servers typically used by organizations for the remote storage, processing, or distribution of large amounts of data.  Microsoft operates a global network of data centers that serve as the backbone for hosting and managing a vast array of services, including Azure cloud services, Microsoft 365, Bing, Xbox Live, and many others. These data centers are strategically located across the globe to ensure reliability, performance, and compliance with local regulations. 

The process of discovering patterns and knowledge from large amounts of data. The data sources can include databases, data warehouses, the web, etc. 

A repository or storage location from which data is retrieved and used by an application. This can include databases, APIs, flat files (like CSV or Excel files), or real-time data feeds. 

A cloud-based storage solution that acts as the data backbone for the Power Platform and Dynamics 365. It allows users to securely store and manage data that's used by business applications.  

Data Analysis Expressions:  A formula language used extensively within Power BI, SQL Server Analysis Services, and Power Pivot in Excel. DAX is designed to work with relational data and perform dynamic aggregation and other advanced data manipulation tasks. 

A subset of machine learning in artificial intelligence (AI) that has networks capable of Unsupervised Learning from Unstructured Data.

JC Pro Services offers a range of training options including in-person training, online training, and customized training programs tailored to meet the specific needs of your team.

The process of making software available for use. 

A mathematical technique used to validate the authenticity and integrity of a message, software, or digital document. 

Document Management System: Computer system and software used in managing, storing, and tracking electronic documents and electronic images of paper-based information. The Power Platform can be leveraged as a DMS. 

The graphical representation of information and data. By using visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps, data visualization tools provide an accessible way to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in data.  Power BI is the ideal tool for amazing visualizations.

An attribute of data which tells the compiler or interpreter how the programmer intends to use the data. There are many data types such as  boolean, choice, date, number, or text just to name a few.   

The maintenance of, and the assurance of the accuracy and consistency of data over its entire life-cycle, and is a critical aspect to the design, implementation, and usage of any system that stores, processes, or retrieves data.

The process of creating a data model for the data to be stored in a database. This modeling helps in visualizing data and enforces business rules, regulatory compliances, and government policies on the data. 

An interdisciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data.  Data scientists often use Power BI for various tasks related to data analysis and visualization.

Microsoft's Dynamics 365 is a collection of enterprise-level intelligent business applications and includes tools for sale, marketing, and customer service. 

Buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. 

Learning conducted via electronic media, typically on the Internet. 

A distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed, to improve response times and save bandwidth. 

Business-oriented software that is typically used to satisfy the needs of an organization rather than individual users.  

Enterprise Resource Planning: Integrated management of main business processes, often in real time and mediated by software and technology.

Extract, Transform, Load:  A type of data integration that refers to the three steps (extract, transform, load) used to blend data from multiple sources. Power BI offers an extensive set of tools for ETL activities.

In databases, a field is a single piece of information; a unit of data. 

Power Automate was once known as Flow but was renamed under the Power Platform. Now, as back then, a "flow" refers to the automated workflows built on the platform. Flows can include automated tasks such as sending notifications, syncing files, collecting data, all without user intervention.

A diagram that represents a process, system, or computer algorithm. They are widely used in multiple fields to document, study, plan, improve, and communicate often complex processes in clear, easy-to-understand diagrams. 

Refers to the size, shape, and specifications of a device or component, especially concerning other devices or components with which it is compatible. The Power Platform can be leverage across form factors such as web browser, phone and tablet. 

A formula is a mathematical expression used to calculate and process data dynamically. Formulas are instrumental in both Excel and various applications of the Power Platform, enabling both simple and complex calculations, data manipulation, and task automate automation. A formula is written using functions. 

The part of a website or software application that a user interacts with directly. It is built with technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.  (See also Backend)

A developer who works with both the front and back ends of a website or application, meaning they can tackle projects that involve databases, building user-facing websites, or even work with clients during the planning phase of projects. 

A function is a specific tool used within a formula to perform a predetermined operation.  There are a broad range of operations including mathematical (add/subtract), statistical (standard deviation), logical (if this, then that), date and time calculation, and more.

 Gigabyte:  Equals 1,024 megabytes (MB) or about 1.07 billion bytes. Gigabytes are commonly used to quantify the storage capacity of devices like USB drives and the size of larger software installations or videos. 

A short-lived fault in a system, such as a transient fault that corrects itself, making it difficult to troubleshoot. 

The process or technique of identifying the geographical location of a person or device by means of digital information processed via the Internet. 

A location-based service in which an app or other software uses GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi or cellular data to trigger a pre-programmed action when a mobile device or RFID tag enters or exits a virtual boundary set up around a geographical location, known as a geofence. Geofencing can be utilized on the Power Platform to create time tracking applications. 

Globally Unique Identifier: A unique reference number used as an identifier in computer software. The term is used in software development to uniquely identify information without significant central coordination. 

Graphical User Interface: A user interface that includes graphical elements, such as windows, icons, and buttons. The user interacts with the elements to perform tasks on the computer.  In Power Apps, a custom GUI can be built exactly as desired to meet almost any business need. 

Refers to the physical components or tangible parts of a computer system and other electronic devices. These are the elements that you can physically touch and are essential for the device to operate, in contrast to software, which consists of the programs and operating systems that run on the hardware.

Hypertext Markup Language: The standard markup language used to create web pages. It structures web content and supports links to other documents and resources.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol: The foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web, defining how messages are formatted and transmitted. 

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure: An extension of HTTP that is used for secure communication over a computer network, widely used on the Internet. 

A reference to data that the user can follow by clicking or tapping, typically pointing to a whole document or to a specific element within a document. 

The main web page of a website, typically serving as a table of contents for the site. 

Internet of Things: The interconnection via the Internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data. This includes smart devices on your person and in your home as well as drones, farming sensors, autonomous vehicles, etc.

The ability of software to identify objects, places, people, writing, and actions in images. In the  Power Platform, AI Builder can be utilized to access pre-built models or create a custom model. 

In programming, to bring into one's environment a section of code from a library or from another external source. 

The process of creating a data structure that improves the speed of data retrieval operations on a database. 

Any hardware component that allows a user to input data into a computer. Examples include keyboards, mice, and scanners. 

The repetition of a process in order to generate a sequence of outcomes. It is used in programming to repeat tasks until a specific condition is met.  

Is a procedural approach commonly used in various fields such as software development, project management, and design. It involves repeating a series of steps or operations until a desired outcome is achieved. In each iteration, the results are reviewed and used to inform adjustments for the next cycle, gradually refining and improving the process or product. 

A high-level, class-based, object-oriented programming language that is designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible, widely used for building enterprise-scale applications. 

A dynamic programming language commonly used in web development. It is an interpreted language, primarily known for adding interactive elements to websites. 

JavaScript Object Notation: A lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. It's commonly used for transmitting data in web applications between clients and servers. JSON can be used throughout the Power Platform to enhance its capabilities. 

Joint Photographic Experts Group: A commonly used method of lossy compression for digital images, particularly for those images produced by digital photography. 

Kilobyte: A unit of memory or data equal to 1,024 bytes.

In the context of databases, a key is a field used to identify a record. A primary key is a unique identifier for a database record. 

Knowledge Management System: A system for managing knowledge in organizations, supporting the creation, capture, storage, and dissemination of information. This is often where training materials are stored. The Power Platform can be leveraged for a KMS. 

The delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer. In networks, it is often measured as the time it takes for a packet to reach its destination. 

A webpage that serves as the entry point for a website or a particular section of a website. It is designed specifically to receive and convert traffic from an online marketing campaign. 

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