Glossary of Ecommerce Platform Keywords
A
-as a Service
“-as a Service” is a business model that delivers a product as a service to an online consumer.
API-Driven
An API-Driven approach is ecommerce architecture that designs necessary APIs first. Then, builds the surrounding ecosystem.
API-First
API-First is an API-centered approach to designing ecommerce platforms.
Application Programming Interface (API)
APIs are software that allows two applications to communicate via predefined protocols.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality is technology that uses computer-generated images (CGI) to simulate real-world environments.
B
Backend
A backend is the unseen server-side portion of a website that is used for website development.
Buy Online, Pickup in Store (BOPIS)
BOPIS is a business model that allows customers to complete online purchases and collect their orders in person.
C
Clotho Search Platform
UpStart Commerce’s Clotho search engine is powered by OpenSearch and is one of the most powerful search engines based on the Lucene library.
Cloud-First
Cloud-first is a strategy designed to focus on cloud-based solutions for modern practices.
Cloud-Native
Cloud-native is the technology that allows applications to live on the cloud from conception and allows for maximum scalability and flexibility.
Commerce as a Service (CaaS)
CaaS is an ecommerce business model that provides a commerce platform that uses APIs for customization to a business or consumer.
Composable Commerce
Composable commerce allows ecommerce businesses to select best-of-breed commerce technology to meet their unique business needs using PBCs.
Content Management System (CMS)
CMS is an application that allows businesses to build and manage their website without utilizing code.
Coupled
Coupled refers to platforms that have a tightly connected front and back end that work interconnectedly.
Customer Relation Management (CRM)
CRM is an application that allows a business to manage its customer relationships and interactions.
D
Data Asset Management (DAM)
DAM is an application that manages assets (text, images, photos, video, audio, and more) in a central system.
Decoupled
Decoupled refers to platforms that allow programs to work together without being connected.
E
Ecommerce Tech Stack
Tech stacks are a combination of technology (tools, frameworks, and programming languages) used to build an ecommerce platform.
F
Frameworks
A framework is a programming tool that offers pre-made customizable components to decrease development time.
Front End as a Service (FEaaS)
FEaaS is a composable commerce business model that allows developers to develop a functional front end with cloud-based modules.
Frontend
A frontend is the portion of an ecommerce website that the user sees when viewing the website.
G
Graph
Graph databases store information in non-linear structures containing nodes and edges.
GraphQL
GraphQL is a query language for APIs that uses a user-defined type system for data.
H
Headless Commerce
Headless commerce is a modern development approach that allows businesses to separate their ecommerce website’s front and back ends.
I
Interoperability
Interoperability is the ability of applications to effortlessly communicate without input from the end user.
J
JavaScript
JavaScript is a scripting language that allows developers to create dynamic web pages.
Jira
Jira is a project tracking software used to plan, track, and monitor software development projects, bugs, and other issues.
K
Kafka
Kafka is an open-source event real-time streaming platform used to build data pipelines and applications that adapt to data streams.
Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
KPIs are metrics that help ecommerce businesses measure their success in sales, marketing, website performance, and more.
L
Legacy Ecommerce Platform
A legacy ecommerce platform is an outdated ecommerce platform that utilizes older programming languages and technology.
M
M-Commerce
M-Commerce (or mobile commerce) is the term used for selling and buying products via mobile devices.
Machine Learning (ML)
Machine learning is a form of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms and statistical models to identify data patterns and adapt without detailed instructions.
Master Data Management (MDM)
MDM is a program that unifies a business’s shared data in a master record containing people, processes, and systems.
Microservice Architecture
Microservice architecture is an approach that uses specifically designed software systems that consist of services made from loosely coupled single applications.
Modular Commerce
Modular commerce connects flexible modules that access data via APIs and manage the back end.
Monolithic Ecommerce Platform
A monolithic ecommerce platform is a traditional ecommerce platform model based on a unified front and back end.
Multi-Tenancy
Multi-tenancy is a software operation that allows a single instance of software to serve multiple customers (also known as tenants).
N
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
NLP is a specific section of AI that allows computers to understand and replicate both written and spoken language.
NoChannel™ Portal
UpStart Commerce’s NoChannel™ Portal is a single platform to manage and update management APIs, allowing users to make changes and improvements to their management operations in just a few clicks.
Node.js
Node.js is an open source JavaScript runtime that is asynchronous and event-driven.
O
Omnichannel Commerce
Omnichannel commerce is a multichannel approach that provides unified customer experiences across multiple sales channels.
Open Source
Open source software is code that can be freely accessed by anyone online.
Opinionated APIs
Opinionated APIs are APIs that support a specific method, rather than providing flexibility to adapt to different protocols.
Order Management System (OMS)
OMS is an application that streamlines order tracking, inventory, and fulfillment across multiple sales channels.
P
Packaged Business Capabilities (PBCs)
PBCs are applications that are developed to serve specific business functions, containing data schema, services, APIs, and event channels.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS is an integrated application development business solution that provides integrated hardware and software to users online.
Platform
A technology platform is a foundation to build an ecommerce website with chosen integrations that are not predetermined.
Polyglot Programming
Polyglot programming is a practice that allows developers to use multiple code languages for maximum functionality.
Postman
Postman is an API platform used for designing, building, and testing APIs.
Product Inventory Management (PIM)
PIM is an application that allows businesses to collect, manage, and track products on a unified platform.
Python
Python is a dynamic general-purpose programming language used to build websites, automate tasks, and analyze data.
Q
Qcommerce
Q-Commerce (or quick commerce) is the term used for businesses that offer services such as same-day delivery for quick delivery times.
R
React
React is a free, open-source JavaScript framework used for developing interactive front-end user interfaces.
Reactive Frameworks
A reactive framework is made of reactive systems that encompass reactive programming and create streams that trigger side-effects.
Reactive Programming
Reactive programming is a practice that uses asynchronous data streams for programming.
Replatforming
Replatforming is the process of migrating from one ecommerce platform to another using the cloud to repurpose core architecture.
S
Scala
Scala is a general-purpose coding language that supports both object-oriented and functional programming used for website development.
Software Development Engineer in Test
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is a popular software testing job title that focuses on programming and technical testing tasks, abilities, and experience that IT companies use to pair with more traditional testers.
Serverless
Serverless computing is a cloud-native approach that allows businesses to develop their ecommerce websites without servers.
Service Mesh
A service mesh is a layer that controls how microservices or services share data interchangably.
Smart Search
Smart search is a search system powered by machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and AI to enhance ecommerce search engines.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS is a business model that provides an online software platform to consumers.
Structured Query Language (SQL)
SQL is the standard language used for relational database management system communication.
Suite
A technology suite is a collection of computer programs that are connected and have the ability to exchange data.
System Integrator (SI)
A SI is a company that specializes in connecting IT structures with hardware and software systems.
U
Unified Commerce
Unified commerce is an approach that connects an ecommerce platform back end systems to the customer-facing front end with a single platform.
User-Generated Content (UGC)
UGC is consumer-provided content that was created by a brand’s customer.
V
Vue.js
Vue.js is a JavaScript framework used to build user interfaces.
W
Webhooks
Webhooks are a type of API that is event-driven instead of request based.
Y
YAML
YAML is a data-sterilization language used to create configuration files with any programming language and designed for human readability.
Z
Zio
Zio is a zero-dependency Scala library that was developed to solve complicated business problems with simple code.
