BACK PRINTING
A feature on a printer that can automatically add date, time, or specific text to the backside of the picture.
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BACKBONE
The backbone usually refers to the communications line of a "Bus" type network such as Ethernet. Arms or nodes of the network connect to the Backbone and receive signals to determine if the information is for that specific network user. The primary connectivity mechanism of a hierarchical distributed system. All systems, which have connectivity to an intermediate system on the backbone, are assured of connectivity to each other. This does not prevent systems from setting up private arrangements with each other to bypass the backbone for reasons of cost, performance or security. See Core Gateway.
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BACKFILE CONVERSION
Refers to the process of converting existing files by scanning or filming them as part of the system implementation.
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BACKGROUND
The color or pattern that sits behind the images in the composite. A process that is taking place in the computer that is not interactive or visible on the screen.
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BACKGROUND PROCESSING
A feature that enables the computer operator to continue working while the computer executes another action, such as spooling data to a printer. Utilizing a terminal for one project and concurrently submitting a job that is placed in a background queue that the computer will run as resources become available. Also refers to any processing in which a job runs without being connected to a terminal.
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BACKUP
Making a spare copy of computer files or programs on diskette or tape. A regular backup schedule helps prevent loss of vital data due to a computer malfunction.
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BANDING
An artifact of color gradation in computer imaging, when graduated colors break into larger blocks of a single color, reducing the "smooth" look of a proper gradation.
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BANDWIDTH
Bandwidth refers to the amount of data a cable (network) can carry; measured in bits per second (bps), for digital signals, or in hertz (Hz), for analog signals, such as sound waves. For digital signals, a higher bit rate represents a larger bandwidth. A higher bandwidth (that is, a higher signal frequency) will mean a faster transmission, which means a shorter signal. With a short signal, there is a smaller margin for error in interpreting the signal. A signal traveling along a cable degrades with distance. It is possible to connect the cable to special components that can clean up and rejuvenate a signal. Defines the amount of information that can travel between two points in a specific time. A term used to describe, usually in terms of number of bits per second, the volume capacity of any point within a system or network.
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BANK STATEMENT
A periodic statement of a customer's account detailing credits and debits posted to the account during the period and the book balance as of the statement cutoff date.
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BANKING DAY
Any day on which a financial institution is open and available for transacting business.
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BAR CODE
Machine-readable array of vertical rectangular marks and spaces in a predetermined pattern. In document management, a bar code is used to encode indexing information. Bar coding is more reliable than OCR.
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BARCODE
A unique symbolic code made up of a series of vertical bars that is used for fast and accurate identification of items using an optical scanner.
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BARCODE CHARACTER
A set of bars and spaces within a barcode that represent data; a single letter, number, or other character.
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BARCODE READ AREA
The clear zone on the bottom right-hand part of a document, which must be kept free of printing and symbols except the barcode itself to enable automatic processing machines to read the code and rapidly process the document.
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BARCODE READER (BCR)
A system that reads bar codes.
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BARCODE READER AND SORTER (BC RS)
A system including a transport, which reads and sorts preprinted bar codes.
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BARCODE SORTER
A computer-controlled, electro-mechanical transport system that sorts letters, based upon an imprinted barcode.
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BASE TWO
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BASIC INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEM (BIOS)
Software (services) used in the ROM (read only memory) that handles the transfer of information between system elements such as disks and monitors. The BIOS services enable hardware and software, operating systems and applications, and also applications and users to communicate with each other. The BIOS services are loaded automatically into specific addresses, and they should always be accessible. BIOS services are updated and expanded to handle newer devices and greater demands. To get a newer BIOS, you simply need to replace the ROM chip in your computer with an appropriate upgrade chip or flash the existing chip.
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BASIC PRESORT
The process of sorting mail to comply with minimum USPS requirements. It is recommended that any mail that is not carrier-route or 5-digit presorted go through basic presort.
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BATCH
A Group of related documents (in various media) considered a single unit for processing. The accumulation of captured sales transactions from a merchant waiting to be processed. Multiple batches may be processed and settled each day.
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BATCH BALANCING
A feature to provide for the balancing of batches in financial transaction processing. If an out of balance occurs, it must be corrected and an update function must be performed.
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BATCH MODE
Method of processing forms and items by grouping them into batches before scanning and reading.
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BATCH PROCESSING
A serial form of data processing in which groups or batches of transactions are input to the system. Batch processing stands in contrast to distributed real time processing in which forms are processed immediately upon initial input.
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BAUD
Unit of transmission speed equal to the number of signal events per second. In casual, non- technical usage, baud is often used to mean bits per second. A measurement of the speed of transmission over a communication line. Named after Baudot, a pioneer of telegraphic communication. In common usage, the baud rate of a modem is how many bits it can send or receive per second. Technically, baud is the number of times per second that the carrier signal shifts value. For example, a 1200 bit-per-second modem actually runs at 300 baud, but it moves 4 bits per baud (4 x 300 = 1200 bits per second). See Bit, Modem.
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BBM
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BC RS
Barcode Reader and Sorter.
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BCR
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BENCHMARK
A test of performance of a forms processing system or computer systems of application programs and data files.
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BER (BIT ERROR RATE)
The average number of errors that can occur when writing or transmitting data.
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BETA TEST
A test of an unnumbered computer system performed by users under normal operating conditions and evaluated by users and vendors.
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BILLING
The process of submitting a claim to a payer or multiple payers for reimbursement. Payers include insurance companies, fiscal intermediaries, government agencies and individuals.
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BINARY
A coding or counting system with only two symbols or conditions (off/on, zero/one, mark/space, high/low). The binary system is the basis for storing data in computers. Binary, or base two, is the building block of computer information, representing "on" or "off and "true" or "not true" as 1 or 0. A file containing one or more strings of data bits which are not printable characters. Some binary files may be computer programs or other forms of data that contain no text characters at all. Binary files cannot be displayed on a monitor, but can be downloaded for use with appropriate applications programming on the computer. Number system with only two digits (0 and 1). Computers store information and instructions in binary code. See Bit.
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BINARY
A system of numbers based on two.
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BINARY DIGIT (BIT)
Represents the binary code (0 or 1)with which the computer works. For example, the bit can take the form of a magnetized spot, an electronic impulse, or a positively charged magnetic core. A number of bits together are used to represent a character in the computer.
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BINARY IMAGE
A scanned image in black and white (no gray levels). A bi-nodal image.
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BINARY LARGE OBJECT (BLOB)
A data type that can be a combination or large amount of data, images, text, graphics and is handled as a whole single object. A scanned image can then be handled as a large piece of data.
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BINARY NUMBER
A number written using binary code (base two) notation, which only uses zeros and ones. Example: decimal number seven in binary notation is: 111.
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BINARY NUMBER SYSTEM
A system of representing numbers using only 0 and 1. Also called Base Two.
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BINHEX
BINary HEXadecimal. A method for converting non-text files (non-ASCII) into ASCII. See ASCII, MIME, UUENCODE.
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BIOS (BASIC INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEM)
Detailed instructions to activate peripheral devices.
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BIT
The smallest unit of data a computer can process. Contraction of "binary digit," the smallest unit of computer data that can be stored. A bit can have a value of 0 or 1, which represents the "on" or 'off state of an electrical switch. A combination of 8 bits equals a byte. A binary digit, a fundamental digital quantity representing either 1 or 0 (on or off).
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BIT DEPTH
The color depth or pixel values for a digital image. The number of possible colors or shades of gray that can be included in an image.
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BITMAP (.BMP)
A representation of characters or graphics by individual pixels (points of light) arranged in a row, horizontal or vertical (column) order.
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BITMAP (BMP)
An image made up of dots, or pixels. Refers to a raster image, in which the image consists of rows or pixels rather than vector coordinates.
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BITMAPPED IMAGE
Representation of image data where each pixel has a corresponding memory element. See also digital image, image, memory, pixel.
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BITS PER INCH (BPI)
Used to specify the density of data recorded on magnetic or optical media.
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BITS PER SECOND (BPS)
Unit of measurement for the speed of communications transmission (see baud). A measurement of how fast data is moved from one place to another. A 28.8 modem can move 28,800 bits per second. See Bandwidth, Bit.
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BLACK AND WHITE SCANNER
Scanner that interprets scanned data as black or white, but with additional software, can perform electronic screening, dotting or dithering to produce simulated gray scale pixel configurations. See also dithering, pixel.
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BLANKET ORDER
A Blanket Order is a purchase order that is not line item specific. It is a means of setting aside a sum of money to a specific vendor.
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BLIP
A mark on microfilm for counting images and identifying the requested image with a computer program. (see CAR)
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BLOB
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BMC
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BOOKMARK
Bookmarks are employed by most commonly used browsers to store the URL of a site. Use of the bookmark facility saves rekeying the URL.
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BOOLEAN LOGIC
A text search method that identifies documents by relationship of words within them. Boolean operators are "and, or and not".
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BOOT OR BOOTSTRAP (LOAD)
To load the initial instructions which get a computer system up and running. The name was derived from the idea of a computer pulling itself by its own bootstraps. A 'cold boot' is performed when the computer's power is turned on. A "warm boot' occurs as a response to a reset command performed by the operator. Many modern microcomputers have a bootstrap loader in ROM, so they automatically boot themselves up when the power is turned on.
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BPI
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BPI (BITS PER INCH)
Measurement of density. The number of bits stored in a linear inch.
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BPP (BITS PER PIXEL)
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BPR (BUSINESS PROCESS REDESIGN)
Reengineering a company or departmental work processes.
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BPS
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BPS (BITS PER SECOND)
Measurement of speed of data transfer.
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BRC
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BRE
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BRIDGE
In networks, the term bridge generally refers to the hardware devices that can pass packets from one network to another. A device that connects two networks and passes traffic between them based only on the node address, so that traffic between nodes on one network does not appear on the other network. For example, an Ethernet bridge only looks at the Ethernet address. Related devices are: repeaters which simply forward electrical signals from one cable to another and full-fledged routers which make routing decisions based on several criteria. In OSI terminology, a bridge is the Data Link Layer.
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BRIGHTNESS
Refers to the value of a pixel in an electronic image, representing its lightness value from black to white. Usually defined as brightness levels ranging in value from 0 (black) to 255 (white). Differences in the intensity of light reflected from or transmitted through an image independent of its hue and saturation. It's the value of a pixel in an electronic image, representing its lightness value from black to white. Brightness is usually defined in levels ranging in value from 0 (black) to 255 (white).
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BRIGHTNESS RESOLUTION
The intensity of light reflected from or transmitted through an image.
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BRM
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BRMAS
Business Reply Mail Accounting System.
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BROADBAND
Communications channel (network) with a bandwidth from 10,000 to over a million BPS (bits per second). A communications medium on which multiple signals are simultaneously transmitted at different frequencies. Also refers to switching capability implemented on this medium that allows communication between devices connected to it. In telecommunications it is defined as any channel with a bandwidth greater than voice grade (4 KHz). Characteristic of any network that multiplexes multiple, independent network carriers onto a single cable. This is usually done using frequency division multiplexing. Broadband technology allows several networks to coexist on one single cable; traffic from one network does not interfere with traffic from another since the "conversations" occur on different frequencies in the "ether," rather like the commercial radio system.
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BROADCAST
A single message addressed to all nodes on a network.
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BROUTER
A network communications device that acts as a bridge and router. It functions at the link level of the OSI model.
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BROWSER
Browser programs let you scroll through documents or data. A Web software tool used to read electronic documents. Explorer, Mosaic, Netscape and Lynx are examples of some browsers. A browser is software, typically running on a desktop PC or other device, which is used to locate and view information on the World Wide Web. Browsers interpret the HTML source code on the pages stored at the chosen web site to present text, images, sound, plus any 'hot' links to other pages or web sites, to the screen in the format determined by the HTML.
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BTRIEVE
A file manager from Novell that allows for the creation of indexed files using the b-tree organization method. Allows you to retrieve, insert, update or delete records by key value, using random or sequential methods.
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BUFFER
A reserved portion of memory used to hold data while it is being processed. A temporary storage area usually held in RAM. The purpose of a buffer is to act as a temporary holding area for data that will allow the CPU to manipulate data before transferring it to a device. A computer memory that holds data temporarily until it can be transmitted or processed. Since a computer sends information much faster than a printer can print it, a buffer must be provided between these two devices. Many computers also have keyboard buffers, so the operator can keep on typing while the computer is momentarily occupied with another task. In order to avoid loss of input data, it is important for the user to know how many characters will be held in this buffer.
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BUG
An error in a computer program or a computer hardware problem. Can be a hardware or a software error, which impacts the operation of a digital processing system.
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BULK BUSINESS MAIL (BBM)
Standard mail (formerly third and fourth class) submitted in bulk. Commonly called junk mail.
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BULK FUNDING
A system whereby a government-contracting officer receives authorization from a fiscal and accounting officer to obligate funds on purchase documents against a specified lump sum of funds reserved for the purpose for a specified period of time rather than obtaining individual obligational authority on each purchase document.
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BULK MAIL
Non-preferential periodical - Standard A and Standard B mail. Includes parcel post or binary letters and circulars.
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BULK MAIL CENTER (BMC)
A highly mechanized mail processing plant that distributes Standard A mail and periodicals in bulk form and Standard B mail in piece and bulk form.
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BULK MAILING
A presorted mailing in which the mailer put zips and SCFs into properly prepared bundles, bags or trays, according to postal regulations.
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BULK RATE
A lower postage rate for non-preferential periodical, Standard A, or Standard B mail.
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BULK RATE MAIL
A special rate classification of Standard A mail covering a large quantity of the same pieces addressed to different people and specially prepared and sorted by zip code prior to delivery to the post office.
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BUNDLE
This normally refers to a bundle of checks that are ready to be sent to another location (the bank or the Federal Reserve, etc).
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BUNDLED/UNBUNDLED PRICING
Bundled pricing describes a computer system's hardware and software that is sold for a single price; unbundled systems have separate prices for each system component.
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BURSTER
A mechanical device that separates continuous forms printed from the computer into individual or partial groups.
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BUS
A common pathway between devices on a network. A single pathway with data being delivered to every device on the pathway. Only the addressed device will accept the data.
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BUSINESS DAY
Any weekday, excluding federal holidays. Specific state holidays may determine Business Day for that state.
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BUSINESS REPLY CARD (BRC)
A specially formatted postcard that businesses provide to customers and/or prospects to enable an easier response. These cards may be used only by Business Reply Mail permit. First Class postage and a per piece surcharge are paid by the addressee instead of the sender.
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BUSINESS REPLY ENVELOPE (BRE)
A postage paid envelope in which a customer may return his check and/or order. Similar to Business Reply Card.
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BUSINESS REPLY MAIL (BRM)
Enables business to receive First Class mail back from customers, prospects, etc. The businesses pay postage and a surcharge only on the mail, which is returned to them from the original distribution of BRM pieces. A permit is required; an annual fee is required to maintain the permit and the USPS must maintain a deposit for payment of postage on receipt.
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BUSINESS REPLY MAIL ACCOUNTING SYSTEM (BRMAS)
This provides an automated method of processing and payment of business reply pieces. Mailers must pay an accounting fee and their mail must meet all automation requirements. Applications are approved through local mailing requirements offices.
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BUTTON
Button-like, on-screen graphic that appears in dialog and alert boxes and that you click to go ahead with or to cancel an action. See also Mouse Button.
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BYTE
One Group of eight bits, processed or operating together. 2. Term used to describe one character of information. A byte allows 256 different possible combinations of eight binary digits. Refers to an ensemble of eight bits of memory in a computer. A group of adjacent binary digits, usually 8, on which a computer operates as a unit; often used to represent a single character. See Bit.
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