Introduction to Concepts

Understanding a technical product

What does OnMind mean?

Moving from paper or the conventional office to the OnMind experience can be translated, in a digital context, as software service and infrastructure resources on platform (in the cloud or local server), as well as dynamism, knowledge and mobility if applicable. Simply a leap.

OnMind, more than a modern management support or collaboration tool, is an adaptable platform to ignite business ideas with a digital experience.

We make “apps” or projects involving business activities, internet (or cloud) and mobile devices. Our platform is modular and multi-purpose (not general), ideas take us to the specific, adapting the platform under micro-projects. Being sophisticated, we catalogue it as “Management Oriented Data Environment” (or Mission…), with the acronym MODE.

OnMind, in addition to referring to a brand or software product, is publisher, operator or manager of www.onmind.co (the Site), so OnMind provides some available services or subscription to product lines on computer applications for business management (Plans or Subscribed Services). It is also offered registration or registration on the Site as a software product that requires licensing to install a copy and for use under certain terms (the Licenses).

How does it work?

Imagine that from your computer or mobile device and where you have a stable internet connection (which is a fact and is covered more and more with better technology), you can access to validate your inventory control, close the day, obtain valuable information for your evaluation or decision, and one day have control of your business processes in the palm of your hands. Thus, an application available to you and your delegated staff, can be consumed or used over the Internet with OnMind, injecting your dynamic business, order and expanding its panorama into a world of new possibilities.

Although OnMind makes this possible with what it calls Cloud Service (via Internet), or with projects on your modular platform, it also considers as an alternative Annexes Plans, which offer variations to respond to preferences and conventional modality, software that requires licensing for copy installation and use (with Licenses), thinking in private business environments, or infrastructure acquired by the client (according to technical requirements of OnMind according to Plan).

GLOSSARY OF TERMS IN RELATION TO ONMIND

In order to agree on criteria or establish a concept definition point for recurring reference, use is made of the following glossary applied to the relationship linking OnMind.

Site: Refers to OnMind’s electronic location, either www.onmind.co or another site published by us that is officially associated with our identity as part of OnMind.
Plans: Services available on the Site or subscription to product lines on computer applications for business management. When it comes to Plans in general you can also refer to Subscribed Services.
Additional Services: Services derived or associated, as resource or support activities, guidance, software development, training or consulting. Generally, these are services that are offered on demand, without requiring a support contract and settled by the hour (per resource) on request or given an event, applying rates according to criteria or concept.
Essential Support: Support included, as guidance offered in a restricted way, without service levels and without covering Additional Services that are offered on demand. Some Plans may include support via Email or by channel that is officially destined to attend incidents or questions of an orientative and simple type to respond (viable and practical) under that channel and according to the Plan, without this implying immediate attention and without avoiding the need for Additional Services that are required.
Cloud Service: This term denotes and distinguishes the Plan or Plans whose operation is centralized and originates in the OnMind Site through the Internet, from those that require Licenses (the Annexed Plans). The main difference between Software Licenses (your subscription or rental) and the Cloud Service is that the OnMind software is installed on the Cloud within the Site and not beyond its reach. This same criterion differentiates our Cloud Service from the other Plans (or Annexed Plans). There may be a Licensing Plan for a different site set up by the customer to be operated or managed with OnMind support (which is therefore not on our Site and does not refer to the aforementioned Cloud Service, although it corresponds to a Subscribed Service). In addition, the Cloud Service requires in-house hardware, software and network resources for its availability.
Entity Account: Main account associated with the client (company or business) and the Email it registers, either to have the Service in the Cloud or Plans in general (Subscribed Services), originated when the client proceeds with the initial registration or registration as a commercial or business entity in the use of its commercial faculties.
Proposal: Orientation information that promotes a product or service, and that can be found on the Site, available for the customer’s choice between different Plans that are in force or enabled at a given time. Generally, in order to activate an enrolled service, the customer accesses a section of the Site where he can select functions according to the Plan (the Store). The Proposal is ruled by the Shop on the Site through the Internet and any material that promotes information outside the Site is not part of it or corresponds to the internal policy of OnMind, different corporate projects that by their nature require a proposal after phase of liquidated diagnosis, and in such instance is not promoted.
Usage Unit: Basically this is how we call our unit of measurement to liquidate in an appropriate way according to the scope or plan. These can refer to different concepts of the service, such as: applications, users, equipment or devices, resources, stored records, processor or other according to the plan. Even management units, that is, each internal division, i.e., each point, local, warehouse, branch, agency or other that apply as units when a plan is not settled by user but has another dimension that must be valued. In other words, the unit of use is the score that is used to give the ratio of a quantity in units (that add up) assigning a current unit value of the unit according to the Plan or Proposal.

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS

In order to achieve an understanding approach of a subject with general technical aspects, the following complementary glossary is used.

Web hosting: Is a service frequently used to publish sites on the Internet. This service was born with the transition of the century (late nineties and early two thousand) due to the need to publish sites. Formerly, whoever wanted to have their site had to buy a server (in some cases have an isolated computer in the garage or studio), configure it, manage it, leave it on and expose it with the services of a telecommunications company or Internet providers. Basically, it consists of publishing a folder (destined by the provider) where the content (or pages) of the site is stored, in addition it gives access to functions such as e-mail boxes and databases, sometimes they include the domain (the address by name on the Internet), in addition, as it is based on folders, no computer capacity is measured (in many cases processing is restricted). Given the interest in publishing sites, in addition to the great reception for digital marketing, is the cheapest service, however a conventional web hosting is not appropriate when it comes to computing platforms and business infrastructure, this would rather be a matter that would correspond to the concept of the cloud.
Computer Application (“app”): A computer program designed to perform a specific function. When a software product is large, terms such as functionality, module or component can be used in the context of applications, sometimes even the term option or feature (associated with an icon, when significant in the commercial sense). There is also called “Apps”. For negotiation purposes, functionalities, modules or components that are significant or related to a process and that have a price according to a given proposal can be exposed. When an application works under the Internet mechanism, it is referred to as a “web application” (or “web app”).
Database: Mechanism and computer program in which duly organized data are stored. It may give us a vague notion if we imagine classical libraries or physical archives applying this to the world of information technology. Generally, business applications make use of a database manager (or engine) that belongs to a different manufacturer and can generate an additional cost, although there are decent alternatives to databases without generating licensing costs (different when it involves the support). In many cases, to access the information these data engines use a structured query language (known as SQL), alternatively, those managers that do not use it fall into a group called NoSQL.
Domain: For the context it refers to the domain name that is registered for Internet (for example: onmind.co), if one takes as analogy the concept of address of domicile, the domain would be the address in Internet, and if one takes the idea of a local inside a commercial or managerial center one could make the analogy with what is known as subdomain, which keeps dependence with a domain.
Hardware: Refers to the physical component, both visible and electronic, of computers.
Infrastructure: If you take the root of the Latin “infra”, which means “below”, then you understand that it refers to something below the structure, or what is at the bottom of a matter (e.g., technological, electrical, road, etc.). When technology refers to business infrastructure, it refers to networks, devices, computers, servers and others that correspond to a business approach, discarding what is designed for domestic purposes or for a simple office. At present, however, some infrastructure for a home or office could be considered (e.g. combining elements such as wifi, home networks, computers, etc.).
Stakeholders: This is a term rather used in project management to refer to those who are involved in some way in the project. In the analogy of a sporting event, spectators, players, technical director, executives and investors would all be interested. However, when decision making is required, this refers to a small number of people who are known as key stakeholders, who must be well identified in a project.
Programming Language: When in our technological context you hear about terms such as Java, Javascript, PHP, Python, Kotlin, SQL, etc., it is like when we enunciate the languages English, Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese, French. Similar to human language, programming language is the way to communicate and give instructions to a computer, in reality it is a very technical matter. The writing of certain words with conventions, operations and signs to achieve a result, is what is known as code or program. The action of writing this code is called coding or computer programming. In some cases there is a programming platform in the middle (such as the Java virtual machine or .Net) that supports several languages (perhaps it serves as an analogy to imagine a region or polyglot country).
Software License: In copyright matters, the owner of the rights may grant or authorize the use of a (executable) copy of your work to be installed under the terms specified for the license, which is known as a software license, i.e., the software requires a license that stipulates its use. There is a group of licenses known as “open source”, usually indicate that they expose the code without any guarantee and the license would have no cost, different is in terms of support. There are others similar free of charge (known as “freemium”) that avoid exposing the code and offer a paid version. The classic commercial licenses included both a high cost per license and the cost per support in each released version. There is also the case of license rentals (e.g., annual payment). Instead of licensing there is a model that offers packaged services (combining not only the software, but infrastructure and some support) that work over the Internet (referring to “the cloud”), but not software licenses are estimated for the user it is a service (the provider is the one who acquires the license or is a manufacturer that does not need to distribute its software, it is only used on its own infrastructure). See article about copyrights.
Virtual Machine: Given the advance of current computers (especially servers), it is possible to simulate a computer by taking resources from the real machine, as if there was another machine inside our computer (or server), this is known as virtual machine. When it comes to a provider who offers to publish virtual machines over the Internet (with costs less than a physical server), we speak of a virtual private server (VPS).
Cloud: In the present context is a term referring to a service that works over the Internet and is generally exposed by a provider. When the case is different from cloud storage (for files), it usually involves a platform with an organizational or processing (computing) orientation, which provides an interesting and often required business scope. The direct customers of a cloud service provider usually do not need to purchase software licenses but a service and it is the provider who can obtain any license for the software it installs, except in the case of being the same owner or producer of that software. However, this also depends on the terms of the license that a provider acquires and which may have a greater impact on the charge for the service it provides.
Platform: In a general sense it can refer to a support for something (or someone) or as a synonym for base. Applied to computing, it refers to systems that serve as the basis for other compatible components or modules (in both software and hardware).
Project: In context, it is oriented towards an effort that generally comprehends a scope, a cost and takes time to obtain a result, product or service. As for agile projects, it should be avoided to confuse them with immediacy or with a linear expectation of cost reduction, given that this is not necessarily the case, simply, an agile project has a more fluid natural course than when faced a larger project. In some cases, large projects can be executed in smaller phases allowing agile projects.
Network: Basically, it refers to a set of computers and interconnected electronic devices that enable communication between them (either by cable, wireless or mobile mode), making use of protocols to establish their connection. Ultimately, the Internet is a huge network. The device that is commonly used by telecommunications companies to offer access to the Internet by cable is called “modem”, this in turn can provide the wireless signal (WiFi®), in other words, the “modem” is the bridge for access to the Internet by cable and currently usually provides wireless signal (in companies combines its use with other devices such as the so-called “router” or access points). There is also mobile Internet service for home use (without cable), which requires a device for MiFi signal (technology instead of referring to cable networks is intended for mobile networks).
Consultancy Service: In the technological sense, consultancy refers in principle to an orientation, analysis, support or accompaniment function, and derived activities in a strategic context or on a specific knowledge, different or complementary to the production of software (such as factory or industry), on the other hand, it does not consist of technical service on devices for conventional use (domestic or office, such as cell phones, printers, video projectors, etc.) or on something that is covered by another occupation or personnel dedicated to it.
Third Party Services: Refers to any service provided by companies that provide an additional service to cover a complementary need, and which is purchased separately. This is the case of the Internet Service Provider (ISP), which is usually a telephone or telecommunications company. It is also possible to identify the domain provider, Internet server provider, security certificate provider, payment gateway provider (when cards are required to be charged from an “app”), message provider, etc.
Server: In a general sense, it refers to a process designed and focused exclusively to meet requests, share resources or their specific function. This applies to physical servers (which are specialized computers), virtual servers, and software programs as the context refers. When we speak of physical servers or servers in a computer network, we refer to specialized machines or computers that are properly designed to provide services or share their resources (sometimes and in matters of home networks, the concept is used with any computer intended to serve as a server, but in a business environment this is inadmissible).
Operating System: Main software that interacts between the computer and the other programs, resources and devices that connect directly (e.g. Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux).
Software: Refers to the logical component in computer systems, such as applications, operating systems (e.g. iOS, Android, Windows), etc.
Web: Generic term referring to the Internet mechanism. Although the term itself applies to the World Wide Web, it can also be applied to local networks when another term is combined or accompanied (e.g. Web Site, Web Application, Web Server). There is also another term for computer services over the Internet, called “the cloud”, however, it would be within the Web with controlled access.

SOFTWARE CATEGORIES OF INTEREST

Among the software categories we can find applications for graphic media editing, video and sound, games, artificial intelligence, office packages, databases, operating systems and software for electronic microcontrollers, as well as blockchains used for a crypto currency. In the context of our interest we refer to a large category usually known as management software, which has been having new subcategories or classifications according to their specialization or focus. Among these we have eCommerce, or digital marketing tools, and databases (or database engines), but let’s see others that usually have a recognized abbreviation and are accompanied by some database (DB).

DBMS: Database Management System. It can be simplified and used as a synonym for the word “database” (seen above). However, it offers a huge difference compared to a database using spreadsheets in a handmade or similar way. The DBMS are key to information technology.
ERP: Enterprise Resources Planning. It has to do with commercial and financial operations, as well as management in general.
CRM: Customer Relationship Management. It supports customer service management, given the need for service and/or customer fidelity.
CMS: Content Management System. Allows the management of a website and its maintenance without requiring a graphic designer or technical resource in payroll. That is to say, it allows a site to be self-managed with new publications, but even so services may be required for certain cases, such as in its initial configuration. Some CMS can connect to an eCommerce, in fact, these two categories can currently be seen as part of the digital marketing tools group.
DMS: Document Management System. Imagine an archive of digitized images of documents or documents from digital archives of an office software, all this can be managed by this type of system, making possible the search of files according to the role of the user connected.
KMS: Knowledge Management System. It allows to manage the knowledge or “know how” of a business.
BI: Business Intelligence. These are tools for managing indicators through mechanisms and database queries. They can incorporate a dashboard. They may require human intervention and knowledge to operate the tool, and for some queries, engineers or qualified personnel. Preparing data for business intelligence requires advanced knowledge, even projects.
BPM: Business Process Management. Paradigm that supports the implementation or execution of projects by business processes through a standard notation to define a workflow by process. This implies the barrier or requirement of professionals with the knowledge of their respective notation and training, but can provide a leverage factor for some projects.

Our platform is aligned with the OnMind Method, and can also be seen as an operable and integrated (multi-purpose) system that works through the internet and makes it possible to speed up management projects or data related projects. Being sophisticated, we present it as Mission Oriented Data Environment: MODE.

A MODE, turns around the OnMind Method, is multi-purpose (not general) and with more incidence on the database and the system to operate in the cloud, it involves several of the categories listed in a simple but holistic level, the necessary to orchestrate business activities or leverage management software projects.

https://onmind.co
Last Updated: 01-06-2020