What is IT?

IT stands for “Information Technology.” It is the collective term for computer systems, networking, software, and infrastructure used to create, store, process, and exchange all forms of electronic data. IT is foundational for any modern organisation, enabling everything from basic operations to transformative business strategies.

Example: “Our IT strategy must align with the business’s five-year growth plan.”

(Category: Strategy & Infrastructure)

What is MSP?

MSP stands for “Managed Service Provider.” An MSP delivers outsourced IT services, including network management, support desk, cloud infrastructure, and security, typically under a service contract. Partnering with an MSP allows organisations to access specialist expertise and reliable support without maintaining a large internal team.

Example: “We’ve engaged an MSP to handle our cybersecurity and backup monitoring.”

(Category: IT Support & Outsourcing)

What is an SLA?

SLA stands for “Service Level Agreement.” This is a formal, contractual arrangement between a service provider and an organisation, detailing expected performance standards, uptime, response times, and remedies for breach. SLAs are critical in IT consultancy to ensure service quality and mutual accountability.

Example: “The MSP’s SLA guarantees 99.9% system availability and a two-hour response to critical incidents.”

(Category: Service Management)

What is NOC?

NOC is the abbreviation for “Network Operations Centre.” A NOC is a centralised location from which IT professionals monitor and manage a client’s network, servers, and applications to ensure ongoing availability and performance.

Example: “Our NOC detected a spike in network traffic and prevented a possible outage.”

(Category: Infrastructure & Network Management)

What does RMM mean?

RMM refers to “Remote Monitoring and Management.” It is a suite of tools that enables IT consultants and service providers to remotely oversee and maintain clients’ devices, networks, and systems, ensuring reliability and pre-empting potential issues.

Example: “With RMM, our consultant can update devices and address issues out of hours.”

(Category: Remote Support & Maintenance)

What is CRM?

CRM means “Customer Relationship Management.” It is both an approach and a software platform for managing interactions with current and potential clients, covering sales, customer support, and marketing. CRMs play a strategic role in automating workflows and improving client retention.

Example: “Integration of a new CRM has streamlined our sales pipeline and improved analytics.”

(Category: Business Applications & Digital Transformation)

What is MDM?

MDM stands for “Mobile Device Management.” It is a set of tools and policies for securing, monitoring, managing, and supporting mobile devices used within an organisation. MDM is particularly significant with the rise of remote and hybrid work.

Example: “Implementing MDM has enabled us to enforce data encryption on all staff devices.”

(Category: Security & Mobility Management)

What is IaaS?

IaaS means “Infrastructure as a Service.” It is a cloud computing model providing virtualised computing resources (servers, storage, networking) over the internet. IaaS reduces the need for capital investment in hardware and offers agility for growing organisations.

Example: “Migrating to IaaS has enabled faster deployment of new business applications.”

(Category: Cloud Services & Virtualisation)

What is SIEM?

SIEM is the acronym for “Security Information and Event Management.” SIEM solutions aggregate and analyse security data across systems, providing real-time alerts and aiding with compliance requirements.

Example: “Our SIEM solution has enhanced visibility into potential cyber threats.”

(Category: Cybersecurity)

What is SWOT?

SWOT represents “Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.” It is a framework commonly applied in IT strategy consultations to assess internal and external factors affecting a company’s technology landscape and future planning.

Example: “The IT consultancy performed a SWOT analysis to inform our digital transformation roadmap.”

(Category: Strategic Planning & Analysis)

What does GDPR stand for?

GDPR is “General Data Protection Regulation.” This EU law governs data protection and privacy and is particularly significant for IT consultants advising on compliance and risk management in the UK.

Example: “Our new CRM solution was vetted for GDPR compliance.”

(Category: Data Protection & Compliance)

What is DRaaS?

DRaaS means “Disaster Recovery as a Service.” It involves cloud-based services that replicate and host data and IT infrastructure in the event of a disaster, ensuring business continuity for clients.

Example: “Engaging a DRaaS provider guarantees rapid restoration of systems after incidents.”

(Category: Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery)

What does KPI stand for?

KPI is short for “Key Performance Indicator.” In IT consultancy, KPIs are measurable values used to evaluate success in meeting strategic and operational objectives, including system uptime, response times, or risk reduction.

Example: “Critical KPIs for our IT strategy include average helpdesk resolution time and user satisfaction.”

(Category: Performance Management)

What is BI?

Business Intelligence encompasses processes, tools, and technologies used to analyse an organisation’s data and turn it into actionable insights. It is a crucial pillar of strategic planning and data-driven decision-making.

Example: “We implemented a BI solution to improve reporting and market analysis capabilities.”

(Category: Data Analytics & Decision Support)

What is ERP?

Enterprise Resource Planning is a suite of integrated applications for managing core business functions such as finance, HR, supply chain, and operations. Effective ERP strategy can make or break a digital transformation project.

Example: “Our IT consultants advised on an ERP migration to streamline operations.”

(Category: Business Applications & Digital Transformation)

What is GRC?

Governance, Risk, and Compliance refer to the strategies and tools used to ensure IT operations are secure, well-governed, and compliant with regulatory demands. GRC frameworks are core to IT strategy consultancy, especially for regulated sectors.

Example: “Developing a GRC programme ensured our firm met new sector-specific regulations.”

(Category: Security & Compliance Management)

What is IAM?

Identity and Access Management involves processes and technologies that manage and secure access to resources and data by users within an organisation. Effective IAM reduces security risk in the modern workplace.

Example: “The team proposed IAM upgrades to help secure remote access for hybrid employees.”

(Category: Security & Access Control)

What is SaaS?

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a model in which applications are delivered over the internet and accessed via a web browser, eliminating the need for local installation and maintenance. SaaS adoption is central to many modernisation strategies.

Example: “Moving our productivity suite to SaaS reduced costs and simplified updates.”

(Category: Cloud Computing & Modern Work)

What does DRP stand for?

Disaster Recovery Plan details how an organisation will respond to potential disruptive events, recover data, and resume critical operations. DRP is a non-negotiable aspect of IT risk management.
Example: “We formulated a DRP to minimise disruption from cyber incidents or disasters.”
(Category: Business Continuity & Risk Management)

What is VDI?

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure enables employees to access desktops and applications remotely from central servers, facilitating secure and efficient remote work.

Example: “VDI was deployed to improve remote work flexibility and centralise software management.”

(Category: Remote Work & Infrastructure)

What is ESG?

Environmental, Social, and Governance relates to the ethical and sustainability strategies integrated into the business and IT decision-making process. It is gaining prominence in IT strategy consultancy, especially in the areas of reporting and compliance.

Example: “The consultancy assessed our IT operations from an ESG compliance perspective.”

(Category: Sustainability & Corporate Governance)

What is an API?

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of protocols and tools that enable different applications or systems to interact. Robust API strategies accelerate system integration and digital innovation.

Example: “A public API allowed seamless integration with major customer platforms.”

(Category: System Integration & Development)

Submit Your Acronyms or Request Explanations

Is there an IT Strategy Consultancy acronym you would like to see explained, or do you have a specific term used in your business context that you wish to clarify? Please submit your request, and we will be happy to expand this FAQ to support the UK IT and business community.