GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ArcGIS: An integrated collection of software products for building a complete Geographical Information System (GIS). ArcGIS enables users to deploy GIS functionality wherever it is needed (i.e. desktops, servers, custom applications, over the Web, in the field).
AutoCAD: A full-featured Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) program used primarily by Public Works Department’s Engineering Division to create city maps and layers for the Geographical Information System (GIS) system. AutoCAD is the de facto standard for computer aided drafting and design.
A/V (Audio/Video or Audio/Visual): Refers to equipment and applications that deal with sound and sight. The A/V world includes microphones, audio tape recorders, audio mixers, sound systems, analog and digital still and video cameras, film projectors, slide projectors, VCRs, CD players/recorders and DVD players/recorders.
Avid: Audiovisual software application used by the Police Department’s Investigations Division to edit video images collected from various recording systems. For example, if a commercial store experiences a crime and has an in-house surveillance system in place, the Police Department can enhance these images and use them in their efforts to solve the crime.
Broadband: High-speed transmission. The term is commonly used to refer to Internet access via cable modems or Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), which are faster than dial-up.
Citrix: A server application based on the concept of centralization of network services. In summary, a program that allows you to use Windows programs running on another machine as if it were running on your own machine. The computer's keyboard, mouse and monitor are used for interacting with the program, but the actual processing happens at the Citrix server.
CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch): Computer system used by YCCESA (the Yolo County Communications Emergency Services Agency) emergency dispatch operation to record and coordinate action on public safety calls from the community. The Police and Fire Departments maintain special systems in order to access this information. The environment is supported jointly by YCCESA, City IS and PD IS staff.
Carcam: Computer system used for inventory management of video tapes used to record police activities in the field from patrol cars.
CCS: An obsolete system used by Finance and CDD to maintain records on financial and land-related data prior to the City’s use of the Pentamation system. This system is used solely for archival purposes.
Cityworks: A Geographical Information System (GIS)-based work order management system used by the Public Works Department to support operations and maintenance activities.
CLETS (California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System): Department of Justice (DOJ) computer database containing law enforcement information (i.e. criminal records and histories) used by the Police Department. Access to this system is governed by strict security controls.
Copware: Computer database providing law enforcement legal information.
Crashzone: A software application used by the Police Department’s Traffic Unit to recreate and analyze traffic accidents. This application utilizes CADD.
CrimeView: A software application that assists Police Department staff in analyzing and mapping criminal incident information.
DataPump: A system used by the Public Works Department’s field operation maintenance staff in responding to service requests. DataPump checks out and checks in work order and service request transactions and synchronizes this information with the Cityworks central server.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): A network service that automatically assigns temporary IP (Internet Protocol) addresses to client stations by logging onto an IP network. This service eliminates the need to manually assign permanent or "static" IP addresses.
Dialogic: A software application used primarily by the Fire and Police Departments to automate telephone calls. This tool is used to warn individuals in a particular community or area of a particular danger, and/or to contact public safety support staff.
Document Management System: A software application that manages the storage and retrieval of electronic documents. It generally supports a large variety of document formats, and provides extensive access control and search capabilities across computer networks. A document management system may support multiple versions of a document. It may also be able to combine text fragments written by different authors. It often includes a workflow component that routes documents to the appropriate users.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): A technology that dramatically increases the digital capacity of ordinary telephone lines. DSL speeds are based on the distance between the customer and the telephone company’s central office, and include two main categories.
DVD (Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc): A high-density compact disk used for storing large amounts of data, especially high-resolution audio-visual material (such as movies). e-Government (Electronic Government): A generic term for Web-based services provided by agencies of local, state and federal governments. These websites provide a wide variety of services to the public and have been extremely helpful in reducing paperwork.
Enterprise Management System (EM Systems): Network management systems capable of managing network devices and services from a central location (in an Internet protocol based enterprise network). These systems allow for faster resolution of user needs and network issues/updates.
eParks Agenda: The agenda for the monthly Parks, Recreation, Community Services And Urban Forestry commission meetings, which are published on the City’s website.
ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute): Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, including programs that plot zip codes and addresses; demographic information; and detailed, color-coded data.
Exchange: The City’s e-mail system. A messaging system that runs on a Windows server class operating system and can be accessed by web browsers, the Exchange client or Outlook.
Firewall: The primary method for keeping a computer or network secure from intruders. A firewall allows or blocks traffic into and out of a private network or computer. Firewalls are widely used to give users secure access to the Internet, as well as to separate a company's public web server from its internal network. Firewalls are also used to keep parts of a network secure from other network users.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): A protocol used to transfer files over a TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) network. For example, after developing pages for a website on a local machine, the pages are typically uploaded to the web server using FTP.
GIS (Geographic Information Services): An information system that deals with spatial information. Often called "mapping software," it links attributes and characteristics of an area to its geographic location. It is used in a variety of applications, including exploration, demographics, dispatching, tracking and map making. Unlike paper maps, digital maps can be combined with layers of information.
HMIS (Hanlon Management Information Systems: A software application used by the cemetery to track burial plots.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language): The document format used on the web. Webpages are built with HTML tags (codes) embedded in the text. HTML defines the page layout, fonts and graphic elements, as well as the hypertext links to other documents on the web.
HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol): The communications protocol used to connect to servers on the web. Its primary function is to establish a connection with a web server and transmit HTML (HyperText Markup Language) pages or any other files required by the application to the client browser.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning): Systems used to remotely monitor and control building environmental controls.
IIS (Internet Information Services): Microsoft's web server. IIS runs under the server versions of Windows NT, 2000 and 2003, adding full HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol) capability to the Windows operating system.
IP (Internet Protocol): The network layer protocol in the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communications protocol suite. The terms "IP network" and "TCP/IP network" are synonymous.
IRIS (Information and Referral Information System): Computer program used by the PRCS Senior Center to track information of its senior members.
Link Device: A device such as a router, switch, or hub that is used to link multiple systems and/or networks.
LitPro: System used by the Library to manage information on its literacy students, their training and their progress.
LiveScan: Department of Justice (DOJ) digital fingerprinting system used to submit fingerprints for criminal and background histories. This system is used by various city departments but maintained by the Police Department.
MDS (Mobile Data System): Computer system used by the Police Department in their patrol cars to facilitate police business (checking criminal histories, writing police reports, etc.). This network utilizes wireless technology.
Metroscan: System used throughout the City to identify parcel information; such as ownership, variances and current status.
Millenium: An integrated library management system that is used by the Library primarily for book circulation. Its servers are managed by the Sacramento County Library.
MRTG (Multi Router Traffic Grapher): A tool used to monitor the traffic load on network links. MRTG generates special pages containing graphical images which provide a live visual representation of this traffic.
PC (Personal Computer): Any laptop or desktop computer (such as a Windows machine or a Macintosh).
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant): A handheld computer that serves as an organizer for personal information. It generally includes at least a name and address database, to-do list and note taker. Common brand names include Palm Pilot and Pocket PC. PDA’s may be combined with cell phones and other wireless technologies, providing a mobile office for people on the go. Photomapper: A software application that allows the viewing of map files and Geographical Information System (GIS) layers.
PicAx: A system used by the Public Works Department for performing visual condition assessments of underground sewer lines.
psNet: Software application that collects police activity information from the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, and presents it in report form. Also known as the Briefing Log.
QuicNet: A system used by the Public Works Department to manage the City’s traffic signals and street lighting.
RecWare: A software application used by PRCS to manage their facility reservations and activity scheduling.
RHAVE (Risk, Hazard and Value Evaluation): A set of tools and methods used by the fire service and community leaders to make objective, quantifiable decisions about their fire and emergency services needs.
RMS (Records Management System): Computer systems used by the Police and Fire Departments (separate systems) to maintain public safety information, such as incident histories, police and fire reports, criminal warrants, etc.
Router: A network device that forwards packets from one network to another. Based on internal routing tables, routers read each incoming packet and decide how to forward it.
SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition): A process control application used by the Public Works Department to collect data from sensors and machines on the shop floor, or in remote locations, and send this information to a central computer for management and control.
ScheduleSoft: Software application used by the Police Department to manage staff schedules. Sentinel: Software database used to manage police property and evidence inventories. The system utilizes barcode technology to aid with data collection.
Server: A computer system in a network that is shared by multiple users. Servers come in a variety of sizes and may be used to provide an array of services such as file, print, application and database services.
SunPro: System used by the Fire Department to record fire incident information
SVC (Switched Virtual Circuit): A network connection that is established at the time the transmission is required and disconnected when the session is completed. SVC’s are normally implemented in connection-oriented systems such as the analog telephone network and Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) networks.
Switch: A mechanical or electronic device that directs the flow of electrical or optical signals from one side of a network to another.
T-1 line: A point-to-point dedicated, digital circuit provided by telephone companies.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): A communications protocol developed under contract from the Department of Defense to network dissimilar systems. TCP/IP has become the de facto standard protocol of the Internet and the global standard for communications.
Telestaff: A software application used by the Fire and Police Departments to manage staff schedules.
Terminal Server: A computer or controller used to connect multiple terminals to a network or host computer.
TMS (Training Management System): Computer database used to manage Police Department training information.
Track-It: Help desk system used by the Information Systems (IS) Division to manage, log and track computer-related help requests, as well as to inventory and audit computer systems on the City’s network.
Transman: Vehicle maintenance software used by Public Works’ Operations and Maintenance Division.
TrendMicro: The anti-spam/anti-virus system used by the Information Systems (IS) Division to filter incoming and outgoing e-mail.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): A device that provides battery backup to equipment when electrical power fails, or drops to an unacceptable voltage level.
VNC (Virtual Network Computing): A software application that makes it possible to view and fully interact with one computer from any other computer or mobile device, anywhere on the Internet.
VoIP (Voice over the Internet Protocol): A telephone service that uses the Internet as a global telephone network
VPN (Virtual Private Network): A private network that is configured within a public network (such as the Internet) in order to take advantage of the economies of scale and management facilities of large networks. VPNs are widely used by enterprises to create wide area networks (WANs) that span large geographic areas, to provide site-to-site connections to branch offices, and to allow mobile users to connect to their company’s local area networks (LANs).
Websense: The global leader in web filtering, and a premier provider of web and desktop security software.
WiFi (Wireless Fidelity): A logo from the Wi-Fi Alliance that certifies that Ethernet devices comply with wireless industry standards.
WPCF (Water Pollution Control Facility): A city division tasked with the sanitation and recovery of city water.
