Business software glossary
Short answer
The terms that come up when choosing or buying software for hotels, stores, restaurants, factories and farms in Colombia, explained in one or two sentences, with a link to the page where each applies.
PWA
Progressive Web App: a web app that opens in the browser and can also be installed on a phone or computer like an app. Learn more →
PMS
Property Management System: hotel management software that handles bookings, check-in and check-out, cash and rooms. Learn more →
POS
Point of sale: the register software to sell, take payments, run cash counts and closings, and deduct stock. Learn more →
HACCP
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points: a food-safety system that records checks at the critical points of the production process. Learn more →
TRA / SIRE
Guest reports filed by lodgings in Colombia: the lodging registration card (Tarjeta de Registro de Alojamiento, TRA) and the foreign-guest report to Migración Colombia (SIRE). Always check current requirements with your advisor. Learn more →
Owned source code
The software's code, accounts and access credentials are in your company's name, so you can evolve it with whoever you choose. Learn more →
One-time payment
You buy the software once, with no monthly license to use it. Afterwards you only cover the hosting and maintenance you choose to contract. Learn more →
Subscription (SaaS)
Software as a service: you pay a recurring fee while you use it and the code remains the vendor's. Learn more →
Custom software
Software fitted to a company's processes, roles and data. It can be built from scratch or by adapting a base that already works in the industry. Learn more →
Native app
An app built for a specific operating system (Android or iOS) and installed from the app store. Learn more →
ERP
Enterprise Resource Planning: a system that brings processes such as inventory, purchasing, production, sales and finance into one database. Learn more →
CRM
Customer Relationship Management: software to record customers, opportunities and the sales team's follow-up. Learn more →
Cash count and register closing
Counting the cash in the register at the end of a shift or the day, compared with what the point of sale recorded. Learn more →
Real-time inventory
Stock that updates with every sale, purchase, write-off or transfer, instead of being calculated at month end. Learn more →
Waste (shrinkage)
The gap between the stock there should be and the stock there is, due to losses, expiry or waste. Learn more →
Recipe costing
Calculating the cost of a dish or product from the quantities and prices of each ingredient in its standard recipe. Learn more →
Batch (lot)
A quantity of product made in the same order and conditions, identified so it can be followed end to end. Learn more →
Bill of materials
The list of inputs and quantities needed to make a product, with its expected yield. Learn more →
Traceability
Being able to follow a batch from its raw materials to its sale, with dates and expiry. Learn more →
OKR
Objectives and Key Results: a method to set goals and track progress with key results on a dashboard. Learn more →
Contribution P&L
An income statement showing how much margin each channel or business leaves after its direct costs. Learn more →
Roles and permissions
Rules that define what each person can see and do in the software, according to their job. Learn more →
API
Application Programming Interface: a technical gateway through which two systems exchange data without manual work. Learn more →
Integration
A connection between your software and another system you already use, such as your accounting software or invoicing provider, so you do not type data twice. Learn more →
Electronic invoicing
An invoice generated and validated electronically with the DIAN (Colombia's tax authority). Always check current requirements with your advisor. Learn more →
AI agent
A program that takes a task, looks up data and proposes or carries out a step, with a person reviewing the result. Learn more →
Diagnosis
A free review of your operation to define which processes, roles and data go into the software, which base applies and the proposal's scope. Learn more →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an ERP and a POS?
The POS is the register where you sell and take payment; the ERP brings together inventory, purchasing, production, sales and finance for the whole company. A POS can be one of the pieces of an ERP.
What is the difference between a PWA and a native app?
A PWA opens in the browser and can be installed on any device from a single build; a native app is built for each operating system and installed from the app store.
Does a one-time payment mean there are no further costs?
There is no monthly license to use the software. The hosting and maintenance you choose to contract are agreed separately, in writing.
You may also need: TRA, SIRE and DIAN guide for hotels · what to require so the code is yours · food factory software (HACCP) · ERP and inventory for SMBs · AI agents for companies · web apps and PWAs · how much custom software costs · software by industry
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