API (Application Programming Interface)
A source code interface that a computer system or program library provides to support requests for services to be made of it by a computer program. An API differs from an application binary interface in that it is specified in terms of a programming language that can be compiled when an application is built, rather than an explicit low level description of how data is laid out in memory.
Application Server
An application server is a software engine that delivers applications to client computers or devices. Moreover, an application server handles most, if not all, of the business logic and data access of the application (A.K.A. centralization). The main benefit of application servers is the ease of application development, since applications need not be programmed; instead, they are assembled from building blocks provided by the application server.
Application Software
A subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly to a task that the user wishes to perform. Multiple applications bundled together as a package are sometimes referred to as an application suite. For example, the CollectOne software suite, which bundles together collection software, a client and debtor Web portal, and a predictive dialer.
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
A commonly used data format for exchanging information between computers or programs.
Automatic Call Distributor (ACD)
A device that distributes incoming calls to a specific group of terminals that agents use. It is often part of a computer telephony integration system.
ACD systems are often found in offices that handle large volumes of incoming phone calls from callers who have no specific need to talk to a certain person, but want to talk to a person who is ready to serve at the earliest opportunity.
Automatic Number Identification (ANI)
A feature of telephony intelligent network services which permits subscribers to display or capture the telephone numbers of calling parties. The ANI service was created by AT&T for internal long-distance billing purposes, and is not related to newer Caller ID services.
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