📖 Glossary · Quick reference
Digital Transformation Glossary — 80 terms
The 80 most-used digital transformation terms, defined in clear Spanish. Use it as reference before your next meeting with your tech team or consultancy.
Last updated: May 26, 2026
Who is this for
If you identify with any of these profiles, this is for you.
CEO without tech background
If you approve tech investments but do not fully understand what is being sold to you.
Director of operations
You work with systems daily but corporate jargon slows you down in meetings with tech.
External consultant / advisor
You need to speak your clients' language without losing technical credibility.
Student / young professional
You want to break into digital transformation without feeling lost in every meeting.
What you'll learn
Key takeaways.
- Distinguish terms that sound similar but are VERY different (digitalization vs digital transformation, automation vs RPA, BI vs Big Data)
- Understand why your provider says "you need a Data Warehouse" instead of "you need Power BI"
- Identify when a consultant is using jargon to inflate the price
- Validate technical proposals by asking for specific definitions
- Feel comfortable participating in technical discussions without fear of looking bad
- Ask better questions to your technology team or agency
Table of contents
Exactly what's inside.
📊 Data and Analytics (12 terms)
BI, Big Data, Data Warehouse, ETL, KPI, SSOT, ML, ROI...
🔧 Enterprise Systems (10 terms)
ERP, CRM, SCM, WMS, HCM, MA, API, Middleware, Legacy...
🛍️ Sales and Marketing (18 terms)
Lead, MQL, SQL, Funnel, CAC, LTV, Churn, Attribution, SEO, SEM, CTR...
⚙️ Operations and Processes (8 terms)
Lead-to-Cash, Order-to-Cash, RPA, Workflow, SLA...
☁️ Infrastructure and Cloud (8 terms)
Cloud, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, Multi-Cloud, Scalability, Uptime...
🔒 Security and Compliance (9 terms)
GDPR, SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, MFA, Zero Trust...
🧠 Strategy and Culture (9 terms)
Digital Transformation vs Digitalization, Change Management, Agile, OKR...
💰 Digital Business Models (6 terms)
Subscription, MRR/ARR, Freemium, Pay-as-you-go, Marketplace, Network Effect
💡 Why we built this
The story behind the resource.
"In every client meeting we noticed the same thing: brilliant executives nodding at terms they did not fully understand (ERP, BI, SCM, ETL...). The problem is not them — it is that the tech sector speaks jargon. This is the glossary we wish we had when we started."
— COBIZ Team
How to use it
It's not just downloading. It's using it well.
1. Read the index first
Identify the 2-3 categories most relevant to your current role. Do not read all at once.
2. Use as reference, not as reading
Keep it open during technical meetings. When you hear an unfamiliar term, look it up in 10 seconds.
3. Share with your team
Pass it to directors and managers. Create common vocabulary. Meetings shorten ~30% when everyone understands the same thing.
4. Re-read in 3 months
Some terms only "click" when you live them in practice. Come back and you will understand 2x more.
⚡ After this resource
Want to go from "generic framework" to diagnostic of your company?
This resource gives you the framework. COBIZ Analyst gives you the real diagnostic of YOUR company with an executive dossier in 24 hours. From $24.99 USD.
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