API
An interface where two systems exchange data by fixed rules. A website can, for example, fetch stock levels from the ERP through its API.
Glossary
Web and AI terms
The words that come up in web, hosting and AI projects, and the rules that govern them.
30 terms
Web and product
CMS
A content management system where editors write and update content without touching the code. WordPress is the most common one.
Core Web Vitals
Google's three measures of how a page feels: how fast the main content appears (LCP), how fast the page responds to input (INP) and how much it shifts while loading (CLS). They affect both visitors and search rankings.
Design system
A shared library of colours, typefaces, components and rules for using them. New pages and features match the rest without being designed from scratch.
Headless CMS
A CMS that only stores content and serves it through an API. The website, the app and in-store screens can then use the same copy. More under web development.
Integration
A connection that moves data between systems automatically, for example from the web form to the CRM or from the shop to the accounts. It replaces manual entry.
Responsive design
A layout that adapts to the screen, from phone to large monitor. The same page and the same address work on every device.
Technical SEO
What in the code and hosting lets search engines find, read and understand the pages: sitemap, heading structure, language tags, load times and structured data.
WCAG
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, covering contrast, keyboard navigation, text alternatives for images and more. Level AA is what laws and tenders usually require.
Hosting and cloud
Backup
Copies of data and files that can be restored after a fault, a breach or a mistake. A backup only counts once a restore has been tested.
CDN
A network of servers that keeps copies of images and pages close to visitors. Pages load faster and can take more visits at once.
Cloud migration
Moving systems and data from your own servers or an old provider to a cloud service. The work covers planning, a trial move, the move itself and shutting down the old setup.
DNS
The address book of the internet, translating a domain name into the server's address. DNS also decides where the domain's email goes. InfraHarbour shows domains, DNS and servers in one view.
Hosting
The server and service where the website or app runs. It decides how fast, secure and available the service is, and who takes care of updates.
Managed IT
A provider runs operations, updates, monitoring and support for a fixed fee. The business does not need its own staff for it.
SLA
A service level agreement: the availability promised, how fast faults must be fixed and what applies if the level is not met.
SSL/TLS
The encryption between visitor and server, which is why the address starts with https. It needs a certificate that is renewed regularly.
AI
AI agent
An AI that carries out tasks in several steps, such as searching, reading, filling in and passing on, instead of only answering a question. It works within the tools and permissions it has been given.
AI gateway
A layer between the apps and the AI providers that handles keys, logging, spending limits and switching models. The model can be changed without changing the apps. ModelHarbour is our own.
BYOK
Bring your own key: the service uses the customer's own API key with the AI provider. The customer pays the provider directly and holds the contract and control. That is how ModelHarbour works.
Hallucination
When a language model writes something that sounds plausible but is wrong or made up. The risk drops with your own source material, clear instructions and checks on the answers.
LLM (large language model)
An AI model trained on large amounts of text that can write, summarise, translate and answer questions. Claude, GPT and Gemini are examples.
Prompt
The instruction and material sent to a language model. How it is written largely decides how good and how consistent the answers are.
RAG
Retrieval-augmented generation: the model first fetches relevant passages from your own documents and then answers from them. Answers rest on your information and can cite the source. More under AI and automation.
Token
The unit language models read, write and bill in, often part of a word. The question, the source material and the answer all count.
Regulation
AI Act
The EU law on AI, which sorts AI systems by risk and sets requirements to match. It applies in stages, and already requires, among other things, that people know when they are talking to an AI.
Data processing agreement
The agreement required when a supplier processes personal data on your behalf, such as the hosting provider or an AI service. It sets out what the supplier may do with the data.
European Accessibility Act (EAA)
EU rules that since June 2025 require e-commerce, banking services, e-books and more to be accessible to people with disabilities. Micro-enterprises selling services are exempt.
GDPR
The EU General Data Protection Regulation, governing how personal data is collected, used, stored and deleted. It applies to forms, analytics, newsletters and AI services that process personal data.
NIS2
The EU directive on cybersecurity for important sectors, including energy, transport, digital infrastructure and some manufacturers. It requires risk management, incident reporting and control of suppliers.
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