Ronin Standard Glossary & Decision Guide
Key terms, pricing concepts, and business phrases to help you make an informed decision.
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of rules that lets two software applications talk to each other. APIs allow your CRM, accounting, e‑commerce store, and other tools to share data automatically, eliminating manual entry.
Automation
Using technology to perform repetitive tasks without human intervention. Examples: sending follow‑up emails, updating inventory, generating invoices when an order is placed.
Dashboard
A visual display of your most important metrics in real time. Dashboards replace static reports so you can monitor performance and make decisions instantly.
Data Pipeline
A series of steps that moves raw data from multiple sources (spreadsheets, APIs, databases) to a destination where it can be cleaned, combined, and analysed.
Predictive Modeling
Using historical data and machine learning to forecast future outcomes. Common uses: sales forecasts, demand prediction, customer churn risk, maintenance alerts.
Quantitative Modeling
Mathematical and statistical techniques to represent real‑world business processes. Helps optimise pricing, allocate resources, measure risk, and evaluate investments.
Anomaly Detection
An automated system that identifies unusual patterns in data. For example, a sudden drop in website traffic or spike in refunds triggers an alert so you can investigate immediately.
Workflow Automation
A sequence of tasks that runs automatically based on triggers and conditions. Connects people, data, and apps to streamline approvals, notifications, and data transfers.
KPI (Key Performance Indicator)
A measurable value that shows how effectively you are achieving key business objectives. Examples: customer acquisition cost, monthly recurring revenue, inventory turnover.
Integration
Connecting different software systems so they work as one. Eliminates data silos and ensures a change in one system (e.g., a new sale) automatically updates others (inventory, accounting).
Real‑Time Data
Information updated instantly as events occur. Real‑time dashboards let you react immediately instead of waiting for end‑of‑day reports.
Legacy System Integration
Connecting older, often on‑premise software with modern cloud applications. Preserves your existing investment while enabling new automation and analytics.
Signal Detection
Identifying meaningful patterns or changes within noisy data. Can flag early indicators of customer churn, equipment failure, or emerging market trends.
Backtesting
Testing a predictive model or trading strategy using historical data to see how it would have performed. Essential for validating models before real‑world deployment.
Fixed Price
One of our engagement models. You pay a predetermined amount for a well‑defined scope of work. Ideal when you have clear requirements and want a predictable budget.
Time & Materials (T&M)
An engagement model where you pay for actual hours worked plus materials. Best for evolving projects, research‑heavy work, or when the full scope is not yet known.
Retainer
A recurring monthly fee that reserves a set number of hours for ongoing support, monitoring, and continuous improvement. Provides priority access and predictable costs.
Performance‑Based Pricing
For strategic partnerships, we may accept equity, revenue share, or profit participation instead of traditional fees. Aligns our incentives with your success.
ROI (Return on Investment)
A measure of the profit you gain from an investment relative to its cost. For automation projects, ROI is often calculated as (time saved × hourly cost) divided by project price.
Scope Creep
When a project’s requirements grow beyond the original agreement without adjustments to budget or timeline. We control scope creep through clear documentation and milestone reviews.
Statement of Work (SOW)
A document that defines the project’s objectives, deliverables, timeline, and pricing. The SOW is part of your contract and protects both parties.
MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
The simplest version of a custom application that still solves the core problem. Building an MVP first reduces risk, accelerates feedback, and controls costs.
UAT (User Acceptance Testing)
The final testing phase where you and your team validate that the system meets your requirements before we release it. UAT ensures you are happy with the result.
Intellectual Property (IP)
Ownership rights to the custom code, designs, and data models we create. Our standard contract gives you a perpetual license to use the compiled software. Full source code ownership is available for an additional fee.
SLA (Service Level Agreement)
A contract that defines the level of service you can expect, such as response times, uptime guarantees, and support hours. Included with retainer packages.
TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)
The complete cost of a system over its lifetime, including development, hosting, maintenance, and support. We provide TCO estimates so you can compare against off‑the‑shelf software.
Time to Value (TTV)
The period from project kickoff to when you start seeing tangible benefits. Our typical TTV for workflow automation is 2–4 weeks; for full dashboards, 3–6 weeks.
Discovery Phase
The initial step where we interview stakeholders, review your existing systems, and document requirements. Discovery results in a detailed SOW and a fixed‑price quote.
Change Order
A formal document that modifies the original SOW (adds features, changes scope, adjusts timeline). Change orders prevent scope creep and keep billing transparent.