Glossary

Terms

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Software that does tasks which normally need human judgement, such as reading a document, understanding a question or spotting an unusual pattern. In business, AI is most useful when it does one clear job and a person checks the result. Where Berri uses it

Machine learning (ML)

A kind of AI that learns patterns from past examples instead of following hand-written rules. A machine learning model trained on past sales, for example, can estimate next month's demand. Where Berri uses it

Deep learning

Machine learning that uses many-layered neural networks. It is the method behind modern reading of photos, handwriting, speech and long text. Where Berri uses it

Large language model (LLM)

A deep learning model trained on very large amounts of text so that it can read, write, summarise and answer questions in plain language. Chat assistants are built on LLMs. An LLM can state wrong things confidently, so business answers should be grounded in your own data. Where Berri uses it

Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)

A way of making an LLM answer from your own documents or records. The system first looks up the relevant pages or rows, then asks the model to answer using only what it found, which makes answers easier to check. Where Berri uses it

Hallucination

When an AI model produces an answer that sounds right but is not supported by any fact or source. Grounding answers in your data, showing sources and asking a person to approve important actions reduce the risk. Where Berri uses it

AI agent

Software that uses an AI model to carry out a sequence of steps towards a goal, such as checking an invoice, drafting a reminder and logging the result. A safe agent asks a person before anything leaves the business. Where Berri uses it

Human in the loop

A design where a person reviews or approves what an automated system proposes before it acts, for example before a payment reminder is sent to a customer. Where Berri uses it

Optical character recognition (OCR)

Technology that turns text in a photo or scanned document, such as an invoice, a delivery note or a handwritten slip, into text a computer can search and use. Where Berri uses it

Document AI

Software that reads business documents and pulls out the fields that matter, such as invoice number, GSTIN, amount and date, so they do not have to be typed by hand. It usually combines OCR with a model that understands layout. Where Berri uses it

Computer vision

AI that understands images and video, for example reading a number plate, checking whether a photo shows a sealed box, or counting items on a shelf. Where Berri uses it

Natural language processing (NLP)

The part of AI that deals with human language: understanding a customer's message, detecting its language, or sorting emails by topic. Where Berri uses it

Speech recognition

Turning spoken words, such as a voice note on WhatsApp, into text that software can read and act on. Where Berri uses it

Forecasting

Estimating a future number, such as next week's orders or stock needed, from past data and known events. A good forecast comes with a range, not just one number, and is checked against what actually happened. Where Berri uses it

Anomaly detection

Automatically flagging data that does not fit the usual pattern, such as a vehicle stopped far too long, a sudden temperature rise or an unusual payment. Where Berri uses it

Control tower

One live screen that brings together data from several sources, such as GPS, spreadsheets and business software, so a team can see what is happening now and what needs attention. Where Berri uses it

Dashboard

A screen of charts and numbers that summarises how a business is doing. It is most useful when it shows a few numbers people act on and updates from the source data without manual copying. Where Berri uses it

API (application programming interface)

A defined way for one piece of software to request data from, or send data to, another. Connections between tools such as an accounting system and a website are usually built on APIs. Where Berri uses it

WhatsApp Business Platform (API)

Meta's official service that lets a business connect its own software to WhatsApp, so it can send approved messages and run an assistant on a business number. Meta charges message fees, which are separate from any developer's price. Where Berri uses it

ERP (enterprise resource planning)

Business software that runs accounts, orders, stock and purchasing in one system. SAP and Oracle are well-known examples. Where Berri uses it

Tally (TallyPrime)

Accounting and GST software from Tally Solutions, widely used by Indian businesses for books, invoices and stock. Other tools can read data exported from Tally or connect to it. Where Berri uses it

GST (Goods and Services Tax)

India's indirect tax on the supply of goods and services, in force since 1 July 2017. Registered businesses charge GST on invoices and file regular returns. Where Berri uses it

GSTIN

The 15-character GST identification number given to each registered business, one per state of registration. It begins with a two-digit state code, followed by the business's 10-character PAN, and ends with a check character. Where Berri uses it

E-way bill

An electronic document generated on the government's GST e-way bill portal for moving goods, generally required when the consignment value is above ₹50,000. It records the supplier, recipient, goods and vehicle, and is valid for a period that depends on the distance. Where Berri uses it

E-invoice (IRN)

Under GST, an invoice reported to the government's Invoice Registration Portal, which returns an Invoice Reference Number (IRN) and a signed QR code. It is mandatory for businesses above a turnover limit set by the GST authorities. Where Berri uses it

DPDP Act

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, India's law on how organisations collect, use and protect people's personal data. It requires a clear notice and consent for most uses, reasonable security safeguards and reporting of data breaches; rules made under the Act set the details and timelines. Where Berri uses it

UPI (Unified Payments Interface)

India's real-time payment system run by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). A payment link or QR code can let a customer pay a pending invoice in seconds. Where Berri uses it

Udyam registration (MSME)

The government's free online registration for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India. It gives a business an Udyam Registration Number and access to MSME schemes. Where Berri uses it

Internet of things (IoT)

Physical devices, such as GPS trackers, temperature loggers or meters, that send readings over the internet so software can show and act on them. Where Berri uses it

Cold chain

Keeping temperature-sensitive goods, such as medicines, vaccines, dairy or frozen food, within a set temperature range from storage to delivery, with records that prove it. Where Berri uses it

Proof of delivery (POD)

Evidence that goods reached the customer, such as a signed copy, a photo or an OTP. Digital POD lets billing start the same day instead of waiting for paper. Where Berri uses it

Reconciliation

Matching two sets of records that should agree, such as bank entries against invoices, or GST returns against purchase bills, and listing the differences to resolve. Where Berri uses it