Recast logo
Recast Mark
Log In
Download Free Tools
Pricing
Home / Blog / Recast Blog / Acronyms of Configuration Manager

Acronyms of Configuration Manager

On Nov 10, 2020 by Garth Jones Garth Jones
5 min
Sample Endpoint Insights Callout

Sample Endpoint Insights Callout

Card description goes here.

Learn More

There are many abbreviations and acronyms associated with Configuration Manager. I’m going to talk about some of the more popular ones and then give you a list of acronyms that I think every Admin needs to know about. Whether you are just starting out, or are an old hand, you should find this information useful. Now, let’s get started talking about the many different acronyms of Configuration Manager.

The Many Different Acronyms of Configuration Manager - Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager

Abbreviations and Acronyms of Configuration Manager

When you refer to Configuration Manager, do you use the official short-forms, “ConfigMgr,” or, “MEMCM?” Do you use the ever-popular, “SCCM,” or the newer, “MECM?” Are you old-school and still use, “SMS?” Personally, I like to use ConfigMgr because unlike the other short-forms, this one doesn’t need to change.

Below, I talk about each one and add a few new ones into the mix.

SMS

If you are new to Configuration Manager, then you may not have heard about Systems Management Server. This is where it all started. You can read more about it on this page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_System_Center_Configuration_Manager

ConfigMgr

This is the official short form, but it doesn’t say which version. Is it referring to 2007, 2012, 2012 R2/R3 or current branch? Despite this problem, it’s still my go-to short form. Here’s more information about it: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/

SCCM

This acronym gained popularity when the product was called, “System Center Configuration Manager.” It is not the official acronym. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/

MEMCM

Configuration Manager, along with Intune, is now part of Microsoft Endpoint Manager. This update was announced at Microsoft Ignite 2019. The first letter of each word forms, “MEMCM.” However, Microsoft Endpoint Manager Configuration Manager doesn’t necessarily roll off the tongue! https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/

MECM

Instead of using MEMCM, I see a lot of folks using MECM – Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/

Additional Acronyms of Configuration Manager

Below are some more acronyms I’ve seen used and what each one stands for.

CM

Configuration Manager

CM07

Configuration Manager 2007
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_System_Center_Configuration_Manager

CM12

Configuration Manager 2012 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_System_Center_Configuration_Manager

CM12R2

Configuration Manager 2012 R2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_System_Center_Configuration_Manager

CMCB

Configuration Manager Current Branch https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/

Let me know what your favorite Configuration Manager acronym is to use by leaving a note in the comment section below or contacting me @GarthMJ.

Important Acronyms

Below is a list of the most important acronyms that a ConfigMgr Admin will need to know. You might want to bookmark this page for handy reference.

Acronyms Details URL
AAD Azure Active Directory https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/fundamentals/active-directory-whatis
AD Active Directory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Directory
ADK Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/test/weg/understanding-the-windows-adk-tools
AI Asset Intelligence https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/clients/manage/asset-intelligence/introduction-to-asset-intelligence
App-V Microsoft Application Virtualization https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-desktop-optimization-pack/appv-v4/overview-of-application-virtualization
ARP Add Remove Programs https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/a/addremov.htm
AV Anti-virus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antivirus_software
AVMA Automatic Virtual Machine Activation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/vm-activation-19
BG Boundary Groups https://docs.microsoft.com/bg-bg/mem/configmgr/core/servers/deploy/configure/define-site-boundaries-and-boundary-groups
BIDS Business Intelligence Development Studio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Intelligence_Development_Studio
BITS Background Intelligent Transfer Service https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Background_Intelligent_Transfer_Service
BSOD Blue Screen of Death https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_screen_of_death
BYOD Bring Your Own Device https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2012/07/17/beginners-guide-to-byod-bring-your-own-device/
CAL Client Access License https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/client-access-license
CAS Central Administration Site https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/plan-design/hierarchy/design-a-hierarchy-of-sites
CI Configuration Item https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/develop/compliance/about-configuration-baselines-and-configuration-items
CMDB Configuration Management Database https://searchdatacenter.techtarget.com/definition/configuration-management-database
CMG Cloud Management Gateway https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/clients/manage/cmg/plan-cloud-management-gateway
CTE Common Table Expression https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/queries/with-common-table-expression-transact-sql?view=sql-server-ver15
DaRT Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2019/03/25/dart-the-microsoft-cybersecurity-team-we-hope-you-never-meet/
DC Domain Controller https://www.techopedia.com/definition/4193/domain-controller-dc
DCM Desired Configuration Management https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/develop/reference/core/clients/client-classes/compliance-settings–dcm–client-interfaces
DFS Distributed File System https://techterms.com/definition/dfs
DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/dhcp/dhcp-top
DISM Deployment Image Servicing and Management https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/what-is-dism
DMZ Demilitarized Zone https://www.barracuda.com/glossary/dmz-network
DNS Domain Name System https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/dns/dns-top
DP Distribution Point https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/mem/configmgr/dp-installation-upgrade-configuration
EP Endpoint Protection https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/protect/deploy-use/endpoint-protection
FQDN Fully Qualified Domain Name https://kb.iu.edu/d/aiuv
FSP Fallback Status Point https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/configuration-manager-archive/the-fallback-status-point-prerequisites-verification-and/ba-p/272687
GA General Availability https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/understand/which-branch-should-i-use
GC Global Catalog https://www.techopedia.com/definition/25429/global-catalog-gc
GP Group Policy https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/16757.active-directory-glossary.aspx#G
GPO Group Policy Object https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/16757.active-directory-glossary.aspx#G
GUID Globally Unique Identifier https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/16757.active-directory-glossary.aspx#G
HA High Availability https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/deploy/configure/high-availability-options
HD Hard Disk Drive https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/h/hd.htm
HDD Hard Disk Drive https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/h/hd.htm
HW Inv. Hardware Inventory https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/clients/manage/inventory/introduction-to-hardware-inventory
IIS Internet Information Services https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Information_Services
IOPS Input/Output Operations per Second https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8153/~/input%2Foutput-operations-per-second-%28iops%29-defined
IP Internet Protocol https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/ip-address.asp
IPv4 Internet Protocol version 4 https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=139604
IPv6 Internet Protocol version 6 https://www.networkworld.com/article/3254575/what-is-ipv6-and-why-aren-t-we-there-yet.html
ISV Independent Software Vendor https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/isv-independent-software-vendor
KMS Key Management Service https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/products-keys-faq
KPI Key Performance Indicator https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/business-insights-ideas/resources/what-are-kpis-and-how-to-use-them
KVM Keyboard Video and Mouse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVM_switch
LAPS Local Administrator Password Solution https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=46899
LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ldap/lightweight-directory-access-protocol-ldap-api
LTSB Long Term Servicing Branch https://www.computerworld.com/article/3250464/faq-windows-10-ltsb-explained.html
MAC Media Access Control https://www.techopedia.com/definition/25059/media-access-control-ma
MAK Multiple Activation Key https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/vlactivation/activate-office-by-using-mak
MAM Mobile Application Management https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/apps/app-management
MAN Metropolitan Area Network https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-metropolitan-area-network/
MBAM Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-desktop-optimization-pack/mbam-v25/
MDM Mobile Device Management https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/
MDT Microsoft Deployment Toolkit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Deployment_Toolkit
MMC Microsoft Management Console https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/962457/what-is-mmc
MP Management Point https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/plan-design/hierarchy/understand-how-clients-find-site-resources-and-services
NAS Network Attached Storage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network-attached_storage
NAT Network Address Translation https://techterms.com/definition/nat
NIC Network Interface Controller https://www.tutorialspoint.com/what-is-network-interface-card-nic
OSD Operating System Deployment https://sourcedaddy.com/windows-7/what-is-osd.html
PBRS Power BI Report Server https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/report-server/
PRI Primary Site https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/plan-design/hierarchy/design-a-hierarchy-of-sites
PXE Preboot Execution Environment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preboot_Execution_Environment
QOS Quality of Service https://kb.netgear.com/972/How-QoS-improves-performance
RBAC Role Based Access Control https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/deploy/configure/configure-role-based-administration
RCT Right-Click Tool Recast Software – Endpoint Management Software
RDP Remote Desktop Protocol https://www.techopedia.com/definition/3422/remote-desktop-protocol-rdp
RFC Request for Comments https://www.nfon.com/en/service/knowledge-base/knowledge-base-detail/request-for-comments-rfc
RP Reporting Point https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/core/servers/manage/introduction-to-reporting
SCEP System Center Endpoint Protection https://www.comparitech.com/net-admin/system-center-endpoint-protection/
SCUP System Center Updates Publisher https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/sum/tools/updates-publisher
SDK Software Development Kit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_development_kit
SSMS SQL Server Management Studio https://www.enhansoft.com/where-is-sql-server-management-studio-ssms/
SSRS SQL Server Reporting Services https://www.enhansoft.com/how-to-install-sql-server-reporting-services-2017/
SUG Software Update Group https://www.danielengberg.com/move-software-updates-between-software-update-groups-sccm/
SUP Software Update Point http://info.adaptivedge.com/blog/understanding-sccm-sup-process
SW Inv. Software Inventory https://www.prajwaldesai.com/how-to-configure-software-inventory-in-sccm/
SWM Software Metering https://www.enhansoft.com/disabled-software-metering-rules-are-a-good-thing/
TAM Technical Account Manager https://services.premier.microsoft.com/assess?Culture=en-US&CultureAutoDetect=true
TPM Trusted Platform Module https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/tpm/tpm-recommendations
UAC User Account Control https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/user-account-control/how-user-account-control-works
UEFI Unified Extensible Firmware Interface https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/bringup/uefi-in-windows
UNC Universal Naming Convention https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/unc
UPN User Principal Name https://kb.iu.edu/d/atzp
URI Uniform Resource Identifier https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Resource_Identifier
UTC Universal Time Coordinated https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinated_Universal_Time
VDI Virtual Desktop Infrastructure https://www.yourdictionary.com/microsoft-vdi
VHD Virtual Hard Disk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHD_(file_format)
VHDX Hyper-V Virtual Hard Disk https://www.altaro.com/hyper-v/understanding-working-vhdx-files/
VLK Volume License Key https://www.techsoupcanada.ca/en/microsoft/volume_licensing
VLSC Volume Licensing Service Center https://www.techsoupcanada.ca/en/microsoft/volume_licensing
VM Virtual Machine https://azure.microsoft.com/en-ca/overview/what-is-a-virtual-machine/
VS Visual Studio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Visual_Studio
VSS Volume Shadow Copy Service https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/file-server/volume-shadow-copy-service
WID Windows Internal Database https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Internal_Database
WinPE Windows Preinstallation Environment https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/winpe-intro
WMI Windows Management Instrumentation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/wmisdk/wmi-start-page
WOL Wake-on LAN https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/deployment/wake-on-lan-feature
WSUS Windows Server Update Services https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-server-update-services/get-started/windows-server-update-services-wsus
WUfB Windows Update for Business https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/waas-manage-updates-wufb
Picture of Garth Jones

Garth Jones

Garth Jones is the Principal Product Consultant at Recast Software, where he develops tools to enhance Microsoft Configuration Manager and Intune. With a systems management career that began in 1996, Garth has earned a Microsoft MVP award for Enterprise Mobility. He is also a noted author, having written key titles like "Navigating Intune Reporting" and led works on SCCM reporting.
All Posts

Share