Bar Code:
An array of rectangular marks and spaces in a predetermined pattern. Usually used for automatic product identification.

Batch Processing:
A type of data processing operation and data communications transmission where related transactions are grouped together and transmitted for processing, usually by the same computer and under the same application; generally regarded as non-real-time data traffic consisting of large files.

Baud:
A measurement of the signaling speed of a data transmission device; equivalent to the maximum number of signaling elements, or symbols, per second that are generated; may be different from bit/second rate, however, especially at higher speeds, as several bits may be encoded per symbol, or baud, with advance encoding techniques such as phase-shift keying.

Bill of Lading:
Document issued by a carrier to confirm receipt of goods to be transported to an agreed destination. This document states the terms on which the carrier undertakes the transport. If issued in negotiable form, it symbolizes title to the goods.

 

BIMCO:
An acronym for the Baltic Maritme International Conference, a London based shipping organization.

Bisynchronous (Binary Synchronous Communications [BSC]):
Character-oriented data communications protocol developed by IBM.

Bit rate (BPS):
The rate at which bits (binary digits) are transmitted over a communications path. Normally expressed in bits per second (bps). The bit rate is not to be confused with the data signaling rate (Baud) which measures the rate of signal changes being transmitted.

BSC:
Abbreviation for Bisynchronous