Bufferpunt

Bufferpunt, literally “buffer point” in Dutch, is a term used to designate a mode or location within a system where work, data, or inventory is temporarily held to absorb variability in flow. The concept emphasizes decoupling adjacent processes so fluctuations in input do not propagate downstream. The word combines buffer with punt (point) and is used across industries in Dutch-language contexts; in English-language writing the term may be translated as buffer point, buffering point, or buffering node.

In computing and networking, a bufferpunt refers to a memory buffer or queue at a defined boundary in a data path where incoming data is stored briefly before processing or transmission. In streaming applications, a bufferpunt helps smooth playback by absorbing jitter.

In manufacturing and logistics, a bufferpunt is a stock-holding location or virtual location where inventory is kept to decouple production from demand. It can be a physical bin, a dedicated warehouse area, or a policy-based buffer in just-in-time systems, used to reduce the risk of production stoppages due to variability.

In software architecture, a bufferpunt can describe a boundary between components where events or messages are queued, enabling asynchronous processing and resilience.

Characteristics include that it is not necessarily a single device; it is an architectural or logistical concept realized by data structures, buffers, or inventory policies. The exact implementation varies by industry.

See also: buffer, queue, decoupling, safety stock.