Technology Trends :Jargon buster

Of late the technology landscape is flooded with many jargons.
Just thought of compiling the definitions of latest Technology trends.

Software as a Service, SaaS is a software delivery method that provides access to software and its functions remotely as a Web-based service. SaaS allows organizations to access business functionality at a cost typically less than paying for licensed applications since SaaS pricing is based on usage fee. Also, because the software is hosted remotely, users don't need to invest in additional hardware. SaaS removes the need for organizations to handle the installation, set-up and often daily upkeep and maintenance.

Service-oriented architecture (SOA) unifies business processes by structuring large applications as collection of smaller modules called "services".
SOA is a group of services that communicate with each other. The process of communication involves either simple data-passing or two or more services coordinating some activity. Intercommunication implies the need for some means of connecting two or more services to each other. SOA provides a design framework with a view to realizing rapid and low-cost system development and to improving total system-quality.

Green IT means operating in a way that uses the least amount of resources for the greatest gain; Green IT starts with manufacturers producing environmentally friendly products and encouraging IT departments to consider more friendly options like virtualization, power management and proper recycling habits. The government has also recently proposed new compliance regulations which would work towards certifying data centers as green. Some criteria include using low-emission building materials, recycling, using alternative energy technologies, and other green technologies

Cloud Computing means “Internet-based” development, where ‘Cloud’ here, is a metaphor for ‘Internet’ and ‘Computing’ meaning, the use of “Computer technology”. It is a style of computing in which IT-related capabilities are provided “as a service”, allowing users to access technology-enabled services from the Internet ("in the cloud") without knowledge of, expertise with, or control over the technology infrastructure that supports them.
Some of the associated terms are Infrastructure as a Service,
Private cloud etc.