We might be on the cusp of a purely technology-driven world, but people are still lost when it comes to what tech-related acronyms actually mean.

You might know what it means to slide into one’s DM’s, or click on a URL, but do you know what those terms actually spell out?

Our favourite local Internet Service Providers (ISP 😉) RSAWEB gave us a few pointers on some of the most commonly used tech acronyms used today, and we couldn’t be happier to share it with you.

Ready? Go:

IoT
The Internet of Things is a phrase that is dominating tech news. It basically refers to the “multitude of devices that intelligently connect and interact with each other via the Internet,” explains RSAWEB, from vehicles, kitchen appliances, heart monitors and everything that can plugin into the existing gigantic information system.

URL
This is something we use often, but to break it down it stands for Uniform Resource Locator, explains RSAWEB.  A URL refers to a location (or address) of a web or mobile site accessed via the Internet. RSAWEB’s URL is https://www.rsaweb.co.za/. Aaaaah.

MSP
Managed Service Provider. Essentially, it’s an IT service provider like RSAWEB, that hosts and manages servers, networks and applications for and on behalf of its customers.

VDC
Meaning Virtual Data Centre, a VDC is a “virtual representation of a physical data centre complete with servers, storage and networking components.” The “virtual” part means that the infrastructure is cloud-based, which means…

Cloud
“The Cloud” is a metaphor for the Internet. You know, when people are afraid of connecting to “the cloud”? RSAWEB explains that when people talk about “keeping their files in the cloud, it means they are storing them on the Internet using a software program”. You can then access your files from anywhere that has an Internet connection. Boom.

DRaaS
Relating to a Disaster Recovery as a Service, it’s a service most customers will require:

Effectively this is a backup service that will protect the customer’s applications and data from being disrupted in the event of a disaster allowing normal business to continue.

Very important.

SaaS
Uber, Airbnb, Shopify, Linkedin, Dropbox, Slack and Zendesk might offer different services, but they all have one thing in common: they are all examples of Software as a Service (SaaS) companies whereby customers pay to use software. It is also known as hosted software or on-demand software.

Not so confusing, right?

At least when you’re on the phone to RSAWEB in an effort to connect yourself to their FTTH (fiber-to-the-home) option [at just R679 Per Month for 10MB Fibre, uncapped with a FREE router and installation], you will know what the heck they are talking about.

We got you.

[source: rsaweb]