The SaaS is always greener

 One of the feel-good benefits of using software-as-a-service (SaaS) is that, on a small scale, it undoubtedly will be a greener choice than purchasing actual software. In most cases, software requires packaging, disks, manuals and, often, additional hardware to run it. SaaS jettisons all that stuff. Rob Munz, president of Proof-it Online LLC in Cary, N.C., adds that you can also choose SaaS vendors  that host their application at environmentally-conscious sites, such as Rackspace Managed Hosting (which even sent its customers holiday cards that could be planted in the ground to grow wildflowers).

Proof-it Online makes SaaS even greener, Munz contends. Its users are able to proof online print-oriented content, such as product brochures, magazines, and advertisements, thus cutting the use of paper and ink in the traditional approval process. The service keeps track of who logs on and when and centralizes everyone's comments related to the content. Later this quarter Proof-it Online will offer similar review-comment-and-approve services for Flash and video content destined for the Web. Pricing is usage based.