CentralisedSCM

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Centralised SCM (Software Configuration Management)

A centralised SCM stores all of its metadata in a single authoritative (or "master") database that is not replicated (except possibly for backup purposes), using client-server approach. CVS (and RCS and SCCS) follows this model, as does Subversion.

Git is a DistributedSCM, which is a more general model that's a proper superset of the centralised SCM model. If you want to change your development pattern as little as possible and switch from CVS or Subversion for reasons of non-brokenness (CVS does not have atomic commits), speed, or future flexibility, Git can be used in a way that's very similar to most centralised SCM systems. Instructions on how to do this can be found at Git for CVS users tutorial.