Least Support Needed Service Category

A.

With SaaS providing a fully functioning application that is managed and maintained by the cloud provider, cloud customers incur the least amount of support responsibilities themselves of any service category.

The four service categories mentioned in the question refer to different types of cloud computing services:

1. Software as a Service (SaaS): In this service model, the cloud provider hosts applications and makes them available to customers over the internet. The customer does not need to manage or control the underlying infrastructure, including the network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities, with the exception of limited user-specific application configuration settings. Therefore, SaaS entails the least amount of support needed on the part of the cloud customer.

2. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): In this service model, the cloud provider offers customers virtualized computing resources, such as virtual machines, storage, and networks, as a service. The customer is responsible for managing the operating system, applications, and data hosted on the virtualized infrastructure, as well as the security of the applications and data. IaaS requires more support on the part of the cloud customer than SaaS.

3. Desktop as a Service (DaaS): This service model provides a virtual desktop environment to customers, allowing them to access their desktops, applications, and data from any location and device. The cloud provider manages the infrastructure and provides virtual desktops to the customer, who is responsible for managing the applications and data hosted on the desktops. DaaS requires more support on the part of the cloud customer than SaaS, but less than IaaS.

4. Platform as a Service (PaaS): This service model provides customers with a platform to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with developing and launching an application. The cloud provider manages the underlying infrastructure, including the network, servers, operating systems, and storage, while the customer manages the applications and data. PaaS requires more support on the part of the cloud customer than SaaS, but less than IaaS.

In summary, the correct answer to the question is A. SaaS, as it entails the least amount of support needed on the part of the cloud customer.