FC0-U71 Applications and Software Practice Question
A small business wants to deploy a new customer relationship management (CRM) application. The company has no in-house IT staff and wants to minimize upfront infrastructure costs. They also need to access the CRM from any device with a browser. Which of the following deployment models best fits these requirements?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any cloud service eliminates infrastructure costs; however, only SaaS delivers a complete application, while IaaS and PaaS still require management responsibilities.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS is the correct choice because it provides a fully managed application accessible via a web browser, with no need for local infrastructure or IT staff. The subscription model aligns with minimizing upfront costs. PaaS and IaaS require more technical management, and on-premises demands significant capital and maintenance, making them unsuitable for this scenario.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Why it's wrong here
IaaS offers virtualized computing resources over the internet, but the business would still be responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining the CRM software and the operating system. This requires IT expertise and does not eliminate upfront costs entirely, as they pay for the infrastructure. It also doesn't provide the immediate browser-based access to a fully managed CRM application.
- ✗
On-premises
Why it's wrong here
On-premises deployment requires the company to purchase and maintain physical servers, install the CRM software locally, and handle all updates and security. This incurs significant upfront infrastructure costs and demands IT expertise, which the small business lacks. It also typically limits access to the local network unless additional remote access solutions are configured, failing the requirement for browser-based access from any device.
- ✗
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Why it's wrong here
PaaS provides a platform for developers to build, run, and manage applications without dealing with infrastructure. However, the business needs a ready-to-use CRM application, not a development platform. Using PaaS would require custom development or deploying a CRM on the platform, which still involves configuration and management, not the turnkey solution described.
- ✓
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Why this is correct
SaaS delivers the CRM application over the internet, hosted by the vendor. The business pays a subscription fee, avoiding upfront hardware and software costs. Users can access the CRM via a web browser from any device, and the vendor manages updates, security, and availability. This matches the need for low upfront cost, no in-house IT, and anywhere access.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.