Quick Answer
The answer is Software as a Service (SaaS). This deployment model is the correct choice because it delivers the CRM application over the internet, allowing users to access it from any mobile device or desktop through a web browser without requiring any local software installation. The provider hosts and manages the entire application stack, which directly satisfies the small business’s need for zero-install, cross-platform accessibility. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cloud deployment models versus on-premises solutions; a common trap is confusing SaaS with IaaS or PaaS, which do not provide ready-to-use applications. Remember the memory tip: “SaaS is the app you access, not the infrastructure you manage.”
This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of applications and software. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A small business wants to use a CRM system. They need to access it from mobile devices and desktops without installing software. Which deployment model fits?
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Why wrong: PaaS provides a platform for development, not end-user applications.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS delivers software over the internet, accessible via browser without installation.
On-premises
Why wrong: On-premises requires installation and maintenance on local servers.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Why wrong: IaaS provides virtualized hardware, not applications.
Answer choices
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)
Software as a Service (SaaS) delivers the CRM application over the internet, allowing users to access it from any device with a web browser without installing software. This model matches the requirement for mobile and desktop access with zero local installation, as the provider hosts and manages the entire application stack.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Why it's wrong here
PaaS provides a platform for development, not end-user applications.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Why this is correct
SaaS delivers software over the internet, accessible via browser without installation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
On-premises
Why it's wrong here
On-premises requires installation and maintenance on local servers.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Why it's wrong here
IaaS provides virtualized hardware, not applications.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse PaaS with SaaS, thinking a platform is sufficient for a ready-to-use application, but PaaS requires development effort to create the CRM software, whereas SaaS delivers it as a finished service.
Detailed technical explanation
SaaS applications are typically accessed via HTTPS using a web browser, relying on server-side rendering and client-side JavaScript for interactivity. Under the hood, the provider manages multi-tenancy, load balancing, and database scaling, ensuring each customer's data is isolated while sharing the same application instance. In a real-world scenario, a CRM like Salesforce or HubSpot uses this model, where the business only needs a URL and credentials to start working from any device.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the FC0-U61 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Applications and Software — This question tests Applications and Software — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Software as a Service (SaaS) — Software as a Service (SaaS) delivers the CRM application over the internet, allowing users to access it from any device with a web browser without installing software. This model matches the requirement for mobile and desktop access with zero local installation, as the provider hosts and manages the entire application stack.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company decides to deploy a new accounting application. The vendor offers a subscription model where users pay monthly. This is an example of:
mediumWhy B: Option D is correct because SaaS is a subscription-based model delivered over the internet. Option A is wrong because open source software is free but usually not subscription-based. Option B is wrong because shareware is trial software. Option C is wrong because freeware is free without subscription.
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This FC0-U61 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-U61 exam.
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