- A
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
Why wrong: IaaS provides virtual machines and storage, but the company would still need to install and manage the email server software.
- B
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
Why wrong: PaaS is designed for developing and deploying custom applications, not for hosting a pre-built email system.
- C
SaaS (Software as a Service)
SaaS delivers fully managed software applications, such as cloud-based email, eliminating the need for on-premises servers.
- D
DaaS (Desktop as a Service)
Why wrong: DaaS provides virtual desktops, not email services.
Question 509 of 750
Why SaaS is the Best Cloud Service Model for Email Migration
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of virtualization and cloud technologies. 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 company is considering moving its email system from an on-premises Exchange server to a cloud-based solution. Which cloud service model would best fit this migration?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Quick Answer
The answer is SaaS, or Software as a Service, because it provides a fully managed, ready-to-use email application like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace without requiring you to manage the underlying servers or software. When comparing SaaS vs IaaS vs PaaS for cloud email migration, SaaS is the only model that delivers the complete end-user application; IaaS would still force you to install and maintain the Exchange server software yourself, while PaaS is designed for building custom applications, not for running off-the-shelf email. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to match cloud service models to real-world business needs, and a common trap is confusing IaaS with SaaS because both are “cloud,” but IaaS leaves you responsible for the OS and email server. Remember the memory tip: “SaaS is for ‘Sitting and using’ the app, IaaS is for ‘Installing and administering’ the infrastructure.”
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
✓
SaaS (Software as a Service)
SaaS (Software as a Service) is the correct model because it delivers fully functional email applications (e.g., Microsoft 365 Exchange Online) over the internet, eliminating the need for the company to manage the underlying infrastructure, platform, or software. The cloud provider handles all maintenance, updates, and availability, making it ideal for migrating an existing email system without re-architecting the application itself.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
Why it's wrong here
IaaS provides virtual machines and storage, but the company would still need to install and manage the email server software.
- ✗
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
Why it's wrong here
PaaS is designed for developing and deploying custom applications, not for hosting a pre-built email system.
- ✓
SaaS (Software as a Service)
Why this is correct
SaaS delivers fully managed software applications, such as cloud-based email, eliminating the need for on-premises servers.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DaaS (Desktop as a Service)
Why it's wrong here
DaaS provides virtual desktops, not email services.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse PaaS with SaaS, thinking that 'platform' includes email services, but PaaS requires the customer to deploy and manage the application code, whereas SaaS provides the complete, ready-to-use application.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, SaaS email solutions like Exchange Online use multi-tenant architectures where each customer's data is logically isolated via tenant IDs and database partitioning, while the provider manages Active Directory synchronization (e.g., Azure AD Connect) and high-availability clustering. In a real-world migration, tools like the Exchange Hybrid Configuration Wizard handle coexistence and mailbox moves using MRS (Mailbox Replication Service) over HTTPS, ensuring minimal downtime. This model abstracts all layers below the application, so the customer only interacts with the email client (e.g., Outlook) and administrative portals.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — This question tests Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SaaS (Software as a Service) — SaaS (Software as a Service) is the correct model because it delivers fully functional email applications (e.g., Microsoft 365 Exchange Online) over the internet, eliminating the need for the company to manage the underlying infrastructure, platform, or software. The cloud provider handles all maintenance, updates, and availability, making it ideal for migrating an existing email system without re-architecting the application itself.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.
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