Which of the following services does SaaS include?

SaaS, or Software as a Service, encompasses a model where applications are delivered over the internet on a subscription basis. This services model includes not just the software application itself, but also the hosting environment, which is typically managed by the service provider. By providing a complete application and hosting, SaaS allows users to access software without the need for installation or maintenance of hardware and software infrastructure on their own premises.

Users benefit from this model as it reduces operational complexity; they can use the application from anywhere with internet access, and they do not have to worry about updates, scalability, or server management—those responsibilities fall to the service provider. This seamless user experience is a core advantage of SaaS offerings, making it an attractive option for many organizations.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of IT provisioning. For example, merely considering hardware infrastructure does not encompass the broader scope of services provided by SaaS applications. Similarly, options referring to virtual machines, operating systems, or cloud storage and management relate more closely to IaaS or generalized cloud services rather than capturing the essence of SaaS, which is fundamentally about delivering complete applications directly to end users.