A township compares renting virtual machines (IaaS), a managed application platform (PaaS), and a complete HR Software as a Service suite for the same payroll need. How should leaders choose?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Choosing cloud models is like deciding whether to cook at home, use a meal kit, or eat at a restaurant. IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS just change how much kitchen work the township keeps. Match the model to how much stack you want to run—not to a slogan that one model always wins.
Full Explanation
Leaders should choose among IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS by matching how much of the technology stack the township wants to operate versus consume as a finished application. Renting virtual machines maximizes control and administrative burden; a managed application platform reduces OS work while still hosting custom code; a complete HR SaaS suite minimizes infrastructure operations for standardized payroll. Always choosing IaaS first is wrong because payroll can run on multiple models and IaaS is not the only capable option. Always choosing SaaS first is wrong because some townships need deep customization that SaaS cannot provide, and PaaS or IaaS may be appropriate when rules are highly local. Picking randomly fails because shared responsibility and operational cost differ sharply across models. Exam caveat: Cloud+ selection questions hinge on control versus convenience—there is no single “best” model for every municipal payroll need. Operational check: before procurement, score required customization, staff skills, compliance evidence needs, and time-to-value; then document which layers the township will patch, who owns backups and IAM, and how exit or portability would work if the chosen model no longer fits.