In which cloud service model does the provider handle everything including the application?

In the Software as a Service (SaaS) model, the cloud service provider takes responsibility for everything related to the application. This includes not only hosting the software but also managing the underlying infrastructure, security, and all associated software updates and maintenance. Users access the application through the internet, typically via a web browser, without needing to handle installation or management of the software themselves.

This model allows businesses to minimize the complexities related to software deployment and maintenance, enabling them to focus on using the software for their operations rather than managing it. Examples of SaaS include applications like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Salesforce, where users can utilize robust software solutions without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.

In contrast, in the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) model, users are involved in managing the operating systems, applications, and middleware, while the provider supplies the virtualized hardware resources. In Platform as a Service (PaaS), users manage applications and data while the provider takes care of the operating system, middleware, and runtime. ZaaS, which stands for “Anything as a Service,” is a concept that does not refer to a specific model like the others but rather suggests a range of service offerings not designed specifically for application management.