What is a characteristic feature of Software as a Service (SaaS)?

The characteristic feature of Software as a Service (SaaS) is that it is accessible over the internet without local installations. Users can access SaaS applications through web browsers, which eliminates the need for manual installation on individual devices. This model allows for convenience and flexibility, as it enables users to work from any device with internet connectivity, promoting collaboration and easy updates.

In contrast, other options emphasize aspects that are not aligned with the SaaS model. The requirement for installation on personal devices does not reflect SaaS, as one of its core principles is that applications are hosted in the cloud. Dedicated resources for performance enhancement typically relate to Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) or Platform as a Service (PaaS), where specific hardware resources might be provisioned for enhanced performance. Lastly, the notion of explicit configuration by the user is more characteristic of traditional software installation or perhaps platform services rather than SaaS, which aims to deliver user-friendly applications with minimal setup needed.