Automated software updates represent a key manageability benefit of cloud services, as they reduce the effort required by IT staff to keep systems up-to-date and secure. Automated scaling, while a benefit of cloud computing, pertains to scalability rather than manageability and would not be the best answer. On-premises data control is not a cloud feature but rather a characteristic of traditional IT environments, making it an incorrect choice. Lastly, reduced hardware costs is more closely related to cost-saving benefits, not specifically manageability.