The usage of DaaS services has grown manifold. This is evident by the fact that multiple industries are investing in new technologies and have now migrated from conventional desktop systems to DaaS. But before you avail of a DaaS solution, it is crucial to understand a few fundamental concepts.
Did you know that DaaS is estimated to bring in 10.3 billion USD by 2023?
Many users do not usually know the details about a DaaS provider and a DaaS platform. A DaaS platform is the medium for you to use your virtual desktops. A DaaS provider is one that offers you DaaS services.
Here, have a more detailed comparison between the two with an overview of their different aspects as well:
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What is Desktop as a Service (DaaS)?
Desktop as a Service (DaaS) is a cloud-based solution that provides virtual desktops to end-users over the internet. With DaaS, organizations can outsource the management and infrastructure required to deliver virtual desktops to a third-party service provider.
Instead of deploying and maintaining their own physical desktop infrastructure, businesses can leverage DaaS to access virtual desktop environments hosted in the cloud. Users can connect to these virtual desktops from any device with an internet connection, enabling flexibility and remote accessibility.
DaaS offers scalability, as businesses can easily add or remove virtual desktops based on their needs. It also relieves organizations of the burden of hardware procurement, software updates, and security management. By adopting DaaS, businesses can streamline their IT operations, enhance security, and provide a consistent user experience across various devices and locations.
Comparison Between DaaS Provider and DaaS Platform
A DaaS platform is the elementary unit of any DaaS solution. It is responsible for tying the hardware and software components together and carrying out different backend and front-end operations like setup, storage, billing, image management, etc. Essentially, it is the DaaS platform that brings DaaS services into existence.
On the other hand, a DaaS provider acts as the connecting point between a DaaS platform and end-users. While some DaaS providers don’t own a DaaS platform but broker its services from a vendor (such as Citrix), some are both the provider and vendor (such as AWS). So, while the DaaS platform is essential to avail of DaaS services, the DaaS provider brings them to your fingertips.
Also Read: Unlock the Best DaaS Pricing for Your Business
How To Choose The Right DaaS Provider
1. Uptime
Uptime is one of the most important factors that you must look for in your Desktop as a service provider. Anything below 99.95% of uptime is unacceptable and you should look for providers that offer even better uptime (like 99.99% uptime).
2. End-User documentation
Before you choose a Desktop as a Service (DaaS) provider, make sure you thoroughly verify the Service Level Agreement (SLA). The SLA contains essential details about uptime availability, service range, desktop pricing, and other terms & conditions.
3. Scalability
An ideal DaaS provider must offer rapid scalability. Their scale-up must align with your operational requirements with the same degree of system performance across the entire desktop infrastructure.
4. BCDR support
Check with your cloud desktop provider to know their data backup frequency and data storage capabilities. In case of any disaster, you must be able to access your data without facing any prolonged downtime periods.
5. Security
Data security is something on which you should never compromise. Ensure that your DaaS service provider has multiple security levels with the latest available anti-hacking measures like multiple firewalls, intrusion detection systems, data encryption, the latest antivirus, etc.
6. Service trial
Getting a service trial is one of the best ways to choose a DaaS provider when you find a potential provider. It allows you to experience their services and make a more accurate assessment of your vendor’s capabilities before signing the SLA.
Benefits of the Desktop as a Service (DaaS) Platform
1. Remote accessibility
One of the greatest features of DaaS is its remote accessibility. While a traditional desktop is only locally accessible and cannot be accessed outside the premises, virtual desktops can be accessed anywhere, anytime, using an internet connection. This way, you can use any other thin client device like a smartphone, tablet, or another desktop and easily access your desired system configurations remotely.
2. Hardware independence
With a traditional desktop, all your data and applications are stored locally. So, if a malfunction causes your system to stop, you may permanently lose access to everything. However, a DaaS solution is inherently device-independent as it can be accessed from any device, anytime. All you need is the necessary user authorization, and you can access your remote desktop and continue your business operations.
3. Infrastructure management
In a DaaS solution, all the infrastructural-related setup and subsequent management are provided by your service provider. They are responsible for setting up the necessary hardware and software components and maintaining them on their server. Ultimately, all you need is to manage the end-point devices, which can be further simplified by BYOD implementation.
4. Economical solution
Setting up a conventional desktop environment calls for significant capital expenditure. You need to procure the necessary components, applications, and software and hire IT professionals to deploy them. Also, even if you somehow overcome the initial setup costs, what about regular maintenance?
With a DaaS solution, you don’t need to set up your IT infrastructure and manage it. All you need is to pay an economical monthly subscription fee that is available as a pay-per-use.
Recommended Read: Benefits of DaaS: Why are Managed Desktop as a service Solutions Dominating the SME Market in 2023?
Use-Cases of Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
1. Healthcare
With DaaS, doctors and nurses can use any device and access their patients’ data in real-time. Also, everything is stored on a HIPAA-compliant DaaS platform which further assures data safety and privacy.
2. Accounting
Accountants require powerful computational resources for doing data-extensive calculations and analysis. A reputed DaaS provider deploys high-performance computing servers that provide optimum performance and can easily withstand the required computational load.
3. BPOs
Most BPOs rely on hiring remote workers for outsourcing their business operations. A DaaS platform provides an ideal solution with remote accessibility and can also be readily scaled up or down to meet the necessary operational demands.
4. Software development
Software developers need to switch between multiple OS for running and testing their applications/software. With DaaS, users can use distinct virtual desktops with the necessary OS and efficiently write and test their code without maintaining multiple devices or multiple OS on the same machine.
Also Read: Industries Adopting DaaS
Conclusion
DaaS is gaining popularity across multiple industries these days with its unique offerings. The points mentioned above aim to highlight the details of a DaaS platform and a DaaS provider. Also, if you choose the right DaaS provider that offers an optimum DaaS platform, it will help you grow your business productivity and achieve greater heights.
Want to try DaaS for your business? Talk to our Solutions Consultant at +1-866-352-4909.
Recommended Reading:
Comparison between DaaS vs VDI
What is Desktop Virtualization
Desktop As a Service Pricing: Comparing DaaS Cost
Top 10 Use Cases for Desktop as a Service
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) vs. Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS)
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