Although Desktop as a Service (DaaS) has been a relatively obscure solution in recent years, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic could turn things around. Both VPN and DaaS usage surged during the crisis, as many organizations started to migrate from the traditional desktop deployment model to more suitable solutions for remote workers. Here are the top pros and cons of using DaaS in your organization.
Understanding DaaS—A Robust Solution for Many Businesses
Desktop as a service refers to a cloud service that hosts virtual instances of a desktop operating system that users can access remotely. The desktops run in virtual machines hosted on computing, storage, and network infrastructure managed by the cloud provider. Users can access their desktop environment from a wide variety of devices, including PCs, laptops, tablets, and some smartphones.
In contrast to the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure model, which is typically managed by the organization’s IT team, the DaaS model puts the computing, storage, and network infrastructure under the care of a cloud provider.
“The organization providing desktops to its employees can manage the desktop operating system, applications, anti-virus software, and any other desktop-related tasks—or work with a third-party managed desktop service provider”, explaines IBM in a blog post.
The Pros of DaaS
By delivering virtual desktops from the cloud, a company can enhance user productivity, improve security, and keep costs under control. Here are the key benefits of DaaS:
Enhanced remote and mobile productivity. Teleworkers can securely access their applications, files, or desktop preferences from a wide variety of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and even some smartphones.
Security and Reliability. A DaaS setup lets IT managers deploy strong security measures while reducing maintenance costs by having only one central point that needs maintenance. Moreover, sensitive data is less likely to be compromised in case an employee’s device is stolen or lost.
No more hardware management. IT administrators no longer have to worry about acquiring a workstation for every new employee, replacing failed hard drives, and so on. A top DaaS provider takes care of that work for you.
Remote troubleshooting. Another key advantage in choosing a DaaS solution is the ability to troubleshoot desktop issues remotely, instead of having to go on-site to provide user support.
Flexible consumption model. The pay-as-you-go or annual subscription models allow IT teams to scale the solution up and down as needed, making the overall cost more predictable. With traditional VDI, IT managers often overprovision the deployment to accommodate evolving workloads.
Simplifying compliance. Forget about data center certifications. Choosing the right DaaS provider means you can store your applications and data in an ISO and HIPAA compliant data center.
The Cons of DaaS
Keep in mind that DaaS is no silver bullet and the desktop in the cloud model comes with some drawbacks.
Employees need a fast connection. A DaaS solution may not be perfect for all work-from-home scenarios. Although this is unlikely in 2020, managers should consider that not all employees have reliable and fast home internet connections.
Single point of failure. Businesses must place an enormous amount of trust in the cloud. In the unlikely scenario when your Desktop-in-cloud server or provider goes down or becomes compromised, every single employee in your organization can be down or compromised.
IT teams might lack DaaS experience. Even under the current circumstances, DaaS is not the type of solution that many corporate IT teams are well acquainted with and eager to start deploying. Understanding integration and interoperability can be challenging even for the most experienced technicians.
The total cost of ownership. Besides the annual pricing plan, desktops in the cloud require users to have valid licenses for the operating systems that power their virtual devices. Most modern DaaS services include licensing into the DaaS fee structure or allow users to bring their own licenses. Either way, you still end up paying licensing fees. It’s worth noting that Microsoft has lately been easing restrictions on the licensing virtualized version of the Windows desktop.
Choosing the Right DaaS Provider
With numerous DaaS providers on the market, choosing the right one for your business may be difficult. The best providers offer numerous features for performance, application deployment, security, and reliability, as well as administration and support. There are three main criteria you should consider.
Since setting up and managing this kind of system can be a complex operation, always be sure your provider has significant experience and expertise in DaaS. In order to achieve your required level of performance, consider working with a provider that offers dedicated hosting options.
Another criterion related to performance is the physical location of data centers. Ideally, you should choose the provider with data centers close to your users, to minimize network lag.
Last but not least, decision-makers should consider working with a provider that offers flexibility and scalability. Keep an eye on the possibility of scaling up and down as your needs evolve. Also, the right DaaS provider will deliver a personalized deployment plan.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, DaaS is looking more and more attractive to many companies. Although there are still many drawbacks to the DaaS model, for some organizations implementing a DaaS system can result in greater flexibility, ease of administration, and reduced costs.
