What is Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS)? Benefits, Features, Types

Desktop as a Service (DaaS) is a cloud-based solution that appeared back in the early 21st century, but nowadays is dominating the market. DaaS offers access to online computers that replace physical desktops, making it easier to collaborate and update systems without needing much investment.

In this article, we will talk about why Desktop-as-a-service can help companies make the most out of remote work while also leaving room for scalability and IT flexibility.

What is Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS)

Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) is a cloud computing solution where users have access to virtual desktops. Instead of managing physical hardware, this service gives businesses a safe virtual workspace that their team members can access from anywhere, which makes remote collaboration more manageable.

How does DaaS Work?

DaaS operates on a cloud-based platform. It essentially means that virtualization software creates various virtual desktop instances on a single physical server. When a user accesses their virtual desktop, the system uses resources from the cloud to support their session.

Regarding safety and data control, there are different protocols that encrypt data transmission between the user’s device and the virtual desktop to make sure information is safe. Additionally, user data is stored in the cloud with regular backups, and different security measures, including firewalls and multifactor authentication.

Benefits of Desktop-as-a-service

Here are 6 benefits of moving to a DaaS from a physical desktop environment.

1. Enables Remote Work

DaaS provides a consistent and secure desktop environment for your employees, ensuring they have access to all the necessary applications, files, and resources they need to do their jobs. This flexibility allows your team to maintain productivity levels of remote workers without being tied to a specific physical workspace. The remote access feature of DaaS also promotes work-life balance among your employees. They can choose to work during hours that suit them best, leading to increased job satisfaction and improved employee retention.

2. Supports BYOD

Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) allows your employees to use their personal devices for work without compromising their personal information. This service makes sure that each device meets your company’s security standards through detailed access controls, encryption, and compliance measures. Supporting BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) with DaaS can lead to increased employee satisfaction and productivity. Employees can work on devices they are familiar with, which leads to a more comfortable and efficient working experience.

3. Simplifies Desktop Management

DaaS facilitates centralized management and can be easily integrated with desktop management software, which makes updates and maintenance tasks easier. By putting desktop management under one platform, DaaS improves visibility and control over all the IT aspects you need to take care of when running your company. Time-consuming tasks such as tracking performance metrics and resource utilization become more manageable, making it easy to be one step ahead.

4. Helps Increase Security

DaaS comes with extra security features, meaning that it is a good option for industries with sensitive data such as healthcare or finance. Features like multifactor authentication and encryption help keep patient records or financial information safe from unauthorized access.

This is also a huge advantage for companies that let employees use their own devices, as DaaS makes sure these devices meet company security rules and lowers the risk of data breaches.

5. Reduces IT Costs

DaaS can also help reduce IT costs, as it essentially eliminates the need for professional, expensive hardware. This is beneficial for startups or small businesses looking to minimize upfront costs while still providing employees with access to the latest technology. For seasonal businesses, like retail stores that experience peak seasons, DaaS allows for easy scaling up or down based on demand, ensuring you only pay for the resources you require.

6. Extends the Life of Legacy Machines

With desktop-as-a-service, you can gradually migrate to a virtual desktop infrastructure without adding any extra expenses for new equipment.

This makes the transition more manageable and cost-effective, which is especially helpful for small companies with limited budgets that don’t have the resources to update their devices regularly.

Features of DaaS

Below are 4 main features offered by DaaS systems to make desktop virtualization possible.

1. Centralized Management

DaaS (Desktop as a Service) systems centralize virtual desktops, which makes administrative, daily tasks easier to manage.

Imagine a company with multiple branch offices. If they implement DaaS, the IT team can remotely run a new software update to all virtual desktops across different locations at the same time. This guarantees consistency in software versions and reduces the time and effort required for manual updates.

2. Scalability and Flexibility

DaaS can grow with your business or adapt based on how the business demand changes. If your business gets busier, you can add more virtual desktops. And when things slow down, you can reduce the number. This means you don’t have to buy new hardware every time your needs change, saving you money.

For example, retail businesses experience increased demand during the holiday season. With DaaS, they can quickly provision additional virtual desktops to handle the surge in online orders. After the holiday rush subsides, these extra resources can be scaled back, optimizing costs without compromising performance.

3. Enhanced Security

DaaS uses features like encryption and multifactor authentication to protect sensitive information from hackers and data breaches. This is a huge deal for businesses in the finance space, as they have to make sure personal information is as safe as possible.

4. Cost Efficiency

DaaS implements Pay-as-you-go or subscription-based models to reduce upfront costs. You can choose to pay only for what you use or opt for a monthly subscription, which is great for businesses with changing needs and startups that have limited budgets.

Types of DaaS Deployments

There are 4 main types of DaaS deployments.

1. Persistent Virtual Desktops

Persistent virtual desktops mimic traditional physical computers, but with a clear difference: they operate online. Each user gets a dedicated virtual machine where they can customize settings, install applications, and modify what they need to.

All changes made by the user are saved in real time to the central server using technologies like Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). Despite its appealing customization options, persistent virtual desktops require higher resource allocation, which makes it a pretty expensive option for small businesses who want an affordable DaaS solution.

2. Non-Persistent Virtual Desktops

Non-persistent virtual desktops are shared environments where multiple users access a common set of resources. They are the opposite of persistent virtual desktops. Each time a user logs in, they receive a fresh desktop instance without any previous modifications. These desktops are typically reset to a standard state after each session using technologies like linked clones or instant clones.

This approach optimizes resources, which makes it a more cost-effective and scalable DaaS option.

3. Hosted Virtual Applications

Hosted virtual applications allow users to access specific software applications hosted on remote servers. Unlike full desktop solutions, this model focuses on delivering individual applications to end-users.

Technologies like Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) or application virtualization make this possible. They let you run applications efficiently without requiring a full desktop setup. This approach is beneficial for organizations that require selective application access across various devices.

4. Hybrid Deployments

Hybrid DaaS deployments combine elements of both persistent and non-persistent virtual desktops. Organizations can offer customized desktop experiences to specific user groups, while maintaining standardized environments for others. Technologies like multi-session Windows 10 and hybrid cloud architectures achieve this flexibility.

Hybrid deployments provide a balanced approach, which leads to catering to diverse user requirements within a single infrastructure.

How to Choose the Right DaaS Providers

Below are some factors to consider while choosing a DaaS provider for your remote team.

Evaluate Your Business Requirements: When choosing the right Desktop as a Service (DaaS) provider for your business, you should start by identifying your own specific requirements. Consider how many users you will have, the applications you’ll need, your security requirements, and even the current state of your network infrastructure.

Research DaaS Providers: Once you have this in mind, it is time to research various DaaS providers and evaluate them. If you are an established company, you can start by checking out big names like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, but startups can go for smaller like Shells or V2 Cloud. Pay attention to their features, data centers locations and pricing structures to ensure they align with your business needs.

Prioritize Data Security and Compliance: Data security and compliance are two aspects that should be high on your priority list. Make sure that the provider offers robust data encryption, stringent access controls, and compliance with relevant regulations to safeguard your information.

Conduct Free Trials and Proof-of-Concepts: Before making a final decision, you can access a few free trials to evaluate how the main options in your list work in real life. This allows you to test the service firsthand, evaluate the user experience, and identify any potential issues or limitations.

Data Center Locations: It is essential to choose a DaaS provider with servers in multiple locations. Having your desktop hosted closer to your users will mean lower latency and a faster response. A virtual desktop in the same city or state as users would make them feel like they’re using a real PC and deliver a satisfying user experience.

Additional Considerations: Finally, remember to consider specific factors such as scalability, the quality of technical support provided, and how easy it is to integrate each DaaS option with your existing systems. As with any other tool, there’s no one-size-fits-all, and finding the right option for you will depend on where your business is and when you want it to go.

Why Do Businesses Need DaaS?

Unlike traditional methods that require a significant upfront investment, Desktop-as-a-Service operates on a subscription model. This eliminates the need for initial investment and becomes a cost-effective solution for those business models that don’t have a lot of resources but want high-quality results.

DaaS providers also bring specialized expertise in data management, analytics, and security, complemented by ongoing support.

DaaS Trends

A Research Nester report indicates that the Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24% during the forecast period between 2023 and 2035. This is primarily because of the increasing adoption of cloud services in developing countries: as cloud infrastructure becomes a more accessible option to implement, they require DaaS solutions to manage operations more efficiently.

Another factor that contributes to the DaaS market expansion is how fast we generate data nowadays and how this leads to an urgent demand for efficient data management solutions. DaaS offers a centralized approach to data management, meeting the needs of businesses for streamlined and effective data handling.

Difference between DaaS and VDI

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is a virtual desktop solution where companies host virtual desktop solutions using their own data center. With VDI, users can access their virtual desktops remotely, but typically within the organization’s network with the option of remote access.

Infrastructure: DaaS is a cloud-based infrastructure, provided by a third party, which means that you don’t have to worry about setting up or maintaining servers or other hardware. However, with VDI it’s the opposite: the infrastructure is located on-site, which means the organization will be responsible for managing and maintaining those servers and hardware.

Scalability: DaaS providers are cloud-based; therefore, they can quickly adjust resources to meet changes in demand, which makes it easier to scale up or down as required. VDI, on the other hand, requires a lot of additional hardware and software licenses to scale, making it more time-consuming.

Cost: DaaS operates on a subscription-based model, and you pay on a monthly or annual basis, while VDI requires upfront investment for servers, storage, and networking equipment.

Accessibility: With DaaS, users can access their desktops from any device with an internet connection, but VDI is generally limited to devices connected to the organization’s network. Although you can implement remote access solutions with VDI, it may require additional setup and configuration.

Security: In a DaaS environment, service providers take care of the required security aspects like data encryption, firewall protection, and regular backups, which is not the case for virtual desktop infrastructure. However, when using VDI you’ll need to implement and maintain measures like encryption, access controls, and threat detection on your own. But that gives you full control over the security.

What are Popular DaaS Providers?

V2 Cloud, Shells and Amazon WorkSpaces are popular DaaS provider to get cloud desktop.