Desktop as a Service (DaaS) allows organisations to provide their employees with a virtualised desktop environment to any device, with the data and systems hosted from the cloud. This article looks at the 12 benefits of a Desktop as a Service can provide by deploying a virtual desktop infrastructure.
1. Improved accessibility
The anywhere, anytime, anyhow nature of the service allows users to access their desktops over the internet via PC, laptop, tablet and even smartphone, giving them unprecedented freedom and flexibility.
2. Reduced capital expenditure
With its classic subscription model, Desktop as a Service (DaaS) puts an end to the cycle of investment in desktop hardware, servers and licensing, with funds no longer leeching away into depreciating assets but available for more added-value initiatives.
3. Lower operating costs
DaaS removes much of the heavy housekeeping burden, enabling internal resource to be either streamlined or redeployed, while also lowering space, power and cooling requirements. Analysts estimate that adoption of a DaaS strategy can secure savings of 30-50% over a four-year timeframe.
4. Greater agility and responsiveness
The dynamic nature of DaaS, with its rapid provisioning and inherent scalabiity, plus its affordable Opex model, is a good fit for organisations needing to expand quickly or wanting to respond to opportunity, both in terms of bringing hosted desktops online or pushing new applications across a hosted desktop estate.
5. Enhanced security with desktop as a service
Critically DaaS shifts the security burden away from the individual device and places it within a data centre infrastructure that is geared up for the highest levels of protection. Data is no longer vulnerable on a local device but held – and regularly backed up – in a secure hosted environment; it is also encrypted and can be made accessible only through multi-factor authentication protocols.
6. Tighter alignment with business needs
Companies often scale up to meet peak resource needs but when those needs fall back, they find themselves over-provisioned, which is inherently wasteful. DaaS can scale and flex as actual needs dictate, ensuring you are only ever paying for what you use. Role-based desktops can deliver an extra degree of alignment and cost-effectiveness.
7.Heightened resilience and reliability
With desktops served up by solution providers typically quoting 99.99% uptime levels, based on a compelling mix of high-grade infrastructure, security and support, users can rely on consistent access and performance.
8. Improved business continuity
The ubiquitous availability of a desktop coupled with the centralised backup of data makes DaaS an attractive alternative to the traditional disaster recovery option of a stand-by secondary site. It also addresses the increasing issue of weather/travel-related interruptions to Business as Usual, with workers able to work as normal from a remote or home location.
9. Greater budget predictability
Fixed, monthly pay-as-you-go pricing gives you cost certainty and simplifies budget planning and forecasting. This can positively impact on cash flow and aid strategic planning.
10. Better consistency and future-proofing
Staff across an organisation benefit from a common core desktop build (while still allowing for customisation), the same versions of applications, regular refresh, and continuous back-end investment, combining to deliver a unified and uniform environment and optimum user experience.
11. Increased productivity
Research indicates that Cloud-based desktop solutions can boost productivity by up to 20%. That is attributable to improved uptime levels, better performance and more opportunities for collaboration; but also the ability to work from anywhere, with hours lost from travelling or internal distractions able to be redirected back into work effort.
12. Better green profile
A reduced need for new equipment, lower energy requirements, extended PC life, more flexible working, these can all help shrink a company’s carbon footprint and address environmental targets.
For information on Redcentric’s DaaS, click here.
