Summary:
Desktop as a Service (DaaS) delivers virtual desktops over the internet from a cloud provider, letting organizations pay only for resources used instead of purchasing hardware upfront, while providers handle maintenance, updates, backups, and security. The article outlines six benefits: supporting remote work and BYOD, simplifying desktop management, increasing security by keeping data in provider datacenters rather than on devices, reducing IT costs via pay-as-you-go pricing, and extending legacy hardware life by running newer operating systems virtually.
| What You'll Learn |
- What Desktop as a Service (DaaS) is and how it differs from on-premises desktop infrastructure
- Six specific benefits DaaS offers, from remote work support to legacy hardware extension
- Why data security improves when desktops live in a provider's datacenter rather than on local devices
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| Next Steps |
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| Benefits for MSPs |
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Scope and Limitation Statement
This article explains the DaaS concept and its general benefits versus on-premises desktop infrastructure. It doesn't recommend a specific DaaS provider or product.
Versioned Specifics
- Article originally published: November 23, 2022
- Category: Microsoft 365, Intune
- Relevant inforcer solution: 365 Manager
What is desktop as a service (DaaS)?
DaaS is a high-performing, secure, cost-effective type of desktop virtualization. DaaS frees businesses from tethering their computer operating systems and productivity software to any physical hardware. Instead, businesses can use DaaS to access virtual desktops over the internet from a cloud provider. Cloud providers that offer this service distribute and manage virtual desktops from their own data centers.
DaaS vs. on-premises
DaaS solutions differ from on-premises software in a number of ways, most notably:
Pricing
With DaaS, companies can avoid making advance purchases of hardware that they anticipate their employees needing, such as expensive desktops and laptops. Instead, companies pay cloud providers only for the data, resources, and services that they use.
Scalability
Cloud providers offer companies the freedom to use any amount of desktops on a fluctuating basis. This gives companies instant access to the precise number of desktops they need, whenever and wherever they need them.
Management
Cloud providers offering DaaS conduct maintenance, data storage, updates, backup, and other desktop management for companies that outsource these solutions. DaaS providers often manage their customers’ desktops, applications, and security as well.
What are the benefits of DaaS?
The financial, performance, and administrative benefits of using DaaS are numerous. Let’s look at some of the biggest reasons businesses use this type of desktop virtualization.
Enables remote work
The rise of hybrid and remote workplaces calls for a different approach to accessing applications and data. With DaaS, IT teams can easily move data between different platforms and users can easily access the data they need from multiple machines, no matter where they work.
Supports BYOD
Besides freeing employees from physical offices, DaaS can free employees from solely working on company-issued devices or with one particular device. With DaaS, IT teams can more easily support bring your own device, or BYOD, policies that let employees work on their own phones, tablets, and laptops.
Simplifies desktop management.
For IT teams, outsourcing the deployment, configuration, and management of virtual desktops helps reduce the administrative load. The ability to quickly scale up or down the use of desktops, applications, and data based on user need also helps to ease IT duties.
Helps increase security
DaaS poses fewer security risks because the data resides in the cloud provider’s datacenter, not on the laptops, tablets, and phones that employees use. If a computer or device is lost or stolen, it can easily be disconnected from the cloud service.
Reduces IT costs.
DaaS solutions save businesses money by shifting IT costs from traditional on-premises hardware and software purchased up front and in bulk to cloud-based services and desktops purchased as needed. DaaS can run on devices that require far less computing power than a standard laptop or desktop machine, which helps companies save money. Allowing employees to use their own devices also helps save on hardware costs, as does reducing the workload of IT teams.
Extends the life of legacy machines.
Companies that lack the immediate funds to upgrade all of their outdated machines can use DaaS to install a newer operating system on them. Serving the newer operating system from the cloud is a more affordable prospect than replacing an entire fleet of on-premises equipment all at once.
Scaling Your DaaS Practice with Multi-Tenant Management
For MSPs, delivering Desktop as a Service (DaaS) presents a significant revenue opportunity but can also come with substantial operational overhead when managing security profiles for multiple clients. Specialized multi-tenant management platforms like 365 Manager by inforcer enable MSPs to centralize policy deployment across all customer environments, reducing manual configuration errors and significantly accelerating onboarding.
By adopting automated governance, MSPs can standardize security baselines and improve technician efficiency, allowing for scalable DaaS delivery. Learn more about automating your DaaS practice with inforcer and book a demo today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DaaS pricing more or less expensive than on-premises desktop infrastructure?
Typically less expensive. With DaaS, businesses pay only for the resources they actually use rather than purchasing hardware upfront, shifting desktop costs from a capital expense to an operational, pay-as-you-go expense.
Does DaaS improve security compared to on-premises desktops?
Yes. Because desktop data resides in the provider's datacenter rather than on individual devices, a lost or stolen device is less of a data exposure risk, and it can simply be disconnected from access.
Can DaaS help extend the life of older hardware?
Yes — because the actual desktop processing happens in the cloud, DaaS allows organizations to run newer operating systems on older, lower-powered devices that couldn't otherwise support them.
Does DaaS support remote work and BYOD?
Yes — DaaS helps enable data access across multiple platforms and locations for remote work, and supports BYOD policies by letting employees securely access virtual desktops from personal devices.
