Desktop as a Service — All You Need To Know
In a traditional desktop environment, the IT team of your organization needs to separately install the applications and operating system on every device being used by the team. Now, with this model and specifications, these IT admins spend additional time to install software and manage its updates, upgrades, and replacement. On top of these hectic tasks, the IT admins also need to secure user devices and eliminate the external threat.
Needless to say, this infrastructure is a poor option for a remote workforce and online users. An array of employees now work remotely to fit in their traveling schedule and fulfill other personal responsibilities. This need encourages them to connect through various mediums, such as laptops, desktops, mobiles, etc. With a traditional setup, the remote structure can’t nurture.
A strong experience is required across multiple devices to improve the performance and productivity of a remote workforce. This experience should be in-line with the work requirements and security considerations of the organization.
The solution that can help us, in this case, is Desktop as a Service. With a robust DaaS offering, you can conveniently access data on more than one device, secure your sensitive data access, and decrease expenditures.
In the following sections of the article, we have discussed everything you need to know about DaaS. Read on and start exploring.
Overview of Desktop as a Service
Desktop as a Service is a cloud offering that provides desktops and virtual apps through the internet. You can access these virtual desktops and apps from any location at any time. The service works on desktop virtualization, which can provide secure legacy and SaaS-based applications and Windows-based desktops on the cloud.
The subscription model is quite predictable for this structure in which you pay as you use. It means that if you scale, you pay more for the storage. If you decrease the storage, you pay less. It is entirely based on your usage.
An important feature that also contributes to the popularity of DaaS is the ease of managing and implementing these solutions.
Working of DaaS
When you take Desktops as a Service, you get virtual instances of desktop services and applications. It is delivered through a private or public cloud, depending upon your subscription and enterprise requirements.
Your team can access to these applications and services on the internet. Just a fast-speed internet-connection and access to a web browser allow using DaaS through a tablet, laptop, or mobile.
As already discussed, the service is subscription-based. It is a multitenant architecture, where more than one user is using this desktop.
How is that possible?
It is possible with the help of virtual machines. At the backend, virtual machines are created, which run on an operating system. All of these are hosted by a cloud provider wherein when a user purchases a subscription, the provider streams this service to the systems and devices of end-users.
The provider offering this service manages security, maintenance, upgrades, storage, and backups of this deployment. As the customer, you only need to look after the application and manage it. For this reason, DaaS is an amazing option when you are not willing to manage your own on-premise VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure).
How is DaaS related to VDI?
Ideally, VDI is installed on on-premise architecture, and DaaS is a service by a cloud provider. However, if we compare the core functionality, then DaaS is a product of VDI. It is basically a, which is hosted on the provider’s service.
Here are some advantages of DaaS-based solutions over Virtual Desktop Infrastructure:
●DaaS is simpler. You purchase a subscription and access it through your browser. You don’t need to hire 2–3 virtualization experts for this task. Your IT team is well-equipped for this activity.
●You can easily scale your requirements. It means you can deploy new desktops. There’s no requirement of making additional purchases for the in-house infrastructure.
●There are no long-term costs. You can pay as you use the service. Even that cost is based on the services you utilize.
●You can easily move towards the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. With a secure structure and hassle-free access, remote access becomes easier than ever.
Features of Desktop as a Service
Finally, let’s explore some of the amazing features of Desktop as a Service. These features can improve your productivity and performance. Check how you can benefit from these features:
1.Admin Support
●Your IT team and admins don’t have to spend a considerable amount of time installing the software on every single computer in your office. You can use DaaS and connect with the help of preconfigured VMs.
●If you select the right provider, then the provider can ensure tech and hardware used to run desktops. If this hardware is up-to-date, you can benefit from the memory resources, data center processing, and extended refresh cycles.
●Your admin team is no longer responsible for hardware management. As you don’t need additional hardware, your admins don’t have to work on upgrading, maintaining, patching, and scaling the architecture and infrastructure. They only need to contact the cloud provider for that.
●The consumption model is flexible. It means you can decide your package for cost-effective functioning. It relieves your admin from the task of reducing costs and managing resources.
2.Better User Experience
●With DaaS, your employees are able to connect from anywhere. Take the COVID-19 pandemic, for example. During this time, your employees can access desktops from anywhere with an internet connection. They can securely access data and apps.
●This data and apps are not just accessible on laptops. You can also use it on tablets, mobiles, desktops, etc.
3.Improved Security
●Security is a major concern for everyone. Fortunately, DaaS mitigates this issue to a great extent. Even when your device is stolen, you can remove access to this device, and your authentication control would do the rest. These security procedures can help in securing your data.
●If you choose the right provider, you can easily comply with the requirements of HIPAA and ISO. It is an add-on that enhances your functioning.
Conclusion
Desktop as a Service enables your team to virtually utilize storage and data. It is a solution that enables remote working and makes it easier to stay connected even when you are not in the office. The only thing that you need to keep in mind is selecting the right DaaS provider.
For instance, your provider should be experienced, they should have data centers in various geographies, and it should be easier to scale with them. If all these situations are favorable, you can achieve optimum benefits from Desktop as a Service implementation.
