Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) is a subtype of virtual desktop infrastructure that is growing in popularity, especially with the rise in remote work. According to a Business Research Insights study, the DaaS market size was $4.5213 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach over $9.8 billion by 2028.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) like yours can benefit greatly from partnering with a DaaS provider. But before you jump on the DaaS bandwagon, you need to understand exactly what DaaS is, why you should use it, and how to pick the right DaaS provider for your business.
What is DaaS?
DaaS provides users with virtual desktops, which are cloud-hosted interfaces for operating systems and applications that are independent of the device being used. Businesses that subscribe to DaaS providers like Liberty Center One no longer have to invest in, maintain, and upgrade their own physical IT infrastructure. Instead, they can leverage the provider’s cloud-based resources to access and manage virtual desktops for their employees.
Benefits of DaaS
There are many reasons for SMBs like yours to adopt DaaS, including:
- Accessibility: With DaaS, your team members can access their virtual workstation and data on any suitable device, from anywhere and at any time.
- Capital savings: A DaaS provider takes on the financial burden of hardware and software procurement and maintenance, as well as the recruitment and training of IT specialists.
- Flexibility: With DaaS, the resources you need are provisioned and managed by the service provider. This makes it easy for you to add or remove users, storage, and other resources to accommodate business growth or fluctuations in the market.
What should you consider when choosing a DaaS provider?
If you’re thinking about partnering with a DaaS provider, you should consider the following factors to ensure you make the right choice for your business.
Infrastructure quality
A smooth user experience relies on the specialized underlying infrastructure that supports the virtual desktops. So when evaluating DaaS providers, pay close attention to such elements as:
- Network architecture: Good network design and structure ensures seamless transitions between primary and backup systems for minimal downtime.
- Storage setup: Choose a provider with robust solid-state storage for optimal performance.
- Resource management: Opt for providers offering dedicated resources for each virtual desktop to guarantee a reliable user experience.
Features offered
DaaS providers offer a range of features to cater to diverse business needs. Carefully evaluate each provider’s offerings to ensure they align with your business’s specific requirements. Among the key features you should inquire about are:
- Security: Look into the provider’s security measures, including firewalls, authentication tools, and encryption. Discuss backup and recovery protocols for addressing a security breach.
- Uptime value: Inquire about the provider’s uptime guarantees, which are typically outlined in their service level agreement. A high uptime ensures consistent access to virtual desktops for your employees, minimizing downtime and productivity losses.
- Business continuity and disaster recovery: Ensure the provider has a solid plan to maintain desktop availability, even in the face of unforeseen events, such as a fire, flood, or cyberattack. This plan should include data replication, failover mechanisms, and regular testing to ensure its effectiveness.
- Regulation compliance: If your business must adhere to specific compliance standards, such as PCI DSS or HIPAA, seek a DaaS provider specialized to meet these standards.
Costs
While DaaS solutions can reduce the burden on your IT department, it’s essential to understand the complete cost structure. In addition to the monthly subscription price, consider other factors such as networking and potential usage-based fees. Look for a solution that allows flexible scaling to accommodate your evolving needs.
Support
DaaS support ensures your business runs smoothly through either proactive maintenance or speedy and effective issue resolution. Assess how well a potential provider delivers the following:
- Security updates and patches: A good DaaS provider maintains timely and consistent updates to security software and protocols to keep up with advances in cyberthreats.
- Troubleshooting and change management: DaaS providers need to resolve issues and implement upgrades quickly and reliably to minimize downtime.
- 24/7 monitoring and support: Make sure the DaaS provider offers around-the-clock support to maintain a consistent user experience.
Evaluate potential DaaS providers using the above criteria to make an informed decision. Consult with one of Liberty Center One’s specialists about our comprehensive DaaS solutions to discover how these can benefit your business. Call us or leave a message.