Desktop as a Service – The 7 Undeniable Benefits and How Your Business Can Reap Them

Owing to the colossal growth in cloud computing, many businesses are racing to invest in the next cloud computing solution that can enable them to gauge considerable marketing and operational advantages over their rivals. Last year, cloud spending exceeded $100 billion, and there is no doubt that the momentum will continue due the rise of new cloud models, solutions, and trends.

The rise of hosted applications, platforms, and infrastructures has enabled businesses to benefit from considerable scalability and cost advantages. But, in order for companies to avoid playing a zero-sum game, it is essential that they keep one step ahead of their rivals and eye new cloud solutions; enter desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) network.

While DaaS may be in its infancy, the prospect of hosting fully functional desktops complete with user credentials, applications, and security features has anything but immense potential. Gartner reported a noticeable decrease in the shipment of desktop computers, which suggests that demand for hosted virtual desktops may just be about to scratch the surface. These virtual desktops will run on a third-party server and can provide businesses with a plethora of benefits. Here are 7 undeniable benefits that all businesses can achieve out of using DaaS.

High flexibility

DaaS firstly offer SMBs unparalleled flexibility and workflow agility. Businesses that require workers to work remotely and in isolation can benefit the most out of virtual desktops, owing to the ease of having access to important files and folders at all times. Workers can access files using their personal devices, such as smartphones, iPads, or laptops from the comfort of their homes or while working away from office for an extended period of time.

This also complements a business’ BYOD policy in which workers are given the allowance to work using their own devices as opposed to strictly using office computers or systems. As a result, businesses can benefit from improved business efficiency and productivity.

Office relocation convenience

The increased portability of using virtual desktops allows businesses to be absolved of any worries during relocation. Usually, the task of moving dozens or hundreds of physical desktop computers to a new location is extremely cumbersome. Specialist packers need to be hired for packing all computer related equipment and the process of running computers again to good use takes a painstaking amount of time.

Since all of the equipment is fragile, there tends to be a high risk of broken computers and equipments. Desktop monitors, for instance, can break very easily and cause companies to reinvest that can cost thousands of dollars.

With virtual desktops, however, businesses can relocate within a few hours without having to pay for packing or experiencing delays in work.

Higher workstation lifetime value

The use of virtual desktops enables businesses to increase the lifetime value of their IT network workstations. The lack of physical desktops frees up considerable amount of network server capacity, leading to low workload and higher workstation lifetime value, owing to less maintenance and downtime issues. As a result, businesses benefit from longer duration between replacement of computer and network-related hardware.

Strategy optimization

The freeing up of considerable resources being devoted to manage desktop also means that management has more resources and time to focus on areas that are of greater strategic value. This allows them to optimize their corporate and departmental strategies with greater precision and efficiency. IT resources, for example, can be better utilized in harnessing data for business insights that can provide the company to capitalize on new business opportunities and meet sales revenue and profit growth rates.

More importantly, it gives them the freedom to develop core competences through which they can command a greater competitive advantage in the industry and over their rivals. CIOs can pursue greater IT projects without fearing resource constraints.

Cost efficiencies

The lack of ownership of virtual desktops means that businesses do not have to allocate a significant portion of their budget on meeting computer-related hardware requirements. Virtual desktops can simply be deployed through the internet at a fraction of the cost. More importantly, they can also benefit from lower utility bills due to the substantially low electricity consumption, in addition to savings attributed to a lack of system upgrades that are usually very expensive to purchase.  Not to mention, maintenance and technical support service expenses are also eliminated helping businesses meet further cost savings.

Robust security

One of the reasons why organizations face increased security risks is the ease at which computers can get hacked, corrupted due to viruses and malware, and damaged due to power outages and system failures. However, DaaS offers businesses to meet their high security needs by erasing much of these risks and also offering robust security solutions. All data is stored on the cloud and user accounts are provided with robust security protocols that prevent and mitigate the ease through which cyber criminals can acquire access to sensitive corporate data and information.

This also extends to mobile devices, which is ideal for complementing BYOD policy initiatives.

Ease of deployment

While this certainly is not the last of all the benefits businesses can gain out of DaaS, utilizing virtual desktops is incredible easy and simple to use. Hosted virtual desktops reside in the cloud, and businesses can make use of it by simply logging into the cloud network.

Regardless of what the company size is, businesses can easily scale their virtual desktop usage as they grow in size. Mergers and acquisitions add to the complexity of requiring additional desktops for employees. But, through virtual desktops, overhauling entire IT infrastructure to suit new management structures and hierarchies is no longer a headache.

End note

The aforementioned advantages point to the incredible potential of DaaS’ virtual desktop cloud model in enhancing business efficiency and productivity. Small and medium-sized businesses, which are hardpressed for resources and funding, can make substantial use of DaaS in having the control to pursue strategic IT projects and secure high cost efficiencies in order to generate greater sales revenues and profits and achieve growth targets. For more information on hosted virtual desktops, please click here.