Are you struggling to choose between DaaS, WaaS, and VDI as a Service?
Since the starting of 2020, we have experienced a massive transformation and evolution in our technology usage. Earlier, very few of us relied on online apps for grocery shopping, but now we do it more frequently. Similarly, we were more reliant on office infrastructure for daily tasks, but this has changed today.
Did you know that 87% of leaders believe digital transformation is a priority for businesses?
To accommodate the new conditions, we need to adopt technology that supports remote working and seamless operations. VDI as a Service, Workspace as a Service, and Desktop as a Service are all a part of this new technology.
This post will discuss differences between VDI as a Service, WaaS services, and DaaS:
What Is VDI as a Service?
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is an architectural setup that allows businesses to make virtual desktops via an on-premise server. These virtual desktops are precisely like your tangible computer or office PC units. The difference is that you are using a virtual copy, secure, flexible, mobile, and scalable. However, you need the help of your IT team to set up VDI in-house.
VDI as a Service is a service offered by a DaaS service provider. They are hosted and set up on the cloud server for your business, and you can access desktops via an internet connection. It is a subscription-based model, where you need to pay a fixed monthly charge.
What is Desktop as a Service?
Desktop as a Service is the same as the VDI as a Service. Here, desktops are hosted on the cloud server in place of on-premise data centers. Your IT team is not responsible for managing the environment, and the VDI service provider completely maintains the back-end (which is nothing but VDI). From load balancing to infrastructure setup, DaaS is a fully managed server.
What is Workspace as a Service?
Workspace as a Service provides every necessary office infrastructure element on the cloud. This means that your desktops to printers, scanners, and every other tangible hardware unit is virtualized. Think about it in this way, similar to how you create a workspace with various technology pieces and hardware setups, WaaS services offer the same on the cloud.
Hence, everything you have in the office necessary for your business is moved to the cloud for remote access.
Here, DaaS is a part of the WaaS service. This means DaaS and VDI as a Service only provide desktop virtualization; WaaS services offer every device, data, and application via the cloud.
Comparing DaaS, WaaS, VDI as a Service
What technology do you need in your office: DaaS, VDI as a Service, or WaaS services?
DaaS and VDI as a Service are the same technology with different names, so we are going to map the difference in VDI as a Service/DaaS and WaaS services:
1. Managed Devices
Desktop as a Service and VDI as a Service both are managed on the cloud. This means you don’t have to worry about the failed hard drive or configuration issues. You can upgrade your virtual devices as and when needed by the business.
Workspace as a Service is a technology that virtualizes your entire workspace. As a result, you don’t need to worry about anything. When you need to scale, you scale; when you have changed configuration, contact the WaaS or DaaS service provider. From desktop virtualization to advanced security management, WaaS provider ensures the virtualization of every feature essential to the business.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
DaaS and VDI as a Service are cost-effective because of the following:
- There are no upfront infrastructure costs. The best devices to use are the ones you already have.
- You can scale and descale your resources according to your requirement, so better cost optimization.
- Use PCs for the long term since you can keep upgrading virtual desktops’ configuration to keep the business functioning.
- Reduce your spending on security, encryption, scalability, and other challenges faced in-house.
WaaS is more cost-effective than DaaS because you can scale and manage many more workspace elements virtually. Hence, more significant savings. You don’t need to spend on the security of these devices or upgrade these devices too often.
3. Remote Access
Every solution on our list offers remote access to your employees. Therefore, at this end, there’s no difference. However, here’s what you should know:
WaaS services and VDI as service setups are unlike traditional systems. You have all your data on the cloud server, which the VDI service provider remotely manages. Your employees can access data from any location anytime and on any device.
For example, a sales employee who needs to commute more can access data from their smartphones or tablets. It becomes a lot easier for employees to evaluate data, use business-critical apps, and maintain productivity.
4. Security
Data security for the WaaS services as well as DaaS is the same on the cloud. The DaaS service provider helps you manage your applications, data, desktops, and other devices without encountering data breaches and data threats.
There are many reasons for a cyberthreat, such as employee negligence, data leak, intrusion, etc. DaaS and WaaS help eliminate most of these issues.
The reason is that DaaS and WaaS create a virtual image of your workspace. Your employees access just a virtual copy of the data. These desktops or data are not really on the host computer or end device. So, when the endpoint is attacked, our data and apps are safe. However, this is true given that we properly educate employees to inform the IT team on time.
Some security benefits of the cloud:
- Multi-factor authentication and identity recognition.
- Internal access control via software firewalls.
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention to monitor infection.
- Data encryption to safely transmit and save data on the server.
- Other controls, such as OS patching, antivirus support, etc.
Conclusion
WaaS, DaaS, and VDI as a Service are beneficial for organizations working remotely. Depending on your requirements and office needs, you can select the solution that offers value to your organization. For instance, if you only need desktops to work remotely, you can choose VDI as a Service and DaaS offerings. However, when you need to communicate via other devices and set up an entire remote workspace, WaaS may be a good option for you. Check the differences and find the right provider for your business.