Desktop as a service (DaaS) is a type of cloud computing where the user’s desktop operating system runs on a virtual machine (VM) hosted by a cloud provider. The desktop operating system is usually Windows or Linux and the cloud hosting can be either public, hybrid, or private.
Public clouds are operated by third parties that charge based on the amount of computing resources you use. Familiar examples are Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. When using a public cloud provider, you share the same hardware, storage, and network resources with other customers (often referred to as cloud “tenants”).
A hybrid cloud is similar except that your business can specify the architecture (hardware, software, networking) and partners with a colocation service provider to manage the data center hosting the architecture. IIS customers work with a variety of colocation providers such as Equinix and Webair. In a hybrid cloud, resources can be dedicated or shared. A hybrid cloud also provides connectivity with your public cloud and private data center (hence the term “hybrid”). A hybrid cloud solution can provide more control and better security than a public cloud, while offloading the work of managing a data center.
A private cloud is operated by your company in your data center. The hardware, software, and network hosting your systems are dedicated for your use. This option provides the most control, but also requires your staff to manage the physical infrastructure delivering the cloud resources.
With either a public or hybrid cloud implementation of DaaS, users access their desktop through an internet connection. So wherever they are - working from a home computer, traveling with a laptop, in a meeting with a tablet, or at their desk in the office - the user can access their familiar desktop with all their documents, data, and software tools. There is no need for IT to setup and maintain multiple devices for the user. End users access their desktop environment with a browser and an internet connection.
The rise of cloud computing has made Virtual Hosted Desktop possible, but there are significant organizational and economic benefits compelling more and more businesses to move end user computing to the cloud.
The Benefits of Desktop as a Service
Much of the simplification and cost benefit results from the fact that cloud desktops eliminate the need for corporate data to be stored and corporate software to be installed on end user machines. From this changed configuration, organizations derive benefits that can be grouped into six categories.
Ease of Management and Maintenance
Ease of management may be the number one benefit that IT organizations realize from desktop as a service. Dealing with software issues like operating system patches, driver updates, application installs, etc. can be very time consuming, often requiring IT staff to visit hundreds of devices. With DaaS, all users are running one of a few standard VM images stored in the cloud. So, only those few images need to be patched, have drivers updated, etc. And the maintenance work can be handled in the cloud infrastructure. There is no longer any need to visit individual desktops for many administrative tasks.
Cost Savings
Vying with ease of management for the top benefit is cost savings. First, an organization using DaaS can get by with much less expensive desktops and laptops than traditionally required. In a DaaS environment, the user’s machine only needs to run a browser or thin client to access the virtual machine over the internet. This doesn’t require large amounts of disk, RAM, or a powerful CPU. For many use cases, thin clients costing a couple hundred dollars are sufficient. These thinner endpoints use less electricity, so that save money as well. Software licensing can also be less expensive, or at least less of an upfront cost. Operating systems like Windows 10 are purchased on a subscription basis for cloud delivery, which can end of being less expensive than the traditional perpetual licenses required for each user’s personal machine.
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