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While Desktop as a Service (DaaS) rose in popularity pre-2020, the sudden pivot to remote work sharply increased demand. Organizations quickly plunged into remote work and experienced the benefits of DaaS solutions, including flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
This nearly overnight shift requiring new technology is a textbook example of an impending event that drives technology adoption. Unfortunately, impending events such as new data regulations or technology being retired force the issue.
Often, these impending events create a sense of urgency to make tech decisions, often on tight deadlines or budgets. This reactive approach often puts a bandaid on a bigger problem and makes it challenging for companies to ensure their IT spending aligns with overall business goals.
A recent Gartner report found that in the U.S., by the end of 2023, 51% of knowledge workers will be working hybrid. As companies continue to implement technology to support truly hybrid work, DaaS is the perfect example of a technology that should be implemented strategically and proactively to maximize business results.
We asked our partner EvolveIP for specific examples of how Desktop as a Service helps future-proof your IT infrastructure and company ahead of the next impending event. Here’s what they had to share.
#1: Security
One of the biggest concerns with the shift to remote work, and now hybrid work, is security, particularly regarding VPN access. With DaaS, data never leaves the data center, meaning that even if the company laptop is lost/stolen/compromised, the company’s data remains secure.
Plus, DaaS makes implementing additional security features such as MFA, Zero Trust network architecture, and SASE easy. Changes only need to be made to the central server for everyone to benefit.
To ensure data meets required regulatory standards, many DaaS solutions are audited for compliance with HIPAA/HITRUST, PCI, and SOC2.
#2: Mobility
Pre-pandemic, only a portion of your workforce may have needed mobile access to the network. Now, most of your team needs to be able to work from anywhere with a cohesive user experience.
Whether in the office, at home, or on the road, DaaS enables your employees to take their communication and collaboration tools anywhere and use them on any device.
Real-time audio and video allow employees to run MS Teams, Zoom, Google Meetings, and various other tools on the DaaS desktop. This means that all their work is done in one centralized place that the company manages from a secure location.
#3: Productivity and Performance
With DaaS, the dreaded VPN slowdown will be a thing of the past when they connect to their virtual desktop.
When you can better control where data and applications are stored, you can better control performance. Ultimately this leads to a boost in productivity as your team isn’t wasting time managing applications or dealing with tech issues.
Additionally, Desktop as a Service enables you to deliver enhanced IT support. When (not if) something goes wrong, it’s easier to manage on a central server, as patches can be quickly applied, and applications can be distributed. If a DaaS desktop is non-functional, IT can simply start fresh with a new image in minutes – rather than trying to rebuild the OS on a physical device. This creates efficiencies and frees up your IT team to focus on more urgent business priorities.
#4: Logistics
DaaS simplifies procuring, provisioning and providing equipment, which continuously strains IT resources. Providing virtual desktops as a service eliminates many of these problems.
With DaaS, companies can deploy commodity laptops without needing to worry about standardizing hardware. For organizations with a BYOD device policy, virtual desktop, can be deployed within minutes at the press of a button, and there’s no need to wait on a laptop or desktop. Users can be provided with a URL and instructions and get to work immediately.
In addition, the process of offboarding employees is easier than ever. There’s no need to secure laptops or computers when your workforce has been operating on DaaS. You know that company information is secured as it has never left your centralized server.
Desktop as a Service: Future Proof Your Business
DaaS is one of the most critical technologies for enabling hybrid work, yet many organizations have yet to fully embrace its potential.
Instead of waiting for another impending event, companies of all sizes can proactively embrace DaaS today to harness its full potential.
Learn more about how Bridgepointe can help you future-proof your business from the next impending event.