What is DaaS and how does it work
DaaS comes from the acronym in English Desktop as a Service, which translated means “Desktop as a service.” Its purpose is to provide secure access to applications and virtual desktops from the cloud to any device or location. Remote desktop virtualization can also be provided by cloud computing, similar to that offered with a software-as-a-service model. This type of approach is generally known as cloud-hosted virtual desktops.
DaaS is characterized by providing a higher level of automation, and also reduces the cost of the technology. In this sense, the DaaS provider is usually in charge of hosting and maintaining that computer, storing the data and controlling its access infrastructure. In addition, you are responsible for providing the applications and software licenses necessary to offer a desktop service for a fixed monthly fee.
Thus, Desktop as a Service providers will be responsible for carrying out maintenance, security management, updates, data backups and storage for their customers. Thus, the organizations that hire this service all they have to worry about is managing their data. This means that we will not have to worry about constant updates and complex management.
His way of working is as follows. Employees access this service through an Internet connection. They can then work using one of the following ways:
- Via a web browser based on html.
- With a downloaded application or program for your device. That equipment that we could use would be a desktop computer, a laptop, a smartphone or a tablet.
What advantages does a DaaS offer for an organization
By contracting a DaaS service through a subscription, we can have a complete IT infrastructure at our disposal. SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) are the ones that usually get the most benefits from hiring this type of service.
Some companies are often behind in modernizing their infrastructure due to a limited budget. For this reason, on many occasions they end up using outdated and complex tools and devices that slow down their work.
One of its main advantages is the low cost of equipment. In that sense, we will no longer have to invest in having an expensive server to have a cloud service that, over time, becomes outdated. The only thing we have to worry about is that employees have a computer or device to work properly. With the implementation of Desktop as a Service we are going to prevent the company from going undercapitalized, as happened in the case of the traditional purchase of equipment for which sometimes you even had to borrow. In this way, companies begin to operate in a more sustainable way.
Another very interesting aspect is that we will not have to worry about maintenance or updates. Thus, by not having to carry out these management tasks, updates, backups or security, it will cause us to have more time to work and look for innovations. Without a doubt, another of the aspects where DaaS stands out the most is the flexibility and customization that it offers us. There are times when companies have more or less demand for their products. With this type of service we have the possibility of adding or reducing resources depending on the needs of that company.
It also offers us a greater information security. Often times, companies have problems with data breaches. Sometimes it is because the devices used in the company are becoming obsolete. If we have a DaaS subscription, the responsibility for keeping your entire technology park up-to-date and protected falls to our cloud computing provider.
Remote desktop
The remote Desktop We can define it as a technology that will allow a user to work on a computer through his graphic desktop from another terminal device located elsewhere.
This term in the computer world is used to name the possibility of carrying out certain tasks on a computer without being physically in contact with that computer. This is possible thanks to a software that allows us to operate with that computer remotely.
In that sense, they are very popular because they allow you to manage and control a PC from a distance. For example, a frequently used task for is the remote assistance. Thus, thanks to remote desktops we can enter a computer and solve problems that a family member, friend or worker may have. We will do it by taking control of your keyboard, mouse and screen. However, it has a important quirk, that user continues to own control. Therefore, you can retrieve it and you can also see everything we are doing remotely.
Some examples can be TeamViewer, AnyDesk and even Windows 10 has a remote desktop option.
Differences between DaaS and remote desktop
Cloud-hosted virtual desktops can be deployed using DaaS-based systems, as well as remote desktop services that can be deployed through public, private, and hybrid cloud.
In the case of DaaS, we are going to use a public cloud. That means that we are going to share resources with other companies. Thus, we are going to use the storage and hardware in a distributed way depending on the resources that we hire. Thus, depending on the plan or subscription that we contract with our provider, we will have access to more or less resources. In addition, we will have an IT team that is responsible for installing the necessary software, that has its corresponding licenses and that will also renew the hardware when necessary.
Desktop as a Service would be the ideal product for small and medium-sized companies, since they will be able to make flexible and hire only what they need. Thus, when your business goes better or worse, or for seasonal reasons, your subscription can be adapted to your current situation.
Instead, the use of a remote Desktop the situation is different. We would already be talking about two individual teams or of a private cloud even in hybrid cloud sometimes. We find important differences, one of them is that the hardware or equipment belongs to the company. That, as a positive point, implies that we have control of the data at all times because we are the ones who store it. In addition, we control access and can withdraw it from any user whenever we want. This way of working means that we have to allocate more budget to hardware (renewal, replacement and repair) and to have a security team that keeps everything up to date. In that sense, let’s say that this can be profitable for large companies that want to have everything under control.
Finally, both DaaS and remote desktop offer us two very different possibilities of working remotely. The size of the company is usually an important factor in deciding between one or the other.
