Before comparing DaaS options and alternatives, let’s define the following market terms.
PC
Using physical PC desktops is the most common DaaS alternative. It’s easy and familiar but it comes with complications, inconveniences, and risks. PC storage might be ideal for personal laptops, but for larger organizations, this storage method is increasingly limiting.
Show-stoppers: Inefficient, inflexible, location-dependent, data-loss and security risks.
VPN
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide encrypted, remote internet access and storage. It’s sometimes used successfully for smaller organizations but can pose challenges, risks, and delays amidst large demand.
While VPNs are popular for securing data in transit, control access, and encryption are managed by VPN providers. This can loosen your data’s privacy/security. Additionally, if a VPN connection experiences outages, you cannot obtain or protect stored data.
With a VPN, you get encrypted cloud storage over a virtual network. However, you may lack access to file-sharing or collaboration controls while leaving your data vulnerable to exposure.
Show-stoppers: Latency, regulatory concerns, unpredictable performance, storage security risks.
On-Premises VDI
On-Premises Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (on-prem VDI), also known as self-assembled DaaS, is a traditional DaaS method. With on-prem VDI, the customer buys, assembles, hosts, and manages the vendor's cloud infrastructure. The vendor operates the selected infrastructure and provides updates.
With an on-prem VDI, you purchase the VDI infrastructure. Then, you’re responsible for hosting, maintaining, and often staffing management for everything on-site. Examples of on-prem VDI: Microsoft AVD, Amazon WorkSpaces
Show-stoppers: Overwhelming maintenance, consumes space, too much downtime, complexity, inflexibility, poor performance for remote users.
In-House VDI
In-House Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, sometimes referred to as a vendor-assembled DaaS, is a typical “DIY DaaS” solution. It gives customers control over their data and hardware, but there’s a caveat: Customers must have hard skills and in-depth VDI knowledge to manage it properly.
An in-house VDI can either be on-premises or cloud-based. In both scenarios, customers obtain the infrastructure from a vendor. The customer is then responsible for paying, integrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting the infrastructure.
With an in-house VDI, the vendor provides you with the VDI infrastructure. Then, you’re responsible for implementing and managing everything in-house. Example of in-house VDI: Nutanix Frame
Show-stoppers: Expensive hardware, frequent & costly updates, complex in-house management requirements, security risk exposure.
Managed DaaS
Managed Desktop as a Service, also called vendor-managed DaaS, is a cloud-based DaaS solution that works alongside IT teams to provide virtual desktops and management.
Example of a managed DaaS: Evolve IP
Show-stoppers: Fear of losing control, User resistance, Compatibility with select legacy apps
Status Quo
The term “status quo” implies that a customer doesn’t make a decision and instead stays with their current storage system due to fear of change, user resistance or lack of bandwidth.
Key Overview: DaaS vs VDI
While there are several similarities between DaaS and VDI, there are functionality and scalability differences.
| |
DaaS |
VDI |
| Solutions |
Cloud-based |
On-premises or cloud-based |
| Scalability |
Highly scalable |
Scalable with ample in-house management |
| Pricing Model |
Subscription (or use-based) for full-service management i.e. predictable cost model |
Upfront costs for hardware and infrastructure + ongoing management |
| Ideal client base |
Organizations that need simplicity, scalability and ability to do more with less |
Organizations that need more customization and control |
| Notable Benefits |
Centralized platform, better support, easy-to-implement, reduced vendor/administrative headaches, user experience, disaster recovery, cloud service integration etc. |
Better GPU support, More independence & custom configurations |
| Main Challenge |
User resistance, Fear of lack of control / customization |
Complex, costly & time consuming; challenging for digital employees, poor user experience |
If infrastructure, cost, security, and/or maintenance are too demanding for your team, a Managed DaaS solution will significantly improve your workflow. At Evolve IP, we help you consolidate everything and scale up or down to meet the changing needs of your organization.
