What Is Device as a Service (Daas) and How Does It Benefit Small Businesses?

Alex_Clark

Companies, small and large, have always been burdened with spinning lots of plates at the same time. As technology innovates to solve increasingly complicated problems, the amount of devices, software, and other solutions implemented and managed has also expanded. Businesses need to keep track of an overwhelming number of assets. They rely heavily on solutions that are safe, effective, efficient, and as affordable as they can get. To help with this issue, a business model has emerged in the last few years aimed at simplifying life for company stakeholders.

Understanding Device as a Service (DaaS)

Familiar with SaaS? If you understand what Software as a Service entails, then you’re not far off from understanding how devices might be positioned as a service offering by vendors. DaaS is a business model that helps alleviate the aforementioned hassle of purchasing, managing, and updating all of a company’s different devices. DaaS allows businesses to lease a collection of devices (computers or smartphones, for example) with previously configured software and applications for their staff. A lot of different devices might fit under the DaaS umbrella but the most common devices that vendors are shipping as DaaS offers include laptops, smartphones, tablets, and desktops. When you sign-up to use DaaS, you are not only receiving the hardware or device. That would make it no different from a company buying enterprise-level computers in bulk, for example.  

What makes DaaS unique is that you get all of the software and applications with updates, patches, repairs, and other ongoing management of the devices that you wouldn’t normally get after simply purchasing them.

The kind of device management available under a DaaS-style arrangement allows busy company leadership and overburdened IT departments to tie up a bunch of different loose threads under one umbrella. Now, companies have a single point of contact for what was previously a juggling act of a bunch of different vendors and departments. Many DaaS vendors operate as a monthly subscription service. A lot of companies are turning to this style of device rental for a few key reasons. It’s easier on the company and places less of a demand on an overburdened IT department. DaaS reduces the upfront cost of outfitting teams with devices. Staff now receive the highest quality care and upkeep after the point of sale.

The evolution of DaaS

How has DaaS evolved throughout the last decade? In the past, buying devices in bulk was a common strategy for companies looking to save on expenditures. As time went on, companies realized they were still spending a fortune to manage all these devices. Making sure every device was updated to the current software, free from viruses, and functioning properly took enormous resources. This is where DaaS was born. In 2020, the DaaS landscape grew exponentially. Now, most of the largest manufacturers of computers and smartphones offer DaaS.

We live in busy times. We are tasked with keeping track of more stuff than ever before. This burden extends to companies, as well. Workers face layers of complexity in dealing with technological innovations that were designed to make their jobs easier. Now, companies want to make things simpler. Devices are built with a short lifespan and rapid innovation renders devices obsolete faster than ever. With this trend, consumers need to know how to fix broken devices, keep them up to date, and uniformly install software across departments. People are working remotely now more than ever. Because of this, it's not as simple as it was before to head down to the IT department and get something fixed or updated. All of these industry shifts have made DaaS a valuable solution.

What are the benefits of DaaS?

While there are applications of this business model for big corporations, lots of small businesses are utilizing DaaS to their advantage. What are the benefits exactly? Here are some of the most important benefits that small businesses are discovering: 

• DaaS can reduce costs for customers. Similar to leasing a car, the upfront costs for entering into a DaaS kind of deal are a lot less steep. 
• Customers can find flexible and scalable solutions with many customized configurations that may work for them. While it may not be as customizable as buying a collection of devices one by one, there is still an enormous amount of adaptability available for consumers. 
• Customers can benefit from improved cybersecurity. With all the top features, automatic updates, patches, and more available to them through their vendor, consumers get the best security available. 
• With the highest quality device management straight from the device manufacturer, DaaS users will avoid downtime from security issues, updates, broken equipment, and more. This may result in increased productivity. 
• DaaS helps businesses scale at the right speed. Not every business is ready to buy dozens of laptops for their startup and renting them as an operating expense may help startups get momentum. 
• Internal IT departments are freed up to focus on other tasks since device management is no longer their responsibility. With vendors shouldering the burden of device management under DaaS, IT departments are freed up to do whatever they want to focus on.

What are the downsides of DaaS?

Are there any disadvantages to DaaS? At the end of the day, you won’t own your laptops, desktops, workstations, monitors, and whatever else you’re procuring through DaaS. A lot of businesses may find this lack of true ownership troubling. Privacy may also be a concern since you don’t own the device upon which you are working. It’s like using a work email address. It may be yours, but you don’t really own it. Many companies can easily check the contents of your work email inbox. Similarly, if you don’t own your device, the moment it changes hands back to your vendor your data is no longer private. Despite lots of customization available, not every team member or department is going to get exactly what they want. While this may not be a company drawback, it may be seen as a negative in the eyes of team members who might prefer a unique device with special software.

Many companies are doubling down on DaaS’ exciting potential, including Acer.  

No one knows for certain what sectors and industries into which this business model may extend. Additionally, the extra resources, time, and energy freed up by this business trend will spark big changes in how organizations run. But no one knows yet what that will look like. One thing is for certain though: The future of DaaS seems promising.

For more information on Acer’s Device as a Service benefits, packages, and how to connect with a consultant, visit Acer’s DaaS page here.

*The opinions reflected in this article are the sole opinions of the author and do not reflect any official positions or claims by Acer Inc.

About Alex Clark: Alex is a contributing writer for Acer. Alex is a Texas-based writer and B2B email marketing strategist specializing in helping technology brands connect to their customers. He has lived all over Asia and has consulted with business clients in numerous industries to grow their brands.