DaaS or SaaS: Which is Right For My Business?

By now, you've probably heard of Desktop as a Service (DaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS). DaaS and other cloud-based services, like SaaS, have revolutionized the workplace in the digital age. Thanks to the cloud, DaaS allows businesses of all sizes to exploit many of the same resources that only larger organizations could use previously – without the being tied to an on-premise desktop or the huge headache of infrastructure and IT costs. This allows CEOs, CIOs and IT employees to spend less time worrying about infrastructure, and more time where it counts: growing and maintaining a rock-solid company.

DaaS vs. SaaS

So, what’s your next move for your business? Before we dive in there, let’s explore exactly what DaaS and SaaS are, as well as the differences between the two.

What is DaaS?

At its heart, DaaS is a subscription service that provides businesses with virtual desktops or RDP (remote desktop protocol – which is what we implement at Summit Hosting). Authorized users can access their own applications and files anywhere and at any time. Practically any application you already use or are considering using can be integrated into a DaaS model. You can even decide whether to migrate some or all of the applications you use to the cloud. DaaS gives you any level of flexibility your small, medium or enterprise-level business needs while still allowing you to maintain control of your data and desktop.

The cool part about this? A lot of applications in the cloud just don’t have the same capabilities as their desktop counterparts. And, DaaS allows businesses to maintain all of the same functionality provided by the software without sacrificing control over any of their data. Nor does the business have to host the applications or maintain complex infrastructure.

What is SaaS?

SaaS is essentially a cloud-based version of a single piece of software (or a software package) that is delivered to end users via the Internet. The end user does not own the application, and it is not stored on the end user’s device. Instead, the end user accesses the application as a subscription model and generally pays for licenses based on the number of users that need to use the application.

SaaS is easy to manage and use so long as you have an internet connection and a device with enough RAM to run the program. The other benefit is that end users do not have to worry about updating or upgrading their programs to newer versions as this is handled by the cloud hosting service provider.

Should I Use DaaS or SaaS?

So, now you're probably wondering: should your company use DaaS or SaaS? The better question is, why not use both? It’s true that cloud-based SaaS software offers businesses the flexibility to use their applications without having to host the applications, but DaaS also provides a host of other benefits. The truth is, most businesses need a hybrid solution that leverages the capabilities of both DaaS and SaaS. Using both services enables them to access the functionality they need to be effective while maintaining the seamlessness and security of having all their business applications on one dashboard with single-sign on, provisioning and employee auditing capabilities.

Here are some additional benefits of using both DaaS and SaaS:

• 1. Getting the best of both worlds: While SaaS provides reliable cloud versions of applications, DaaS delivers the full client application experience. Users sacrifice none of the features or functionality of their software for the flexibility provided by the virtual desktop, especially when the cloud hosting provider offers dedicated servers for cloud hosting.
• 2. Available applications: There are a lot of SaaS applications on the market. DaaS add another layer to the solution by allowing users to integrate over 1,000 software applications into a virtual desktop.
• 3. Better interoperability: SaaS applications can be integrated and used in conjunction with one another, but it’s often hard to get them to integrate and work together because of where they are hosted and how they are delivered to end users. With DaaS, the user’s entire desktop is virtualized and kept together, allowing applications to integrate seamlessly.
• 4. Flexibility and customization: When using SaaS and a virtual desktop in a dedicated environment, users can customize applications based on how they use them. Users are also able to take their applications and access them from any device, anywhere. It makes the user’s entire desktop stateless.
• 5. Control: DaaS allows users the option of storing all application data, user information, etc. within their own data center, giving them complete control.

Will it Be Hard to Migrate My Business to a DaaS or SaaS Architecture?

Considering each hosting provider has different processes in place for migration, we can’t speak for everyone. Generally, it is a fairly easy process to switch over from on-premise to a cloud environment.

At Summit Hosting, our hosting consultants will have a one-on-one discussion with you to determine your exact business needs (including the number of user accounts you’ll need) before our engineering team builds out your dedicated server. After your business signs up for our managed application hosting services, all you have to do is provide your company Sage or QuickBooks files, wait 1 – 2 business days and voila! You can enjoy the benefits of the cloud and work from anywhere, at any time, from any supported device.

Ready to learn more about how to migrate your data into the cloud? Contact a hosting specialist today.