Reduce costs & free up your IT team with Device as a Service (DaaS)
If you take a walk around your office today you may see a huge array of different computing devices being used. Desktops, laptops, tablets, as well as a wide range of mobile devices - each catering to the users' role and preferences.
And, if you're involved in supporting all those devices, you'll know first-hand what a headache this creates. Your support team has to know the ins and outs of each device, so they can troubleshoot any problems that crop up. When it comes time to update or upgrade, each device demands its own custom process to keep it up-to-date and functioning properly.
So, how can a modern company save the hassle and expense of maintaining a fleet of devices? How can it keep staff satisfied they're getting the latest and greatest devices, the performance they need to do their job, plus excellent support to make sure they're not left high and dry when their equipment crashes or needs updating? Device as a Service (Daas) could be your answer.
So, what exactly is Device as a Service (DaaS)?
DaaS is a device management solution that bundles the leasing of hardware devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones with life cycle servicing and software into a single monthly contract.
It's a paid subscription model that streamlines your company's IT requirements and mitigates the time and cost that comes with managing it all in-house. Importantly, it leaves all device management to skilled experts, which frees up your team to focus on their core tasks and responsibilities.
5 financial benefits of Device as a Service (DaaS)
One of the biggest challenges finance teams face is getting cost predictability, so they can manage their cash flow. They often have to rely on managers to provide budgets for the next financial year. However, when it comes to IT costs, most managers don't know enough to forecast accurately, anticipate when hardware or software needs updating or upgrading, or have a crystal ball to know when a device is going to crash.
Aside from the cash flow challenges of managing all your devices in-house, hardware and software are also expensive capital expenditure items. IDC reports that hardware consumes almost a quarter of technology budgets. All too often, when a company's budget is under pressure, staff get told 'sorry, you'll just have to wait until the next financial year to upgrade.'
According to ZenBusiness, this 'tech-gap' created by deferred CapEx spending results in outdated technologies, low stocks of supplies, and a lack of integrated communication among teams. The net result? You guessed it: unhappy staff.
Two in three employees surveyed said outdated technology has the biggest effect on their productivity. For example, poor-quality computers can burden IT with help requests and result in a loss of productivity when employees can't work due to repairs or maintenance. 57% said this impacted on their job satisfaction and 32% on their relationship with their employer.
DaaS can neutralise all of these issues by providing the following:
Improved cash flow.
Reduced capital expenditure on hardware.
Cost predictability and more accurate forecasting:
simple and flexible monthly plans; pay per seat per month over 3-5 years
Reduced IT-related costs, with better visibility
Insurance included
Covers all device-related hardware and software
If you close a project, or your business, there's no need to sell purchased assets
Asset recovery, disposal and refresh
Plan in advance for upgrades and the transition to new technology
Frees up cash otherwise earmarked for the upfront and out-of-pocket expenses of the traditional, one-time purchase model.
The per-device contract, combined with detailed reporting, lets technology costs be allocated to a specific business unit or project.
DaaS frees up your in-house IT team
Consider the time an in-house IT team would normally spend procuring and managing devices, as well as deploying and supporting them. DaaS takes care of all this, freeing up your frontline IT staff for more strategic initiatives that help grow your business.
Devices under a DaaS model come pre-set up, so they're almost ready to 'plug and play'. No more wasted time as staff sit around waiting for IT to install software and get devices connected to the network.
Your IT team doesn't have to spend time and resources any longer taking care of the day-to-day management and maintenance of PCs, tablets and other devices. Best of all, they can give away their Helpdesk responsibilities - your vendor takes care of this under the DaaS model.
DaaS is tailored for your unique needs
To make sure you're not paying for anything you don't need, your DaaS vendor takes the time and trouble to discuss your exact requirements in detail. An important aspect of the DaaS model is scalability; if your business grows and your workforce expands, you just let your vendor know that you require more seats. Similarly, if a project comes to an end, for example, you just scale down. This gives you tremendous speed and agility, which is vital in today's competitive business environment.
The actual devices covered by your DaaS are also carefully considered, so you have purpose-built accessories to suit your business needs. This includes having up-to-date, high-performing hardware, which is monitored and adjusted to suit your employees and their job requirements. And, if new technology comes into the market, your vendor will let you know, so you can be confident you've got your finger on the pulse of the latest tech trends.