What is Device as a Service (DaaS) and how can it help your business?
No matter the size of your organisation, it is likely you are operating a wide range of computing and digital devices spread across your team - each with its own hardware and software options. With this array of devices and software choices come many different challenges, which can be a huge headache to stay on top of.
Managing all your organisation's various devices can cost significant time and money, but fortunately there's an alternative option.
Device as a Service (DaaS) is a new model for the company-wide management of devices, which could be the solution to your challenges. This beginner's guide to Device as a Service will explain what DaaS is, what it does and how it can help you and your business.
What is Device as a Service (Daas)?
DaaS is a modern-day model for device management. It bundles the leasing of hardware devices such as laptops, tablets and accessories together with life-cycle servicing, run-up and deployment into a single monthly, per-person contract.
This paid subscription-based service helps simplify your company's IT and mitigates the cost and hassle that comes with managing it all in-house. This outsourcing of device management also frees up your IT team to focus on core business tasks, such as technology innovation projects designed to help grow your business.
Traditionally, many businesses may have compromised on productivity by delaying device upgrades until they had the capital. DaaS allows immediate access to better performing devices without high up-front expenditure. It also empowers employees by giving them the right devices for their needs, so they can be their most productive.
This is a much more intuitive approach than refreshing your entire business device fleet every three to four years and experiencing major disruptions while doing so. DaaS is particularly beneficial with the rise in remote work, providing devices preconfigured with essential software from the start.
7 Benefits of Device as a Service
There are many ways a DaaS model can help your organisation make the most of the latest technology available. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Right device for the job
DaaS provides organisations with greater flexibility in device selection. It empowers employers to deliver the right technology to each job function. This means you have the right devices for the job without having to regularly buy upgraded hardware or being left with obsolete technology.
For example, field sales teams need portability and longer battery life, while engineering teams need high specs and performance. DaaS with Ok ensures that each device matches the requirements of each user. This reduces hardware costs and provides the best fit for every single user.
2. Expert advice
If you're busy managing a business, it's just about impossible to keep track of the latest developments in device technology and connectivity. Experts, like those employed by Ok, consult with our clients, to advise on the best devices to fit your budget and needs. These DaaS experts also have regular, ongoing contact with device manufacturers and partners. This helps them manage warranties and technical support on your behalf - a time-consuming responsibility that would typically fall on an internal IT team or management.
3. Cost control
With DaaS, you only pay for exactly what you need, when you need it, via a predictable monthly subscription . This arrangement also allows you to quickly scale up or down as your team grows or shrinks. Transparent and consistent pricing also removes the need to pay the hefty upfront costs usually associated with procuring new devices.
4. Lifecycle services
End-to-end lifecycle services ensure you're using the most up to date software, so your devices are always up and running. This significantly reduces the vulnerabilities that come with using outdated software, including neutralising potential cybersecurity issues. This maintains maximum performance across all your devices and extends the useful life span of each device.
The DaaS model also provides businesses with options at the end of life of devices. Devices can be bought back to give you a discount on the next hardware refresh, wiped and disposed of securely, or repurposed and recycled.
5. Flexibility
Business mobility and off-site working is easy with portable personal devices. This enables employees to achieve maximum productivity and uninterrupted connectivity no matter where they work. It also removes the need for multiple adapters and additional software installs.
6. Device analytics
With DaaS, you receive insightful and predictive analytics based on actual data from every device in your fleet. This helps you streamline and optimise your business. Managing all your devices in one comprehensive solution gives you complete visibility over your devices, their use and optimisation. This data helps management make data-driven decisions about devices and business technology, boosting competitiveness.
7. Resource allocation
With more predictable costs and fewer device-related problem solving, you can redirect the time and money you save back into your core business activities, innovations, and other opportunities that can further grow your business.
The DaaS Life-cycle
A big advantage of DaaS is that it's not just hardware leasing - it provides complete end-to-end lifecycle services for all your organisation's devices. This ensures your team has exactly the right devices, running at peak performance, all the time. Here's a snapshot of how this happens:
1. Discover and Design: Work with your vendor to identify business needs and the best options for computing and digital devices, lifecycle services and financial terms.
2. Configure: Ensure your devices are configured, so users can access all the necessary software, networks, and files they need to get started.
3. Deploy: Devices are delivered and deployed in your workplace - ready to work from day one. This accelerates the employee onboarding process and makes new device requests seamless.
4. Optimise: Devices are analysed and adjusted to ensure they are functioning at maximum productivity, security and manageability.
5. Maintain: Upgrades, maintenance and bug fixes are performed quickly and efficiently to ensure devices are robust and continue functioning at peak performance.
6. Dispose and Refresh: End-of-use devices are safely and securely removed, sanitised and recycled, ensuring your workplace is prepped for the start of the new hardware cycle.
Don't delay reviewing your device management any longer
There is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution when choosing devices for your business. The variety of technology, as well as the unique work requirements of each employee, are increasing rapidly. This makes managing business devices in-house an increasingly challenging task.
Ensuring your employees have the right devices available to do their job well is often the difference between a productive and collaborative workplace, and one where downtime and IT issues cripple output and hold your business back.
If you're frustrated with the money, time, and resources that technology upkeep and replacement is sucking out of your organisation, DaaS could be the right solution for you. It removes the burden of managing devices internally, letting your business focus on its high-value activities. The right technology not only makes your employees feel more fulfilled but also drives a better customer experience.
The DaaS subscription-based service delegates the frustrating aspects of device IT to a trusted vendor, letting your team members spend their valuable time on their key business responsibilities.
If you want to upgrade your outdated business technology and devices but don't know where to start, or you want to explore options before committing to a large up-front purchase, DaaS could be an efficient and cost-effective solution for you.