VDI vs. DaaS: Benefits, Costs, and Trends

Opting for the best virtual desktop solutions can be very challenging nowadays when many outsourcing solutions have emerged. Usually, for acompany that wants a virtual desktop solution, there are two major choices: either to choose a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) or a desktop as a service solution (DaSS).

Under some aspects, VDIs and DaaSs are not that different. They are both solutions for managing multiple virtual operating systems, but the major difference between the two mobile solutions is that VDIs require an on-site physical host server, which organizes payloads and that DaaS solutions require all virtual machinesbe moved on a cloud.

Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages on both sides, and knowing them, makes it a lot easier to see what fits your business profile.

VDI – Need to Know

VDI, or virtual desktop infrastructure, is an in-door business solution which focuses on hosting virtual desktop instances on a local server that is maintained by an IT department. Although hosting a VDI can be more expensive than deploying your virtual desktops on a cloud server, run by a third-party developer, most companies have stated that this solution is considered safer than the alternative.

With VDI, all that you’ll need in order to keep the company running is located inside your own building. This means around the clock security, low firewall access and the immediate possibility of retrieving information from the server if anything goes wrong.

Also, VDI has another advantage over cloud-based business solutions: obtaining licenses. Since DaaS services are fairly new, many large business software developers like Microsoft don’t have solutions that reduce extra costs. Instead, you can always find a cost-efficient solution for a virtual desktop infrastructure.

DaaS – Need to Know

DaaS, or desktop as a service, is a relatively new kind of desktop virtualization service. So, instead of putting together a backyard server that manages, distributes and reallocates resources, all virtual desktops are directly deployed to a third-party cloud-based service provider.

Desktop as a Service has one great advantage over VDI solution: it does not require an in-door server for users to access their desktops. All the information is transferred to the cloud, users being capable of remote accessing their virtual desktop application from anywhere in the world and from any number of devices, provided that they have the propercredentials.

One would ask why so many companies opt for VDI over a DaaS solution. The truth is that not many CEOs are not at ease with submitting the company’s information to third-party cloud vendors. Information is precious and with hackers targeting more and more cloud-based servers, everybody keeps on wondering whether packing up and going cloud is the best solution.

VDI vs. DaaS – The Battle of the Giants Continues

Should you opt for VDI orDaaS? The answer to this question is pretty easy: the company’s profile. Ask yourself whether a VDI is worth the effort, or if it’s totally safe to transfer the most sensitive data to a cloud vendor.

The main advantage of switching to a VDI solution is that the ball’s in your court. You, or rather your IT department, controls everything from how the servers handleall assigned tasks, to recovering your data in case something goes wrong.

The main disadvantage of actually owning your very own VDI is that the maintenance costs will skyrocket in no time, starting from operational costs to keeping around an entire IT department whose sole purpose is to keep tabs on the machine.

Also, another disadvantage of VDIs is the actual physical part. The VDI works pretty much like any other servers. So, this means plenty of cables and beeping lights.

Although, many are reserved in making this commitment, the truth is that a VDI lets you control all the data streams more efficiently and directly than cloud-based services. Security is another issue you should take into account when opting for a virtual desktop solution.

VDI employ safeguards at every point to prevent data theft. As for DaaS, with all the data transferred to thecloud, a possible malware attack may result in massive data loss.

As mentioned before, DaaS services are considered a new addition to the smart business solution market. Virtual desktops can be migrated to the cloud, thus cutting some of the costs associated with maintaining physical, virtual desktop infrastructure.

The main advantage of opting for a cloud-based solution is many cloud providers are open to negotiation, based on the number of virtual of devices you would want to transfer. On top of that, cloud vendors like Backblazehave decent monthly offers starting from 5 dollars per personal plans or 50 dollars per year for a business plan.

Compared to VDI solutions vendors that can tax as much as 505,000 dollars for 1000 users for a Citrix XenDesktop solutions, DaaSs are quite affordable.

And there’s the matter of connectivity. If you opt for a VDI, then connectivity won’t be an issue, since the hosting server will be under your control. Users working on virtual machines hosted on a cloud server have complained about low latencies and crippling connectivity issues that have led to massive data loss.

However, every cloud storage service has many protocols that prevent this sort of situation, and, in case this scenario happens, cloud vendors are obligated to reimburse your data loss.

DaaS solutions may take the strain off your IT department, but that doesn’t mean that it’s for the better. On top of that, we should also consider the license issue. Since DaaSs are somewhat new to the market, contractors usually have anissue receiving business-oriented software license.

Customization is also a matter we should address. VDI is described as a highly-customizable end-user environment. Ironically, cloud-based virtualization services, whose core philosophy rests on mobility and flexibility, don’t offer the same easiness when it comes to configuring terminals.

All these matters must be addressed before the company makes a decision. Also, it would be good to solicit additional information from your cloud or VDI provider before signing the contract.

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