Desktop as a service (DaaS) solutions provide a virtualized desktop experience to users, entirely from the cloud. Unlike virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) software, which utilize on-premises hosting for desktop virtualization, DaaS solutions center around cloud hosting the desktop admin console and virtual desktops. DaaS eliminates the need for businesses to purchase the physical infrastructure associated with desktop virtualization, instead functioning through subscription- and usage-based payment structures.
DaaS is highly accessible throughout an organization and can be used by anyone that might need it. It applications range from being the backbone of university computer labs to testing code performance on different operating systems, and more. The high versatility with no major infrastructure benefit makes DaaS extremely valuable across numerous fields and job types; furthermore, it can be used alongside numerous other software, both aaS and not.
To qualify for inclusion in the Desktop as a Service (DaaS) category, a product must:
- Deliver a virtual desktop experience from a cloud environment
- Host all necessary resources for virtual desktops on the cloud provider's infrastructure
- Provide a cloud admin console to manage virtual desktops, access, and security
