The underlying similarity between VDI and DaaS is that they both provide you with remote access to a desktop. One is not necessarily better than the other. The option to select depends on your needs
In the quest for desktop virtualization, the two main options open to organizations are virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and Desktop as a Service (Daas). With our growing dependence on computers and Internet-based applications, more and more organizations are opting for desktop virtualization from schools to finance companies, government agencies, and even hospitals. There are many advantages of virtual desktops including improving efficiency, lowering costs, and providing better customer service. It also supports the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend.
In this blog post, we'll highlight some key differences and similarities between them so you can make an informed decision about which is best for your establishment.
Differences between VDI and DaaS
Both VDI and DaaS allow you to access your desktop from a remote location. However, they are very different in how they are set up and operated.
The Set Up
To set up a VDI platform for your organization, you need to create a server in your data center. You'll also need to install a VDI software on the central computer in your data center. Once that is done, you can deploy your VDI platform, and everyone on the network can access it - provided they have the proper login credentials.
On the other hand, you don't need to set up a server and datacenter to use DaaS. Instead, you need to signup to a company that provides DaaS. Essentially, DaaS is the same as VDI in terms of functionality and remote access to your desktop.
Accessibility
The main downside of using DaaS is that you need the internet to access your virtual desktop. Your connection to your DaaS platform is relayed over the web. However, lack of internet connectivity does not affect an in-house VDI setup especially if you are connected to the server.
Maintenance
You generally need a dedicated in-house IT team if you plan to create an in-house VDI platform. There is a lot of things involved in the process including managing the software and hardware used to deploy the virtual desktop as well as troubleshooting potential issues that users may encounter. The process of setting up an in-house VDI platform can be costly. You need a powerful device in your data center as well as your VDI software and a good IT team to run everything. However, thanks to advancements in the sector, both small and big establishments can create an in-house VDI platform today.
As indicated above, with DaaS you do not create the virtual desktop but instead, subscribe to a company that provides this service over the internet. But this does not mean that you do not need an IT department to run your DaaS. However, they'd be doing less work compared to running an in-house VDI service. For example, some DaaS platforms come with only basic apps that you'll find on a device. Therefore, you need IT experts to set up and maintain all the apps that people on the network will need.
Cost
On the surface, it appears that subscribing to a DaaS provider is a more affordable option than creating an in-house VDI. But that is not necessarily the case. Most DaaS providers charge based on the number of users that you have on the platform (i.e., the more users you have, the higher the subscription fee that you'll have to pay). So, while the upfront cost may be low, it can climb over time as your organization grows.
The story is completely different for setting up an in-house VDI platform. Although the upfront cost will be high, that's about it. You can add as many people to the network as required without having to spend on anything else apart from perhaps upgrading your hardware and paying for your IT staff working hours.
Control
You invariably have more control over an in-house VDI than you do over a DaaS platform. One of the reasons why this is important is security. The recent spate of hacking incidents has forced many organizations to tighten their security protocol. The fact that DaaS is deployed over the internet makes it susceptible to hackers. DaaS service providers have a lot of security measures in place to prevent any potential data breach, but there are no guarantees.
With an in-house VDI platform, you have complete control over the network, and you can implement the best security measures to protect your data. The fact that the VDI is usually accessed by people connected to a server automatically makes it less open to unauthorized access.
How FileCloud can Help
If you are using VDI, FileCloud can be useful. We provide all the tools that you need to make the most of your virtual desktop. You can integrate FileCloud with your server.
The following are some of the benefits of choosing FileCloud:
Customization: FileCloud allows you to customize all aspects of your virtual desktop with your company's brand. You can even select a different language for the platform.
Collaboration and Content Management: We provide a range of tools to support seamless collaboration and content management. This includes the ability to share files, add metadata and search for files, access and sync files on different devices, access to activity log on each file, smart notifications when a file is changed, custom workflows and much more. FileCloud even supports Microsoft Office apps like Word, Powerpoint, and Excel as well as PDF and DICOM files.
Security: FileCloud provides full security for your virtual desktop platform including encryption, ransomware protection, two-factor authentication, and more.
Administrator Tools: FileCloud gives you administrator access over your virtual desktop. You can manage all connected devices, restrict access to specific files, remotely wipe devices, recover deleted files, and much more.
Conclusion
The underlying similarity between VDI and DaaS is that they both provide you with remote access to a desktop. One is not necessarily better than the other. The option to select depends on your needs (i.e., the size of your organization and what the virtual desktop will be used for). It should be stated that DaaS is relatively newer than VDI. Some tech experts have expressed some apprehension about DaaS since it is a rapidly evolving field. The fact is that DaaS would not replace VDI anytime soon. Both platforms are likely to exist side-by-side for years to come.
Author : Rahul Sharma
