DaaS vs VDI
Trends in Desktop Virtualization
In the Beginning
I’ve seen the evolution of VDI, which stands for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. In the early days, VDI was quite expensive. This was largely due to the need for flash storage to achieve the performance needed to successfully utilize VDI, but flash storage used to be expensive. Hearing that flash storage used to be expensive is like hearing an old timer tell you how much a Coke used to cost in the 1940’s.
And then flash storage became very affordable. The industry assumption was that VDI would finally take off, but that didn’t happen. I occasionally see new VDI implementations, but I see a larger migration to DaaS. Let’s talk about that.
What is VDI?
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is a tech solution that enables the creation and management of virtual desktops that are provided via a centralized server or data center.
VDI environments create a virtual machine (VM) on a server, while each VM serves as a separate desktop for a user. Each VM can run a different operating system, while users can access their virtual desktops from a variety of devices and locations, including laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones.
A key benefit for VDI is the administration. VDI allows admins to centrally manage and deploy desktops/applications. In the olden days, we had to physically go touch each machine in order to make these changes. This is a useful technology for environments with a variety of needs. VDI is also beneficial for security purposes, as all data is stored on a server and not the individual devices.
Benefits of VDI
Let’s quickly cover some of the key benefits of VDI.
Simplified desktop and application management | Admins centrally manage virtual desktops
Better security | All data is stored centrally, rather on each personal device
Increased flexibility | Users can work from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection
Improved scalability | This solution can scale up and down moderately well
What Sucks About VDI
While VDI can be beneficial for many organizations, it’s also a beast to manage. In my experience, it’s more common to see organizations migrating away from VDI due to complexity, lack of a FTE and the overall expense of maintaining the stack on-prem. Let’s summarize a handful of the common issues I see in regards to VDI.
Cost | VDI requires significant investment in infrastructure, such as servers, storage, and networking equipment. Additionally, VDI requires ongoing maintenance and management, which can also be costly.
Complexity | VDI can be complex to set up and manage, particularly for smaller organizations without dedicated IT staff. Implementing VDI requires knowledge of virtualization technologies, networking, and storage, which may be beyond the expertise of some IT departments. This is the primary reason I see VDI fail in many organizations.
Performance | The performance of virtual desktops can be impacted by the performance of the underlying hardware and network infrastructure, such as flash storage. If the VDI environment is not properly optimized, users may experience slow response times and reduced productivity.
User experience | VDI may not provide the same level of user experience as a traditional desktop environment, particularly for resource-intensive applications. For example, graphics-intensive applications, such as video editing software, may not perform as well in a virtual desktop environment.
Dependency on network connectivity | VDI requires a stable and fast network connection, and users may experience connectivity issues if the network is slow or unreliable. This can be a particular challenge for remote workers who may be accessing the VDI environment over a VPN or from a location with poor connectivity.
What is DaaS?
DaaS stands for Desktop as a Service. This essentially pitches VDI to a managed service. Users can access their desktop environment from anywhere on any device. Users simply utilize a remote connection. DaaS environments can be customized to meet the user’s needs. Your users can also utilize a variety of devices to access their desktop, such as laptops, tablets and smartphones.
DaaS is outpacing VDI. You’ll recognize cost savaings with DaaS, because your people’s time is an expense; resources aren’t free. You can realize the same security benefits and simplified management.
DaaS thoroughly beats VDI in terms of scale. VDI can be scaled, but it often requires license increases and additional hardware. Adding licensing is easy, but hardware is unpredictable in the current marketplace. Since 2020, we’ve learned that we can’t predic the future and a flexible model should receive priority.
Why DaaS is Winning
Cost | You heard that right. DaaS removes the need to invest in expensive hardware, software and FTE’s to manage the environment. I can hear a hater out there saying, “I don’t need an FTE for VDI!” Yes you do. Google it, boss.
Scalability | This is my personal favorite. I’ve never met an IT professional who is good at predicting the future. DaaS allows you to truly scale up and down based on your current need, which is based on a multitude of factors outside of your control.
Accesibility | Your employees can work from anywhere at any time; just give them a connection.
Security | Secure the connections and encrypt the data.
Management | This is way easier than traditional VDI. The supplier manages everything below the hypervisor/software layer. You don’t have to bother with updates/patching and maintenance. Go focus on your core values!
Why DaaS Might Not Be for Thee
Connectivity | You need relatively stable connections. If your locations are based at the end of a goat trail in rural Alabama, let’s look at a different solution.
Customization | A Daas solution might not offer the same level of customization as a premise-based VDI solution. Most organizations don’t require this level of customization, so I would recommend an assessment.
Licensing | Some software vendors may not allow their solution to be utilized in a DaaS environment. Again, I would recommend an assessment to determine the best solution for you.
Data Sovereignty | This legal issue is only a factor if you have international locations. US-based businesses won’t see their data leave the country. If you have international locations, you should include this in the discovery phase.
Costs | While DaaS should be less than traditional VDI, it could be more expensive than on-premise solutions if your needs are complex.
DaaS Advantages Over VDI
Cost-effectiveness | You don’t need to make the massive capital investments with DaaS. This solution moves you to a subsciption model. This means you only pay for what you need, rather than trying to capacity plan for the future. You can also scale up and down based on needs. Here is a quick read that discusses why companies are moving to the “as a service” model.
Scalability and Flexibility | DaaS is much more flexible. This allows you to navigate seasonal spikes and ever-changing economic conditions.
Simplified Management | I’ll be honest; VDI is a pain in the butt to manage. Service providers will handle infrastructure maintenance, updates, security patches, and backups. That means internal IT can actually focus on projects and driving change.
Enhanced Security | DaaS providers typically employ robust security measures, including data encryption, network firewalls, and multi-factor authentication. This helps protect sensitive company data and intellectual property from potential threats. Additionally, data is stored centrally in the provider's data centers, reducing the risk of data loss due to device theft or failure.
Accessibility and Remote | If you’ve got an internet connection, you can work.
Rapid Deployment | Service providers handle the ordering and provisioning of all hardware, software and subscriptions. Their volume of consumption means they get steeper discounts, which as passed along to you, and the suppliers don’t experience the supply chain delays you have come to know as an end user.
Performance and User Experience | DaaS suppliers run high-performance servers with robust networks. The solutions receive much more care and feeding than the average end user can provide, thus higher performance.
Ultimately, DaaS offers a more cost-effective, scalable, and flexible solution for companies that want to provide secure and accessible desktop environments to their employees without the complexities and upfront investments associated with traditional VDI. If you’re vurious if DaaS/VDI is right for you, let’s talk about a free assessment that helps you determine the solution that’s right for your business.
Y’all be good,
DB