Device as a Service

What is DaaS? What are the benefits of DaaS?

What is Device as a Service? (Hardware as a Service)

Device as a Service (DaaS for short) or Hardware as a Service (HaaS for short) is a service where you use a hardware device for a fixed price per month. This could be a laptop, tablet, smartphone or PC, for example.

In addition to the use of the device, the price also includes various services. Think of placement and installation, but also maintenance, repairs, replacement and disposal.

Device as a Service is therefore similar to leasing hardware. You only pay for the use of the device, not for ownership. At the end of the device's contract term, the vendor takes it back.

This is an attractive option for many companies. It offers more flexibility, making scaling up and down easier. In addition, the costs are lower compared to buying new hardware. In addition, it gives IT departments more time and space. They are less concerned with the day-to-day management of hardware and can therefore spend more time on relevant IT tasks.

Many organisations underestimate the amount of time involved in purchasing, implementing, managing and disposing of devices. Therefore, this hidden cost is often not or insufficiently considered in the business case on which they base their decisions.

What is Device as a Service? (Hardware as a Service)
Benefits of Device as a Service
DaaS, HaaS, PCaaS or lease?
Device as a Service and refurbished hardware
Frequently asked questions about Device as a Service (FAQ)
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Benefits of Device as a Service

In recent years, therefore, more and more companies and organisations are opting for Device as a Service as a means of providing end users' workstations with the right hardware. This makes sense, because Device as a Service offers several attractive advantages:

1. You save costs

First, because you only pay for the devices you use. But also, because additional costs for installation, maintenance, etc. are all included in the fixed monthly price. So you save costs in terms of procurement, implementation, management and administration.

2. You keep capital free

Moving to Device as a Service means shifting your capital expenditure (CAPEX) to an operating cost (OPEX) model. High upfront investments are no longer necessary, freeing up your capital for other investments.

3. You have the latest hardware

It often happens that at some point the hardware in place no longer meets requirements. Replacement is expensive and with the disposal of the old hardware, value also decreases. With DaaS, you provide your end users with the most appropriate hardware for their specific tasks. You can also upgrade easily, whenever you want.

4. Your organisation is flexible

Is the number of employees growing or are several colleagues suddenly leaving? Then with Device as a Service you can easily scale up and down. This way, you always have the right hardware for each workstation and only pay for the equipment you need.

5. Your costs become transparant and predictable

Because you pay per device, you have more insight into your IT costs. No more separate procurement costs, installation procedures and maintenance contracts, but everything in one fixed monthly price per device. This makes expenses predictable for the future, a huge benefit for determining your long-term strategy.

6. Your IT department can really get back to IT

In many companies, the IT department is quite busy setting up workstations and managing hardware. Valuable time that your IT staff would rather spend on more important tasks, where their expertise is put to better use. Pleasant for your organisation, but also for your IT staff.

DaaS, HaaS, PCaaS or lease?

Several terms are used around the concept of Device as a Service. For example, in addition to DaaS, you will also come across the term HaaS. This stands for Hardware as a Service and means the same thing. Another common term for the same service is PCaaS, or PC as a Service. Some companies choose the term DaaS, while others prefer to use HaaS or PCaaS.

In addition, Device as a Service is often compared to hardware leasing. Understandable, because with DaaS, too, you don't pay for owning hardware but for using it. However, this is an operational lease and not a financial lease.

The table below clearly shows the differences between Device as a Service and financial lease:

Device as a Service (operational lease)
You lease the hardware and it is not on your balance sheet
Maintenance and management are arranged within the DaaS contract
The monthly costs are deductible from the profit
More economical than financial lease because of calculation costs

Financial lease
You are the owner after the term, the hardware is on your balance sheet
You are responsible for maintenance and management
You are eligible for investment deduction
Higher costs and uncertainty about residual value

Device as a Service and refurbished hardware

The concept of DaaS is also perfect for deploying refurbished hardware. Refurbished hardware is used hardware that is redeployed after a thorough inspection and upgrade. This can be interesting in several situations:

If you need hardware temporarily: for temporary extra capacity, it is not always necessary to purchase the latest hardware. Refurbished hardware is then an excellent option.

If you do not need the latest hardware: many simple tasks, such as administration, do not require sophisticated hardware. Refurbished hardware is then an inexpensive alternative.

As a bridge to a new model: are you waiting for the release of a new model but the old hardware is no longer completely satisfactory? Then refurbished hardware is ideal as a bridge.

As part of your CSR strategy: repurposing used hardware (circular IT) is a valuable way to contribute to your CSR (corporate social responsibility) ambitions.

More about Device as a Service?

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If you want to save costs: it goes without saying that refurbished hardware is always cheaper than new hardware. An excellent opportunity to save on current costs.

Frequently asked questions about Device as a Service (FAQ)

Question

Is Device as a Service (DaaS) the same as Hardware as a Service (HaaS) and PC as a Service (PCaaS)?

Answer

Yes, Hardware as a Service (Haas) and PC as a Service (PaaS) are other names for Device as a Service. All these ‘as a Service’ models provide you with a device for a fixed price per month including all services and partial device lifecycle management.

Question

Is Device as a Service the same as Desktop as a Service?

Answer

No, Device as a Service should not be confused with Desktop as a Service, even though they are an extension of each other. Desktop as a Service is a datacenter/cloud-based, highly secure virtualised desktop, accessible via a wide range of hardware devices, such as: thin clients, desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.

Device as a Service is about the hardware itself. Device as a Service solutions vary among themselves, but typically include implementation, management, services and eventual recycling of the device at end of life. Companies choose a term, usually around three years, and pay a fixed monthly fee for each device including all services.

Question

What is the difference between hardware leasing and Device as a Service?

Answer

The main difference is that with DaaS you rent the hardware, with financial lease you own it after the term. In addition, with DaaS, maintenance and management are part of the contract. In the case of lease, you have to arrange this yourself. Therefore, the costs with DaaS are very predictable, whereas with leasing this is much more uncertain.

Question

What is Device Lifecycle Management?

Answer

Device Lifecycle Management is the process of optimising the deployment of end-user devices and controlling costs, throughout the lifecycle. This lifecycle runs from initial acquisition, implementation, operation and maintenance to safe disposal and data disposal. All kinds of administrative issues are also part of this.

Question

What are the disadvantages of Device as a Service?

Answer

A disadvantage of Device as a Service can be that you basically do not own the hardware. At the end of the term, the hardware goes back to the leasing company.

Another disadvantage may be the term of the contract. You enter into a contract for a period of two to five years. However, you do have the ability to scale up and down and upgrade a percentage of the equipment within a set margin.

Question

For whom is Device as a Service interesting?

Answer

The main reasons why companies choose DaaS are: cost savings, more strategic deployment of the IT department and better alignment between the needs of end users and their devices.

If you recognize these challenges, then DaaS is an interesting option for you. For companies of 500 devices or more, the worry-free aspect of NEG's DaaS360 also becomes an attractive option.

Question

Which devices can be deployed under a Device as a Service contract?

Answer

In principle, all PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, workstations and thin-clients can be deployed. As a rule, HP, Apple and Microsoft Surface devices in particular are included in a DaaS contract. Accessories such as monitors, docking stations, mice and keyboards are also included.

However, as an organisation, it makes sense to limit the choice of types of devices to a few company-standard models focused on the role of the user (personas). This makes management much simpler, results in lower costs due to larger volume purchases and brings peace of mind to the organisation.

Question

What is the difference between IMAC-D and Device as a Service?

Answer

IMAC-D is a somewhat older term for a number of processes: Install, Move, Add, Change and Delete (or Disposal).

Whereas Device as a Service focuses on value creation for the organization and the user (XLA), IMAC-D focuses on the IT process itself. With the separate processes of IMAC-D, the control and approach lies largely with you, the customer.

The question you need to ask yourself to make a good choice is: what do I want to achieve? Do I only want loose processes that have limited added value or do I really want to add value for my organisation and satisfied end users?
With Device as a Service, the IT department is also relieved, while remaining in control. In addition, the entire device lifecycle management process is supported by specific software that even takes care of a large part of the administrative processes.