Running a desktop-as-a-service solution now typically proves more cost-effective compared to traditional laptops, even considering the costs of thin clients.
DaaS Set to Displace Traditional Laptops in Enterprise IT Landscapes
By 2027, Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) is expected to become a dominant and cost-effective alternative to on-premises laptops for the majority of workers, fundamentally reshaping enterprise IT landscapes.
Gartner projects that DaaS will become cost-effective for 95% of employees, up from 40% in 2019. Additionally, DaaS is forecasted to become the primary workspace for 20% of workers, up from 10%, in the same timeframe.
Key trends driving this shift include cost-effectiveness, adoption growth, market impact, hybrid cloud integration, and security. The shift will strongly impact IT infrastructure models, pushing enterprises towards cloud-based desktops to improve flexibility, security, and sustainability objectives.
Cost-effectiveness Comparisons
DaaS offers several advantages over traditional on-premises laptops. Upfront hardware costs are lower due to leveraged cloud infrastructure, maintenance and refresh cycles are included in the service, scalability is elastic and pay-per-use, and security is managed by providers with compliance.
Prominent Vendors
Major players in the DaaS market include Microsoft, Citrix, AWS (Amazon Web Services), and Omnissa. Microsoft offers Windows 365 Cloud PC as a DaaS solution, integrating deeply with Azure cloud and Microsoft 365 ecosystems. Citrix provides well-established virtualization solutions via Citrix DaaS, known for strong performance and compatibility across diverse enterprise apps. AWS delivers scalable and secure DaaS with integration into AWS cloud services, suitable for global enterprises. Omnissa focuses on cost-effective, specialized DaaS offerings tailored for SMBs.
Market Outlook
The DaaS market is poised for continued rapid growth, fueled by digital transformation, remote/hybrid work normalization, and enterprises' cost and sustainability pressures. Large enterprises prioritize providers that ensure strict security, multi-platform accessibility, and optimized cost-to-performance ratios.
Tony Foster, an expert in end-user computing, believes that AI agents won't need a mouse and will require optimized workspaces. He suggests that new workspaces for AI agents may need to be licensed differently than those for human users, potentially through discrete or bundled licensing.
AI tools may start using virtual desktops, according to Foster. He uses the example of an architect using a virtual desktop designed for an accountant to illustrate the potential inefficiency of such a setup. Foster compares the potential use of AI agents to tasks such as booking dinner reservations, scheduling meetings, and other mundane tasks.
Gartner rates Citrix and Microsoft as leaders in the Desktop-as-a-Service field, with Microsoft being the runaway leader. Citrix only sells DaaS in bundles that can leave buyers paying for products they don't want, and seldom offers subscriptions shorter than three years to its large customers.
Gartner warns that Microsoft is prioritizing Windows 365 over Azure Virtual Desktop. However, Microsoft still offers Azure Virtual Desktop and Microsoft Dev Box as cloud-hosted DaaS solutions.
In summary, the rise of DaaS is set to disrupt traditional IT landscapes, offering cost-effective, flexible, and secure solutions for enterprises. As AI tools become more prevalent, the need for optimized workspaces for AI agents will become increasingly important.
