During the past year and a half or so, the way we work has changed dramatically, and it seems clear that many people don’t want to go back to the office full-time. Just over half (52 percent) of U.S. office employees prefer a hybrid approach involving a mix of on-site and remote work, according to the Gensler Research Institute.
Following the shift to remote work arrangements necessitated by the pandemic last year, many companies have embraced the idea of hybrid workplaces: 81 percent of enterprise organizations have either already implemented such a strategy or have started the adoption process, according to a July 2021 report from Microsoft. However, security decision-makers report some concerns about hybrid office set-ups, including the potential improper use of personal devices, cyberattacks, increased IT workload, and issues managing all devices.
Companies with staff members who spend some of their work hours on-site and some logging in remotely need a way to ensure employees can remain productive and securely access all the files and applications they need to get their work done from any location. As a result, Workstation as a Service (WaaS) solutions have become increasingly popular.
What Is Workstation as a Service?
WaaS – also known as Desktop as a Service (DaaS) – involves virtual desktop infrastructure delivered via the cloud and typically paid for on a per seat per month basis, according to TechRepublic. By separating the physical PC from the workstation operating system through virtualization, WaaS solutions allow end users to access their apps, settings and data on any device with an internet connection. Typically, a WaaS supplier will host the solution on virtual machines in their data centers.
5 Business Benefits of Workstation as a Service Solutions
This type of technology has become popular with businesses looking to drive productivity and efficiency for distributed workforces. Here are some of the main advantages of leveraging WaaS:
- Easy scalability to accommodate growth and fluctuations in demand
- Accessibility from various devices and locations (ideal for fully remote teams and hybrid office set-ups)
- Lower costs due to the lack of hardware and only paying for what you need
- Advanced security and compliance via the supplier’s data centers
It’s important to note, however, that the specific features and benefits will vary depending on the WaaS supplier.
If you’re wondering whether WaaS might be a good fit for your business, our technology advisors can help you by assessing your needs and goals and vetting solution providers that meet your requirements. We have connections with various suppliers via our extensive partner network and can leverage advanced tools to quickly produce comparison matrices that will help you identify the best options for your organization.
To learn more about Workstation as a Service and our advisory services, just call 877-599-3999 or email sales@stratospherenetworks.com to connect with our advisors.
