The Business Case for Device as a Service (DaaS)
Device as a Service (DaaS) is becoming a more common way for businesses to access and manage IT hardware. Recent moves towards subscription-based devices from major technology companies reflect a wider shift away from simply buying hardware outright. But for businesses, DaaS is about more than spreading the cost of a laptop or phone. This guide looks at what a business-grade DaaS model includes and when it can make sense.
What is Device as a Service?
Device as a Service is a model where businesses access hardware through a rental arrangement rather than purchasing every device outright.
The concept has gained momentum as businesses look for more flexible ways to manage hardware costs and the growing complexity of device lifecycles.
Apple's move towards subscription-based hardware in the US is one example of this wider shift. However, consumer device subscriptions are very different from a business-grade DaaS solution.
For IT, HR and Ops teams, the value of DaaS comes from combining the hardware with the services needed to manage it throughout its lifecycle.
Procurement and day-one readiness
A DaaS partner can take responsibility for more than simply supplying the device.
Hardware can be ordered, configured and prepared before being delivered directly to the employee. Devices can also be set up according to the organisation's requirements, helping employees start with the equipment they need from day one.
For businesses with distributed or hybrid teams, this can remove a significant amount of the coordination involved in getting hardware to the right employee at the right time.
Take lifecycle management off the IT team's plate
The device lifecycle doesn't end when a laptop or phone is delivered.
Repairs, replacements, upgrades, collections and end-of-life processes all need to be managed throughout the life of the device. With DaaS, these responsibilities can be managed by the service provider rather than sitting with an internal IT team.
This can reduce the amount of time spent coordinating hardware logistics and allow IT teams to focus on higher-value work.
Make offboarding more secure
Employee departures are another important part of the device lifecycle.
When an employee leaves, company hardware needs to be recovered, company data needs to be securely removed and the device needs to be prepared for its next use.
A DaaS model can build these processes into the service, including device collection, secure data erasure and redeployment. This reduces the reliance on spreadsheets, manual follow-ups and individual teams remembering what needs to happen next.
Make hardware costs more predictable
Buying hardware outright means businesses need to plan for significant upfront expenditure, while the ongoing costs of repairs, replacements and upgrades can be difficult to predict.
A rental model spreads the cost over the life of the device and can make hardware expenditure more predictable.
Instead of managing the purchase price and lifecycle costs separately, businesses can work towards a more consistent monthly cost per device.
Is DaaS right for every business?
DaaS isn't automatically the right model for every organisation.
Businesses with a small number of devices, infrequent hardware changes or a strong preference for owning equipment outright may prefer traditional procurement.
For growing businesses, however, the ability to scale hardware alongside headcount can make a rental model more attractive. It can also reduce the operational burden of managing devices as the number of employees and locations increases.
The important distinction is between simply renting hardware and outsourcing the wider device lifecycle. A business-grade DaaS model should cover more than the monthly device payment.
Where Ooodles fits
Ooodles combines hardware procurement with full device lifecycle management, giving businesses one partner for buying or renting their IT equipment.
Devices can be sourced from any brand, new or refurbished, and delivered within 24 hours. Ooodles manages the full device lifecycle in-house, from procurement and configuration through to collection, data erasure and redeployment. For growing businesses, this means hardware can scale alongside headcount without creating a separate process for every new starter, leaver or device replacement. HR and Ops teams can also track devices, employees, contracts and invoices from one platform, without needing a dedicated IT department to manage the hardware lifecycle.
FAQ
Is Device as a Service the same as leasing a laptop?
Not quite. Traditional leasing generally focuses on financing the hardware, while DaaS can include the wider services required to manage the device throughout its lifecycle, such as deployment, support, collection and secure disposal.
Is DaaS cheaper than buying devices outright?
Not necessarily. The value of DaaS comes from more than the purchase price. Businesses should also consider the cost of deployment, repairs, replacements, collection, storage and end-of-life management when comparing the two models.
Can a business use DaaS for different types of devices?
Yes. A DaaS model can cover laptops, desktops, monitors, smartphones, tablets and other IT hardware, depending on the provider.
What happens to a device when an employee leaves?
The device can be collected, securely wiped and prepared for redeployment or another end-of-life process. The exact process depends on the DaaS provider and the business's requirements.
Is DaaS suitable for a growing business?
It can be particularly useful for businesses where headcount and hardware requirements change regularly. A rental model can make it easier to add, replace and remove devices as the organisation changes.
