Device as a Service (DaaS): Revolutionising End-User Device Management

Managing a fleet of end-user devices – from laptops and desktops to smartphones and peripherals – can be an overwhelming task for IT departments. Device as a Service (DaaS) has emerged as a solution to this challenge, offering businesses a way to procure and manage all their end-user hardware through a single subscription service.

Instead of purchasing devices outright and juggling the logistics and support, companies partner with a DaaS provider who supplies the devices and handles lifecycle management under a monthly fee. This model promises to reduce the burden on IT teams, ensure up-to-date technology for users, and simplify global device operations, all while converting large capital expenses into manageable operating costs. In this post, we’ll explore how DaaS works, its benefits, and how ViadexOne leverages DaaS within its services to deliver value.

What is Device as a Service (DaaS)?

DaaS is often described as a complete end-to-end solution for end-user devices. According to Viadex’s definition, Device as a Service includes the full supply and management of the end-user device fleet – covering procurement, configuration, asset management, support (such as a 24-hour device swap service), global logistics – plus the hardware itself (laptops, desktops, handhelds, and even peripherals such as monitors, mice, etc.), all bundled into a monthly subscription.

In simpler terms, a DaaS provider will deliver devices to your users, ready to go out-of-the-box, manage those devices throughout their life (deploy updates, monitor health, provide helpdesk services), and then refresh or replace them as needed, charging you a consistent fee per device/user. It’s a comprehensive outsourcing of device procurement and upkeep.

Importantly, DaaS is not to be confused with “Desktop as a Service” (which refers to cloud-hosted virtual desktop environments). Here we are talking about physical devices. Think of DaaS as an evolution of leasing – but with far more included than just financing the hardware. The provider doesn’t just lease you a laptop; they become responsible for keeping that laptop running and eventually retiring it responsibly.

Business Outcomes and Benefits of DaaS

• Seamless Device Deployment
  DaaS enables fast, zero-touch deployment of devices to end users. PCs can be shipped pre-imaged and configured so that employees can unbox and start working immediately. This reduces downtime for new hires or when swapping devices. In fact, Viadex’s global DaaS capability can deploy devices to users in over 150 countries, with machines arriving “ready for zero-touch application installation” on day one. This kind of efficiency is hard to match with in-house provisioning, especially across multiple geographies.
  
  

• Reduced IT Overhead and Refresh Burden
  Keeping devices up-to-date and secure is a major drain on IT resources in a traditional model. With DaaS, the constant cycle of refreshing hardware and managing ageing devices is taken care of by the provider. IT teams no longer have to worry about ordering new models, imaging them, or coordinating disposal of old ones – all of that is handled. This frees internal IT staff from time-consuming device management tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic initiatives. “It is onerous to manage locally, and a resource drain to manage globally,” Viadex notes, because IT departments are usually not experts in global logistics or asset disposal. DaaS addresses that by offloading these tasks to specialists.
  
  

• Increased Productivity & Less Downtime
  DaaS can significantly improve the end-user experience. Because devices are regularly refreshed and proactively maintained, employees encounter fewer tech issues and less slowness due to old hardware. DaaS providers often include proactive monitoring and support, spotting issues before they cause outages. They also guarantee speedy support if something goes wrong. For example, Viadex’s DaaS offers next-business-day device swaps if a machine fails. By minimising device downtime and performance issues, DaaS helps keep employees productive and happy. It’s reported that unplanned downtime and dealing with ageing, unreliable devices costs businesses far more in lost productivity than they often realise. DaaS tackles this hidden cost by ensuring maximum device uptime and reliable performance.
  
  

• Cost Efficiency and Predictable Budgeting
  Under DaaS, organisations pay a consistent monthly fee per device, which converts sporadic CapEx spending into steady OpEx. This not only aids in budgeting but can reduce overall costs. Providers leverage economies of scale and vendor partnerships to get better pricing on hardware and services, savings which can be passed to the customer. Additionally, DaaS avoids the scenario of over-provisioning or holding onto underutilised assets – you pay for what you need, when you need it. DaaS also inherently encourages a “right-sizing” of device inventories: since devices are returned or refreshed regularly, you won’t accumulate drawers of outdated laptops (which are essentially wasted spend). Studies show a significant portion of IT hardware is often unused or lost in inventory in traditional environments – one analysis found 30% of IT assets can go unaccounted for without proper lifecycle management. DaaS prevents such waste, potentially yielding cost savings and better ROI on equipment.
  
  

• Lifecycle Management & Security
  A crucial benefit of DaaS is professional lifecycle management, including secure end-of-life handling. The DaaS provider tracks each device from deployment to return. When a device is due for refresh or a user leaves the company, the provider ensures it’s collected, data is securely wiped, and the hardware is either recycled, refurbished, or disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. This means no more unrecovered laptops floating around when an employee exits – a common risk if offboarding processes fail. As Viadex points out, without a well-managed retrieval process, devices can be lost and data “left at large,” creating security risks. Their DaaS practice includes a “circular economy” approach: giving devices a new life after use while ensuring no data is left on retired equipment. This not only improves security but also supports corporate sustainability goals by reducing e-waste.
  
  

• Aligning IT with Business Needs Quickly
  DaaS provides flexibility to equip the right people with the right device at the right time, anywhere in the world. This is fundamental to enabling productivity. If your sales team suddenly needs tablets for a new initiative, a DaaS provider can roll them out rapidly. If you open a new branch office, devices for that location can be delivered and supported via the service. The agility of DaaS means IT can respond to business changes much faster than the old procure-configure-ship model. This agility is reflected in market trends: 72% of IT leaders plan to increase investment in DaaS in the next few years due to its scalability and flexibility.
  
  
  

Why the Shift to DaaS is Happening Now

Several factors are driving the popularity of Device as a Service. First, the workforce and workplace have evolved – with remote work, BYOD, and global teams, managing devices has become more complex. Traditional in-house IT approaches struggle to provide uniform device support across dispersed users. DaaS vendors fill that gap with centralised, cloud-enabled management and worldwide logistics networks.

Second, CFOs and procurement heads are keen on moving IT spending to a cloud-like model: predictable and as-needed. DaaS turns devices into an on-demand utility, much like cloud software, which is attractive for financial planning.

Third, security and compliance demands have heightened. Having experts manage device encryption, patching, and end-of-life disposal reduces the risk of data breaches or compliance failures.

Lastly, the rapid pace of technology change means devices become obsolete faster; DaaS ensures companies aren’t stuck with ageing hardware and can continuously equip employees with current tech. The market numbers reflect this momentum – analysts project the global DaaS market to grow explosively, reaching as high as £233 billion by 2032 (at ~27% CAGR), as organisations across the board adopt the model.

ViadexOne’s DaaS Approach

• ViadexOne delivers DaaS as a core component of its Managed Device Lifecycle Services (MDLS) platform. The goal is to provide clients with a “one-stop shop” for device needs globally, from sourcing to secure recycling.
  
  

• Global Logistics and Support Footprint
  ViadexOne leverages Viadex Global’s presence in 190+ countries, meaning it can deploy and support devices anywhere your workforce is. If you’re a multinational or have remote workers abroad, this is invaluable – you get the same seamless DaaS service in each locale, without needing separate local vendors. The worldwide procurement and distribution network simplifies dealing with customs, regional vendors, and import compliance, as Viadex handles those complexities for you.
  
  

• End-to-End Managed Process
  The service is comprehensive. “From sourcing to secure recycling,” ViadexOne covers the entire device lifecycle. Devices are delivered to users configured (they support zero-touch provisioning via modern endpoint management tools). Throughout the life, ViadexOne provides asset tracking and management, 24/7 support, and next-day replacements for broken devices. When devices come off lease or a user leaves, ViadexOne ensures retrieval and data-safe disposal. This cradle-to-grave handling means your internal teams have minimal hands-on involvement – it truly feels like devices are simply a utility available to your users.
  
  

• Optimising User Experience
  The ViadexOne platform doesn’t stop at logistics; it also integrates Digital Employee Experience (DEX) analytics to continuously monitor device performance and user satisfaction. This proactive stance helps identify issues like devices causing frustration (perhaps a certain model is underpowered for a specific team’s needs) or recurring problems (such as driver issues). By addressing these, ViadexOne’s DaaS not only provides devices but also ensures they deliver a smooth experience. This addresses what Viadex calls “digital friction” – DaaS combined with DEX can eliminate many daily IT frustrations for users (slow boot times, crashes, etc.). The result is higher productivity and happier employees.
  
  

• Meeting Sustainability and ESG Goals
  A notable advantage with ViadexOne’s approach is the alignment of DaaS with sustainability. 80% of organisations plan to align their workplace IT with sustainability goals by 2027, and ViadexOne’s zero-waste philosophy directly supports this. By extending device lifecycles through refurbishment, ensuring proper recycling, and avoiding unnecessary upgrades, the service helps reduce electronic waste. Clients can confidently report that their device management practice is contributing to ESG metrics – for example, fewer devices discarded, more recycled materials, and lower carbon impact by optimising shipping and consolidating suppliers. ViadexOne even provides data on the carbon impact of devices and offers an “Intelligent Refresh” service to refresh hardware only when analytics indicate it’s truly needed (as opposed to arbitrary refresh cycles). This ensures a balance between performance and sustainability.
  
  

• Security Built In
  Security is woven through ViadexOne’s DaaS. With global expertise and local support, they ensure compliance with local data protection regulations and safe data handling at every stage. All devices are delivered with corporate security policies in place (thanks to integration with endpoint management tools). When devices are taken back, strict data wipe standards (e.g., NIST-compliant erasure) are applied. This minimises the risk of data breaches from lost or retired devices – a critical consideration given that lost assets and unsecured disposals are a known blind spot for many companies.
  
  
  

Is DaaS Right for Your Organisation?

If managing devices is consuming too many resources, if your users are spread across multiple locations, or if you’re striving for more predictable IT costs, DaaS is certainly worth considering. It’s especially beneficial for mid-size companies up to large enterprises that want enterprise-grade device management without building a massive internal apparatus. Even smaller businesses with limited IT staff can benefit by essentially outsourcing device management to professionals.

The flexibility of DaaS can accommodate various industries – whether it’s a tech start-up needing to scale laptops quickly to new hires, a retail chain that requires uniform point-of-sale tablets across stores, or a corporation aiming to modernise its employee devices regularly without ballooning capital costs.

However, success with DaaS depends on choosing the right partner. Look for a provider with a proven track record, global capabilities if you need them, and one that offers customisable service tiers (so you can opt in to the support levels and device models you require). Evaluate SLAs carefully to ensure their promised response times and replacement logistics meet your business continuity needs. And consider the provider’s portal or management platform – a good DaaS solution will include an easy-to-use dashboard for your IT team to see your inventory, request service, and get reports on device usage and performance.

Device as a Service is revolutionising how organisations handle end-user computing. It combines the convenience of cloud-like service delivery with the tangible needs of hardware – giving you the best of both worlds: modern devices and minimal effort. The trend towards DaaS reflects a broader move to make IT more agile and user-centric. By adopting DaaS, companies can ensure every employee has the right tools to be productive, without the usual delays and downtime associated with device management. Analysts have noted that the DaaS model not only reduces costs but also helps enterprises navigate challenges like global device deployment and rapid tech changes.

If this sounds appealing, consider ViadexOne’s DaaS offering as part of its MDLS platform. With ViadexOne, you get a partner that can standardise your IT across geo-dispersed locations and deliver the right device to the right user at the right time. The end result is a more agile, productive, and cost-efficient workplace. Reach out to ViadexOne for a demo or consultation to see how Device as a Service could work for your organisation. By leveraging DaaS through ViadexOne, you’ll remove the pain and complexity from device management and gain a solution that grows and adapts with your business – all while keeping your users happy and your IT strategy on the cutting edge. Embrace the future of device management with DaaS, and let ViadexOne help you every step of the way.