PC as a Service: Modernising Device Management

When was the last time you heard someone in your office complain about their computer? If you’re like most business leaders, it was probably this morning. Perhaps it was Sarah from accounts, mentioning her laptop takes ten minutes to open a spreadsheet, or the new graduate trainee asking if there’s anything faster than the ancient desktop they’ve been assigned. Meanwhile, your IT team is quietly dreading the upcoming budget meeting where they’ll need to justify a six-figure computer refresh that seems to come around more frequently each year.

Recent market research indicates that the PC as a Service (PCaaS) market is projected to reach $124 billion by the end of this year, and grow at an impressive 43.35% annually to reach $750.59 billion by 2030. This incremental  growth reflects a fundamental shift in how businesses are rethinking their relationship with technology.

The driving force behind this transformation? The reality of modern work itself. Hybrid job postings have surged from just 9% in Q1 2023 to nearly a quarter (24%) of new positions at the start of 2025. Fresh data from the U.S. Census Bureau confirms that thirty-one percent of U.S. businesses now have at least one employee working remotely full-time. When your workforce is scattered across home offices, co-working spaces and traditional offices, the old approach of buying a fleet of computers and hoping for the best simply doesn’t cut it any more.

Enter PC as a Service (PCaaS), the solution that’s transforming end-user computing from a necessary headache into a strategic advantage.

What is PC as a Service?

PCaaS is a device lifecycle management model that fundamentally shifts IT spending from significant capital expenditure (CapEx) to predictable operating expenditure (OpEx). Instead of facing those dreaded budget conversations about £100,000 computer refreshes every few years, you pay a consistent monthly fee per device that covers everything. It’s budgeting made simple, and the numbers often work out in your favour; studies suggest that comprehensive PCaaS solutions can cut lifecycle costs by up to 25% through optimised management and regular refreshes.

But here’s what really matters: under a PCaaS arrangement, your employees always have up-to-date technology. No more watching talented team members struggle with computers that take five minutes to boot up. The service includes regular hardware refresh cycles, ensuring that no one is left with an ancient workstation that sounds like a jet engine when it starts up. When devices reach a certain age or performance threshold, they’re automatically swapped out for newer models as part of the subscription.

This isn’t just about having shiny new gadgets (though your team will undoubtedly appreciate that). Modern devices mean better security, as older PCs with outdated operating systems are vulnerable to cyber threats. And research shows that employees lose approximately 39.8 minutes daily due to obsolete technology. That’s roughly 21 working days per employee annually, with over a third requesting updated resources at least once monthly. PCaaS prevents that productivity drain by keeping your device estate modern and standardised.

Key Benefits of PCaaS for Businesses

Simplified IT operations

Let’s be honest: managing a fleet of computers isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, and it’s not what your highly qualified IT pros are meant to be spending any time on. PCaaS providers take on the “heavy lifting” of device management, transforming what used to be a constant juggling act into a streamlined process. Provisioning new starters, installing software, patching operating systems, and monitoring device health all become managed services.

This transformation really boosts your IT teams' productivity. Instead of juggling urgent calls about frozen screens or forgotten passwords, they can focus on projects that truly make a difference for your business. Adopting Device-as-a-Service models, like PC-as-a-Service (PCaaS), can lighten the IT load by about 16%, allowing the vendor to handle routine device support tasks. This gives your team the time and energy to dive into exciting areas like digital transformation, cybersecurity initiatives, or any strategic projects that might have taken a back seat while overcoming tech hiccups.

Predictable costs and financial flexibility

CFOs really appreciate PCaaS, and it’s easy to see why! It transforms those unpredictable tech expenses into reliable monthly payments, making budgeting a breeze. Traditional PC buying can feel like a wild roller coaster ride—big spending followed by years of calm, then suddenly, another hefty bill when it's time to replace everything at once. But with PCaaS, you can smooth out those ups and downs into a manageable subscription fee. 

The flexibility goes beyond just keeping your budget in check. When you need to bring new team members on board, it’s as simple as increasing your subscription rather than scrambling to find available devices or making last-minute purchases. Plus, if your team size changes, scaling back is just as easy—no more worrying about what to do with excess equipment. Many organisations realise they’ve been missing out by spending too much on gear that isn’t fully utilised. 

In fact, studies by Cognizant show that companies often spend only 30% of their endpoint costs on the actual hardware, while the remaining 70% goes toward management overheads. Through PCaaS, you can streamline those costs and usually get better value, thanks to economies of scale and specialised expertise.

Continuous refresh and enhanced performance

Remember the excitement of getting a new computer? PCaaS brings that feeling back to the workplace through regular technology refresh cycles, typically every three years. Your employees receive modern PCs on schedule, benefiting from faster processors, increased memory, and updated software capabilities.

The productivity impact extends beyond reducing human frustration. Modern devices mean fewer IT tickets, less downtime, and teams that can actually focus on their work rather than wrestling with sluggish technology. When devices do fail, PCaaS providers typically offer next-business-day replacement as standard, minimising disruption.

Many providers go further, using proactive monitoring to spot potential issues before they affect users. This predictive approach enables preventative maintenance and near-zero downtime, moving away from the traditional reactive model of simply waiting for problems to arise. It’s all about empowering your team with the tools they need to thrive.

Scalability and agility

Whether your company is experiencing rapid growth, managing seasonal workforce fluctuations, or adapting to the new reality of hybrid work, PCaaS provides unprecedented agility. You can effortlessly adjust the number of devices according to your workforce needs, avoiding the burden of unused hardware collecting dust in storage.

For companies with a global presence, this flexibility is especially crucial. Leading PCaaS providers can deploy devices worldwide, ensuring consistent standards, configuration, and support. This means you can simplify your operations by eliminating the hassle of coordinating with multiple local suppliers, while guaranteeing that your remote team in Birmingham receives the same exceptional service as your headquarters in London. 

Enhanced Security and Compliance

Cybersecurity isn’t optional any more, and choosing PCaaS can really give your security a boost. With this service, you can relax knowing that every device is consistently updated with the latest security patches and antivirus software, automatically. Many providers also offer handy features like device encryption, remote wipe capabilities for those "oh no!" moments with lost or stolen gear, and secure disposal methods. 

One aspect that deserves extra mention is how devices are handled when they reach the end of their lifecycle. PCaaS providers take care of everything by ensuring certified data wiping is done, and that devices are recycled or refurbished responsibly, eliminating the risk of sensitive data exposure from forgotten hard drives. Plus, it’s a great way to support sustainability, which is becoming more and more important for organisations wanting to show their commitment to our planet.

PCaaS vs. Traditional PC Procurement

Traditional computer procurement often resembles organised chaos. Large capital purchases every few years, followed by frantic imaging and deployment sessions, asset tracking through increasingly complex spreadsheets, and juggling multiple warranties and repair processes. Many organisations end up with a mixed estate; some devices forgotten in cupboards, others limping along far past their useful life, and inconsistent configurations that create support nightmares.

PCaaS transforms this entire paradigm. All devices come through one programme, managed consistently from deployment to retirement. There's a single point of contact for any device issue or request, and the service model incentivises providers to maintain high performance. After all, their reputation depends on keeping your devices running smoothly.

This alignment of interests often delivers superior service levels that would be prohibitively expensive to achieve in-house. Features like 24/7 support, immediate device swaps and proactive monitoring become standard rather than luxury additions. One Dell study found that customers using PCaaS experienced up to 50% less help desk effort and 30% lower support costs through standardisation and outsourcing of PC fleet management.

The key lies in choosing a reputable provider, as you're entrusting them with a critical component of your IT infrastructure. Essential considerations include device variety (ensuring you can match hardware to user needs), robust Service Level Agreements for support and replacement, proven security practices, and demonstrated ability to scale with your business requirements.

ViadexOne’s PCaaS Value Proposition 

With ViadexOne, we make managing your PCs easier and more efficient than ever with our PC-as-a-Service (PCaaS) through our Managed Device Lifecycle Services (MDLS). Our approach blends all the traditional PCaaS benefits with smart digital employee experience monitoring and a strong focus on sustainability. Simply put, our PCaaS is “DaaS or PCaaS, but smarter, simpler, and more sustainable!” When you partner with us at ViadexOne, you’ll enjoy:  

Complete Lifecycle Coverage 

From procurement to end-of-life, we take care of everything, so you don’t have to. This means we handle the strategic sourcing of devices using our global supply chain expertise, swiftly deploy them to your team anywhere in the world, and provide proactive monitoring and support to tackle any issues as they pop up. And when it’s time for an upgrade, we securely recover and recycle the devices. 

Proactive and AI-Driven Management 

We’ve teamed up with industry leader Nexthink to bring you intelligent tools that provide real-time insights into how your devices are performing and how your employees are experiencing their tech. This proactive approach helps us shift from just reacting to problems to predicting and preventing them, ensuring a smoother experience for your users and allowing your IT team to work more efficiently. 

Global Reach with Local Support

With over 25 years in the IT game and coverage in more than 190 countries, our PCaaS offering is available to you no matter where you operate. Need support in a remote location? No problem! Even with our global reach, you’ll still get local, personalised service, a key aspect for multinational companies looking for consistent quality in device service everywhere.

Sustainability and “Zero Waste”

At ViadexOne, we genuinely care about the planet. And our “Zero Waste” philosophy is holistic, which means we aim to eliminate waste in IT by avoiding wasted time, licenses and underutilised gadgets. We refresh hardware only when necessary, and, when it’s time to part with an old device, we ensure it’s repurposed or securely recycled. By aligning device lifecycle management with your sustainability goals, we can help you reach your targets faster. In fact, 80% of tech leaders plan to align their IT tools with sustainability goals by 2027. Join us in making a positive impact! 

PCaaS is changing the game for how companies equip their workforce. It creates a win-win: employees enjoy better technology and support, while IT departments and finance leaders gain better control over costs and experience fewer headaches. This model is perfect for organisations that want to stay agile, optimise their IT budgets, and ensure their teams have the best tools for productivity. 

If you’re ready to take the leap and modernise how you deploy and manage PCs, now’s a great time to explore PCaaS. ViadexOne’s tailored solution can help you deploy, monitor, optimise and refresh your entire PC estate with ease. Don’t let old PCs and inefficient processes slow your business down. Embrace the future of workplace computing with PCaaS.

Reach out to us at ViadexOne today to discover how our friendly PCaaS offering can empower your IT team and employees alike. We’d love to set up a free demo for you to see everything in action. By choosing the right partner, you can turn your PC infrastructure into a strategic asset and make it a breeze to manage.