Device as a Service (DaaS) or leasing? What’s the difference?
Computer leasing and new subscription models known as Device as a Service (DaaS), are two rental models that are becoming increasingly popular among businesses looking for flexible and financially efficient IT solutions for their employees. Why choose DaaS or laptop leasing services over a traditional purchase? Simple: DaaS and leasing offer affordable prices and numerous other benefits, such as faster upgrade cycles for advanced and updated technologies, which translates into increased productivity. Let’s take a closer look at what these two services offer and the differences between them, laying out the benefits they can bring to businesses.
The rise of new purchasing models
Businesses are used to purchasing and owning their IT devices, assuming responsibility for maintenance, upgrades and of course disposal once the device has reached the end of its useful life. Today, more and more companies are beginning to realise that, given the fast-changing nature of modern businesses, there is more than one way to keep businesses productive and competitive with the latest technology and devices. Notably, in the past few years, continuous technological evolution and the new dynamics of remote and hybrid work have pushed companies to switch to different purchasing solutions, such as Device as a Service (DaaS) and computer leasing. These long term computer rental models are ideal for companies looking for a competitive edge and that want to keep in-step with the times.
Device as a Service: definition and benefits
Although computer leasing and Device as a Service are based on the same logic, that is, the possibility of obtaining complete hardware and software packages for an affordable subscription rate, the philosophy behind DaaS differentiates from leasing.
What is DaaS? DaaS stands for “Device as a Service”. Simply put, it is a computer rental service that provides complete technological solutions for businesses, allowing the use of hardware, accessories, software, maintenance, help desk and updates in exchange for a predictable monthly fee. Thus by-passing the up-front costs that each of these purchases would entail.
The DaaS subscription model is more than just a different procurement solution, it also comes with a variety of services to optimise work flows and product life cycles. Here are just some of the benefits:
- No Ownership: with a DaaS subscription, you do not own the hardware and only pay for the equipment you use and need.
- Predictable billing: DaaS offers greater control and predictability of costs, as all related devices and services are combined into a single payment.
- Contractual flexibility: with DaaS, you are free to modify your contract to keep up with technological advancements and adapt to the evolving needs of your business.
- Simplified management of all life cycle phases: Obsolescence is a thing of the past – DaaS provides high-performance devices and deals with procurement, maintenance, and assistance. Device disposal is also taken care of, just send your products back at the end of the contract and they will be properly dismantled, recycled, and in some cases reused.
- Increased resource efficiency: DaaS lowers the strain on your IT department, allowing a greater focus on business goals rather than device management.
Leasing: definition and benefits
While DaaS is an all-around service solution, leasing is a financial solution for the rental of hardware and software packages at an affordable monthly rate price. At the end of the leasing period, you can choose to extend the contract, carry out a technological renewal of your old hardware, return the devices and contribute to a greener circular economy, or – unlike DaaS – buy them for a reduced amount. This latter option is the main reason for choosing leasing.
