This document discusses virtual desktop computing and compares two deployment models: Desktop as a Service (DaaS) and on-premises Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). It outlines the key benefits of virtual desktop computing such as enhanced security, mobility, and management. It then defines and compares DaaS and VDI, noting that DaaS offers lower upfront costs but higher ongoing costs, while VDI has higher upfront setup but lower ongoing maintenance costs. It also discusses next-generation virtual workspace solutions that go beyond traditional VDI and DaaS models.

1. C L O U D
AN ASG WHITE PAPER
BY DAVID ROTH, DIRECTOR OF CLOUD PRODUCT MARKETING
VIRTUAL DESKTOP COMPUTING:
VDI, DAAS, AND BEYOND

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VIRTUAL DESKTOP COMPUTING: VDI, DAAS, AND BEYOND
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary ............................................................ 3
Virtual Desktop Computing ................................................. 4
Deployment of Virtual Desktops ......................................... 6
Comparing Daas and On-premises VDI ............................... 7-8
The Next Big Innovator in Virtual Desktop Computing ........9

3. 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Everything published in terms of the rapid adoption of cloud services assumes that
the benefits are obvious and the ideal solution to migrate to is clear. But with so many
players in the cloud market offering different products and managed service features
and benefits, there’s no “one” blanket solution that a company should adopt. Plus,
when referring to such a rapidly-innovating industry where each provider is doing their
best to differentiate themselves, it’s a challenge to get all marketers on the same page
regarding terminology and comparison standards. Although, creating such clarity
would help with market education and allow for faster decision-making.
This type of market confusion doesn’t only exist on a macro level, but also when trying
to compare service types that you’d think would be apples-to-apples, like VDI and DaaS.
Even though they are two different models for deploying essentially the same thing
—virtual desktop computing—a comparison doesn’t create a blanket solution to be
adopted by all. You still have to weigh your business needs and goals, along with your
existing technology investments, when trying to decide to adopt one or the other, or
neither, for that matter.
In this whitepaper I outline key benefits of virtual desktop computing, then simplify the
definitions of the two deployment models, including business drivers for adopting each.
There’s also a side-by-side chart included that compares the different technologies
and business needs that each deployment model suffices. Then, since innovation never
rests, I’ve included some insights on where some software vendors have expanded
upon the value of virtual desktop computing to deliver even more productivity and
efficiency-enhancing solutions.

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VIRTUAL DESKTOP COMPUTING: VDI, DAAS, AND BEYOND
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VIRTUAL DESKTOP COMPUTING
Virtual desktop computing (whether VDI or DaaS deployed) essentially takes the “desktop”
out of the local office and puts it in the cloud. This includes your applications and data;
everything that you’d normally do on your local desktop is now run in the cloud (within a
datacenter) and served to your endpoint device via the Internet.
Virtual desktop computing allows network administrators to centrally manage each
employee’s virtual client machines, allowing greater options in managing, deploying,
and securing applications and data network-wide. For the end user, a virtual desktop
experience allows for “anytime/anywhere” access to a familiar computing experience.
Instead of the user’s data being stored on their individual device, it’s stored on secure,
managed servers in the cloud. Therefore, with a simple, proprietary login the end-user
has access to the same information and user experience from any device, with the
reassurance that their data is securely backed up in the cloud.
Anytime/Anywhere Access to Vital Business Tools and Data
Anytime/anywhere access to your data from a consistent user-experience is more than
just industry-speak. Aside from data security, anytime/anywhere access results in a real
translatable business benefit. Benefits such as real-time access to the same “synched”
information on any device including desktops, laptops, tablets, smart phones, and/or
public computers. Employees use their proprietary login to view the same familiar desktop
user-experience on any device. This gives them access to all their vital business tools such
as their email account complete with received, sent, filed, archived emails, plus any task
lists, etc., as if they were on their main PC (i.e. Microsoft Outlook client). It will also give
them anytime/anywhere access to their approved business applications, folders and files
they’ve saved and/or archived. Since the user’s profile, including their applications and
data, are saved on the secure servers in the cloud, they’re accessible from any desired
device.
Efficient, Centralized Management by Network Administrators
Central management of employees’ virtual desktops provides for efficient and effective
monitoring and management of performance and device functionality. Instead of physically
traveling to each individual machine, or asking your staff to break away from their core
responsibilities to perform application and security updates, IT is able to update one
“base” image which automatically updates all client machines within the organization.
This not only saves time, allowing your technical resources to focus on more business
strategic efforts, but it also helps avoid hardware and software inconsistencies, greatly
diminishes human error, and ensures greater data security.
Enhanced Data Security
Even though saving time means saving money, the enhanced data security inherent
with virtual desktop computing is arguably its biggest benefit. By hosting the end-users’
desktop image (the end-users’ applications and data) in a data center, instead of on the
actual device, businesses are able to protect the end-user from jeopardizing sensitive
business data. In the event of a lost, stolen, or destroyed device, no data is lost or
compromised since it isn’t saved on the actual device, but instead remains backed up in a
secure data center where it can be accessed from a different device via a secure user-
specific login.

5. 5
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Functionality
Employees will still need a physical device to access their virtual desktop, but they can
now use their device(s) of preference for their required daily functions while working
from home or office, presenting to clients, or staying current on emails or industry
news while on the go. Because the user’s data isn’t stored on the actual device and
it doesn’t need to do any processing, it doesn’t need to abide by any special technical
requirements.
Some organizations choose to supply less expensive devices called “thin clients”
that last longer than traditional computers, or they allow employees to use their own
device/s of choice, including tablets and smart phones. Since all of the computing and
processing is done in the cloud all you need is a device that functions well enough to
run the connection software and has adequate endpoint protection (i.e. firewall, anti-
virus, etc.). Since only a picture of the desktop and keyboard/mouse strokes are being
transferred, the device will just need an Internet connection. Removing the compute
and processing functions from the end-point device results in less individual device
maintenance (conserving IT’s time and avoiding end-user downtime) and extends the
life of the actual end-point device being used (lower capex of replacing laptops).
The cost of
maintaining PCs
more than three
years old is between
$326 USD and $401
USD per PC.
-from a global survey conducted by
Techaisle on cost of maintaining PCs
conducted across small, medium
and large businesses spanning eight
countries including the US, UK, Italy,
Brazil, India, China and Australia.
BENEFITS OF VIRTUAL DESKTOP COMPUTING
Enhanced End-User Experience
ƒƒ Anytime/anywhere end-user access to the same, synched information from
any device—desktop, laptop, tablet, smart phone—via individual employee
logins
ƒƒ Enable end-users to use their own preferred devices with the same, superior
computing experience
Improved Data Security
ƒƒ Reassurance that your data is secure, and isn’t susceptible to being lost
or compromised as it would if it were stored on employee’s individual
devices
Reduced desktop management complexity
ƒƒ Efficient management of virtual desktops – set up new desktops in minutes
instead of hours, quick deployment of new software or virus fixes.
ƒƒ Eliminate need for data migration when repairing or swapping hardware and/
or user devices
Reduced technology costs
ƒƒ Efficient application deployment and fewer end-user tech support calls
ƒƒ Supply less expensive and more efficient thin clients
ƒƒ Decreased personnel costs with less labor-intensive management and
maintenance

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DEPLOYMENT OF VIRTUAL DESKTOPS
There are multiple deployment models for delivering virtual desktops, but in the
simplest of terms virtual desktops can either be deployed in an on-premises data
center or in the cloud. Though the end-user experience is essentially the same, the
means in which the environment is hosted and managed is very different, and requires
very different personnel and monetary investments. The key difference between the
deployment models is where the data is hosted and who manages the environment in
which the virtual desktops run and are maintained.
On-Premises Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
The practice of hosting virtual desktops within a virtual machine (VM) running on
an organization’s own centralized server, and typically housed within a data center
maintained and managed by the organization’s own engineers, is referred to as Virtual
Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). In a VDI implementation the desktop images are accessed
over a network using a remote desktop protocol. A connection-brokering service is
used to connect users to their designated desktop session. VDI refers to the software,
hardware, and other resources required for the virtualization of the desktop system.
VDI gave way to the original virtual desktop deployment in 2005. Since then, the practice
of deploying virtual desktops has been further perfected and enhanced with a variety of
additional deployment models, such as Cloud-Hosted Virtual Desktops or Desktop-as-
a-Service (DaaS).
Hosted Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS)
The DaaS deployment model differs from an on-premises VDI model in that the
virtual desktops are hosted and delivered by a Cloud Service Provider (CSP or SP) that
manages and maintains the customer’s virtualized environment hosted and backed
up in the SP’s data centers. Since the virtual desktops are delivered via a hosted cloud
model, DaaS takes infrastructure management duties out of IT’s responsibilities. By
taking advantage of an existing infrastructure where an SP maintains the compute,
load balancing, storage infrastructure, applications and application software licenses,
a customer can expect a higher level of automation and a lower up-front investment.
Service Providers typically offer Service Level Agreements (SLAs) outlining high
availability, redundancy, optimized power, and other features like remote replication
for data protection. DaaS deployments can be provided through a public cloud, private
cloud, and hybrid cloud platform, depending on the customer’s business requirements.
Hosted desktops make sense if your organization already relies on Web-based
applications, or if your organization has security issues with shadow IT (employees
using non-compliant web applications to save company data). Business users benefit
from a DaaS deployment because they typically have quicker onboarding or access
to newly requested applications. Since desktop management is off-loaded to the SP,
other IT maintenance or more strategic technology requests typically have a quicker
response time from the organization’s IT team.

7. 7
Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) On-premises VDI
Deployment Complexity Centralized management consoles provide
for customized control and simple setup and
deployment. Service Provider manages and
maintains infrastructure.
Complex, labor-intensive infrastructure setup of
data center servers and virtual servers requiring
specialized expertise.
Setup Investment Architecture and the service is purchased
on a subscription basis, requiring no upfront
infrastructure investment.
Can be cost-prohibitive in terms of budget and
staffing due to high upfront capital investment and
maintenance.
Ongoing Costs Monthly subscription cost per user and
applications used.
No infrastructure management or maintenance
costs since the SP handles all the back-end
infrastructure costs including data storage,
upgrades, security and backup.
End-user cost of maintaining each endpoint
device is reduced since processing is off-loaded
to the SP’s server environment.
Consolidation and reduced upgrade cycles
minimizes hardware costs for server and client
side equipment, although ongoing infrastructure
maintenance costs are much greater than DaaS.
Endpoint device maintenance is also reduced, much
like it is with DaaS.
Data Security Remote replication for protecting data. No data is
stored on the actual device used.
Data is replicated in the data center. Also, keeping
data within the confines of the organization’s own
data center improves security.
Ease of Maintenance SP manages patching and application installation
or streaming, therefore off-loading any load to
the organization’s network and IT admin team.
Infrastructure maintenance (e.g. load balancing
and network issues) is also taken care of by the
SP.
Perform centralized patching and application
installation or streaming minimizing load to the
organization’s network. However, the organization’s
IT personnel are still responsible for performing
maintenance.
Mobile Workforce End-users can access their desktops from any
location or device with an Internet connection.
End-users can access their desktops from any
location or device with an Internet connection.
Device support Any operating system or device with an Internet
connection is supported.
Any operating system or device with an Internet
connection is supported.
Comparing DaaS and On-premises VDI

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Comparing DaaS and On-premises VDI
Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) On-premises VDI
Business Continuity Provider can quickly spin up desktops to users
on any device, providing for a more flexible
environment than VDI.
Also provides flexibility and agility for a business
environment, but is dependent on internal IT team’s
availability and response time.
Latency Desktops are delivered over a remote connection,
so some latency is possible.
Network concerns of DaaS are often
unwarranted, because cloud-hosted desktops are
connected to the corporate environment through
a private connection.
VDI deployments are behind an organization’s
firewall which in general can cause some latency
issues. However, connectivity primarily depends on
the organization’s bandwidth.
Resource Pooling Server based computing improves a company’s
ability to use resources as a common pool. SP
manages the infrastructure allowing maximum
scaling at peak times.
Server-based computing improves a company’s
ability to use resources as a common pool. The data
center infrastructure and hardware is procured and
managed by the organization’s IT team.
Admin Control and
Visibility
If customer desires to manage the environment
(e.g. deploy new user desktop instances on
their own), depending on the provider’s product
capabilities end-user management and reporting
is possible via a centralized management
console. Otherwise these duties can also be off-
loaded to the SP.
Admin has full control and management
responsibilities. Depending on tools selected end-
user management is possible with varying degrees
of difficulty.
Software Licensing Software licenses are provisioned and paid for on
a monthly basis either federated through the SP,
or provisioned directly from the software vendor.
Software licenses are purchased by user and
managed by the IT team.
Provisioning of additional
strategic technology
needs
SPs typically offer other value-added hosting
services in addition to DaaS (e.g. backup, dev/test
environs, VoIP, a portfolio of popular business
applications) that customers can easily provision
or de-provision for a predictable monthly cost.
Additional infrastructure or application needs
require re-allocation of personnel resources and
CapEx/OpEx, which requires management approval.
This extends the time to deploy while the business
unit waits.

9. 9
With ASG CloudFactory,
technology teams
now not only have the
ability to deploy and
manage virtual desktop
workspaces, but they
can also provision and
manage public and
private cloud virtual
servers, storage, and
compute cycles – all
from one centralized
management console.
THE NEXT BIG INNOVATOR IN
VIRTUAL DESKTOP COMPUTING
Even with all the benefits and accolades that virtual desktop computing receives, no
matter if deployed on-premises or within an SP’s cloud, innovation never stops! Within
the last year, select providers have enhanced the end-user experience and technology
management features of their DaaS offerings so much so that another re-categorization
of the traditional virtual desktop solution is required - a next-generation solution, if
you will.
Where traditional VDI and DaaS deployments leave off with their centrally-managed
Windows operating systems, Virtual Workspaces take off. Virtual Workspaces include,
but go far beyond, the traditional benefits of DaaS: end-user access to apps/data
from anywhere with any device, data loss protection, and cost-effective, centralized
management by IT.
Driven by the need to expedite market adoption, software development vendors have
reengineered the UI/UX of their Virtual Workspaces, or WebTops, to be more closely
aligned with the traditional desktop experience already familiar to the average business
worker. This evolution greatly decreases the already relatively flat learning curve
required for end-users to start utilizing the additional productivity features available in
Virtual Workspaces. Some enhanced functionalities also offer user customization of the
view and tools used on their workspace view.
Advanced Virtual Workspaces offer the end-user an e-commerce type of online store
to provision applications that their IT team has made available to them. The user
simply selects the required application and it is then deployed into their Workspace
in an automated fashion without involving IT. This automation relieves IT of excess
installation work cycles and ensures that the business has quick and easy access to
applications that IT has deemed secure and compliant. If a required application isn’t
currently available within the organization’s application store, the best workspace
software solutions have a streamlined process for provisioning and deploying most all
applications in an expedited manner.

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Perhaps the most impressive enhancement driving the requirement for an entirely new
classification of virtual workspaces is the provisioning workflows and the integration
of the infrastructure stack within the back-end IT management console. IT now not
only has the ability to configure, deploy and manage virtual desktop instances from
one centralized management console, but they can also provision and manage flexible
public or private cloud infrastructure services (virtual servers, storage, and compute
cycles) from the single console as well.
Such an end-to-end solution is currently only available from ASG Software Solutions.
ASG CloudFactory and its cutting edge IaaS and SaaS management tools,
ASG-CloudRobot and ASG-CloudShaper, combined with its one-of-a-kind virtual
workspace, ASG-CloudCockpit, integrates seamlessly with existing public or private
cloud infrastructure deployments. This allows organizations continued leverage of their
existing IT investments, rather than requiring a rip-and-replace. ASG CloudFactory’s
automated workflows and ITIL compliance provide a secure and efficient technology
environment where end-users have quick access to the tools they need, and IT has the
control and oversight they need. Unlike Citrix, VMware, and Microsoft technologies,
ASG CloudFactory addresses today’s three key IT needs – Application Delivery, Self-
Service Provisioning and Automated Deployments and Management of all Data Center
Resources – in one integrated solution.
ASG also allows for flexible integration points and deployment models with its
ASG CloudFactory solution. Customers can host their employee’s workspaces and
the company’s application CloudStore within their own data center that they manage,
or they can choose to purchase the managed services from one of ASG’s selection of
Service Provider partners who host, monitor and manage the environment for the
end-customer.

11. 11
ABOUT ASG
ASG Software Solutions connects sophistication and experience with agility and
technological efficiency through its vendor-agnostic cloud, content and systems solutions.
ASG helps companies solve today’s most pressing business issues including reducing
operating costs, enhancing workforce productivity, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
More than 70 percent of global Fortune 500 companies trust ASG to optimize their
existing IT investments. Founded in 1986, ASG is a global company headquartered in
Naples, Florida, USA.

12. ASG Software Solutions - Worldwide Headquarters
708 Goodlette Road North Naples, Florida USA 34102
Tel: + 1 239 435 2200 | +1 800 932 5536
© 2015 Allen Systems Group, Inc.
All products mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
www.asg.com
ASG-Virtual_Desktop_Computing_White_Paper_20141215en