SMBs to Benefit from DaaS Solution from NComputing

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Like most companies, small to midsize businesses (SMBs) are on the lookout to save money and simplify complexities of day-to-day tasks. Many SMBs already have a small (or non-existent) IT staff, so creating efficiencies in workflows and access to information for employees is often not top of mind. However, the increasing role of desktop virtualization in the enterprise is spreading to include those smaller businesses and can help with efforts toward increased efficiency.

Today, client virtualization company NComputing announced that it will provide a new desktop as a service (DaaS) solution to select service providers around the U.S. and other countries. In fact, the first provider to offer the DaaS solution to SMBs is So-net Corporation, a member of the Sony group, which is located in Japan.

The idea behind DaaS is that a cloud service provider hosts the virtual desktop service. Access is subscription based and the provider manages the infrastructure at their facility. The SMB is not required to purchase further infrastructure for the service—current desktops can be used or NComputing can provide thin clients for lease through the provider.

In a briefing, Dave Burton, vice president of global marketing for NComputing, said that the solution makes sense for many SMBs. “It meets SMBs’ different requirements. Some have limited budgets, fewer IT resources and skill sets and some are looking for a simpler way to leverage virtualization in their business,” said Burton.

Ananth Appathurai, vice president of global business development and alliances for NComputing, explained that though the DaaS solution is for PCs, the company also has another product coming soon that will provide a more cloud-like experience. “We do have a solution that delivers applications and files to tablets, which is a workspace solution or workspace as a service [WaaS]. It is in Beta right now, but coming in June,” Appathurai said. The service, called oneSpace, can provide added service for employees who require mobile access. “DaaS can be implemented and then extended later to include WaaS, which provides access to files and is not only limited to Windows. It can also provide access to web-based apps,” Burton added.

The services are a good fit for SMBs, which have been on NComputing’s radar for some time. The company identified the market segment as largely untapped and having nearly 400 million desktops in use. NComputing is in the works with several U.S.-based service providers, so these solutions may be available soon at a provider near you.