16 Feb DAAS – The 3 biggest misconceptions
Have you considered implementing Device as a Service in your company? There are often misunderstandings about this solution. For example, have you ever wondered whether DAAS is the same as IT leasing? You are not alone. To better inform you about Device as a Service, we have listed the most common misconceptions.
- “There is no difference between IT leasing and DAAS”.
Although leasing is a part of DAAS, there is still a big difference to notice. So what is that difference? There are many services that come with Device as a Service, such as: configuration, repairs, maintenance, replacement and disposal of the devices. With these services, IT partners try to unburden their customers as much as possible. The trade-in service also makes DAAS different from IT leasing. This service allows you to reinvest the residual value of the (old) devices and your data is disposed of in a GDPR-proof manner.
- “The OPEX story is only interesting for financially weak organisations.”
Are you replacing the devices in your company every three to five years? That is quite an investment every time. With DAAS, you use an OPEX model, changing from a traditional hardware purchasing model to a model based on operational costs. What is the difference?
Operating Expenditures (OPEX) are recurring or operational costs. Hiring a consultant is a good example of OPEX. You hire the expertise you need at a pre-agreed hourly rate for a certain number of hours.
CAPEX are your capital expenditures. Think about investing in products. The purchase of devices for your employees falls under CAPEX.
Taking a printer as an example, the purchase (owning) falls under CAPEX and the annual costs for paper and ink under OPEX (using).
For some organisations, Device as a Service seems more like a solution for companies that are struggling financially and cannot fund the full amount of hardware at once. They consider DAAS as a lease model, but that’s not right.
Device as a Service is just that, a service. With DAAS you pay a monthly fee, but that fee includes hardware and services. Ultimately, it has nothing to do with the financial health of your organisation, but with the breathing space that you give to your IT team. Thanks to DAAS, your IT team can focus more on IT innovation, taking internal processes to a higher level.
- “There will be no work left if our organisation chooses DAAS”.
Purchasing and managing devices are time-consuming tasks within your IT team. To be exact: about 60%. This often results in a lack of time for analysis, review of internal processes or room for innovation. DAAS does indeed take over a portion of your workload: the IT partner takes care of the purchase, configuration, roll-out and maintenance of compute and mobile devices. But DAAS also frees up space so that you can focus on what is really important.
Deloitte conducted a study with organisations that use an XAAS solution. (XAAS: also called “Anything as a Service”. XAAS is the collective name for offering the use of an ICT product or service). This led to an important conclusion: by using an XAAS solution, organisations gain access to advanced features and technologies, innovate faster and focus more on their core business. In the survey, the vast majority indicated that XAAS has helped them with business processes, products/services and improving business models. Six out of ten even indicate that XAAS gives them a competitive advantage. Conclusion: you will certainly have enough work if your organisation chooses DAAS. Your workload will be somewhat different, but the most important thing is that you will be able to focus on important projects. Your way of working will change from reactive work to proactive work.