What is Device-as-a-Service & How Can It Benefit Businesses?
Managing one’s own IT infrastructure does come with its freedoms, but for many business owners, the high costs and responsibility of handling IT systems as well as staying technologically current can be a lot to deal with.
With that, one model that has become popular among businesses is Device-as-a-Service (DaaS). This offers owners a new way to reduce IT burdens with the help of external providers, be it managing multiple devices, licences, or tech support.
But what is Device as a Service, exactly? Let’s explore the DaaS model and how it can offer great value for a business.
What is Device-as-a-Service (DaaS)?
DaaS is a subscription-based model where businesses lease hardware (like laptops, desktops, or tablets) along with managed services, including maintenance, support, and lifecycle management, from an external vendor for a monthly fee.
Instead of buying hardware outright, you get what you need as a service, just like SaaS (Software-as-a-Service), but for devices. This offloading of assets frees up the internal resources you otherwise spend on managing the hardware yourself.
Why DaaS is growing in popularity
Being an “as-a-service” model, one of the reasons DaaS has grown popular is that it takes the burden of IT management off businesses, where outsourced providers instead handle the responsibility of setting up, maintaining, and upgrading devices.
Also, by sourcing needed hardware from providers, businesses get to convert capital expenditure (capEX) into operating expenditure (OpEx), freeing up funds spent on buying devices while enjoying predictable monthly costs and better financial flexibility. This also supports the demands of hybrid work by enabling companies to quickly roll out devices to employees across different locations.
As a whole, the outsourced support, predictable costs, and faster refresh cycles of DaaS make it an attractive option for businesses seeking both flexibility and sustainability.
Key benefits of Device-as-a-Service
Here are some reasons modern businesses are opting for DaaS, both in Malaysia and around the globe:
Reduced capital expenditure
With DaaS, you get to avoid the heavy upfront costs of buying new hardware as the subscription model spreads the expenses of devices into manageable monthly payments.
This shift from CapEx to OpEx keeps cash flow healthy and allows SMEs in particular to allocate funds to other priorities like marketing or expansion. For fast-growing companies, it also means IT resources can be scaled with much less financial strain.
Always up-to-date hardware
Through DaaS, external providers manage your hardware’s refresh cycles for you, ensuring your employees always have access to up-to-date hardware. This translates into stronger security, smoother performance, and tools that keep pace with modern applications. Plus, employees are less likely to face downtime or lag this way, boosting overall productivity.
IT support included
Many DaaS providers include end-to-end support, covering installation, proactive maintenance, and replacement units for faulty devices. This offloading reduces the internal IT burden while ensuring that any hardware issues are resolved quickly without disrupting business operations.
Predictable budgeting
DaaS plans come with fixed monthly payments, which turn otherwise unpredictable hardware expenses into stable, forecastable operating costs. With that, you can plan ahead more effectively and avoid surprise repair bills or emergency purchases, creating a smoother budgeting process.
More sustainable
Traditional hardware purchasing often leads to devices piling up in storage rooms or being discarded prematurely, especially for old and obsolete ones. DaaS follows a circular model where devices are repaired, refurbished, and eventually recycled. This reduces e-waste while maximising the lifespan of each unit.
For companies looking to align with ESG goals or simply reduce their environmental footprint, opting for DaaS is a practical step toward sustainable IT management.
Is DaaS right for your business?
While Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) is not a one-size-fits-all model, it’s especially valuable for companies that want to stay agile while keeping IT costs under control.
It’s well worth considering if:
- You need to scale your workforce up or down regularly, such as during peak seasons or project-based work.
- You have limited IT manpower and want to free your team from day-to-day device management.
- You prefer to shift IT spending from CapEx to OpEx for better cash flow and budget predictability.
- You require hardware that stays current and secure without the hassle of frequent upgrade cycles.
- You operate across multiple locations and need devices that can be deployed and supported consistently.
If one or more of these apply, DaaS could help streamline your IT operations while keeping costs manageable and your business agile.
Start scaling your IT setup with Smart Rental
Managing IT and device ownership can bring heavy upfront costs or complex ownership, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With DaaS and other subscription-based models, you can get the hardware you need with flexibility, scalability, and ongoing support.
If you’re ready to get your first taste of what DaaS might offer, consider our computer rental service at Smart Rental! Although we’re not a pure DaaS provider, our computer and laptop rentals in Malaysia offer many of the same advantages, like transparent monthly costs and regular ongoing support, to equip your teams with trusted hardware that grows with your business.
Start scaling today with our remanufactured devices, new computers and laptop rentals in Kuala Lumpur. We can help plan your next IT setup the smarter way.
FAQs
1. What is an example of DaaS?
One example of DaaS is a business subscribing to laptops from a provider on a monthly basis. Instead of buying the devices outright, the company pays a recurring fee that covers the hardware, maintenance, upgrades, and sometimes even security management. This provides the team with reliable, up-to-date devices without the business needing to handle ownership or lifecycle planning.
2. What is the difference between SaaS and DaaS?
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) delivers applications and tools like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or Zoom over the cloud, where businesses pay a subscription to access software without installing it on their own devices. It’s different from DaaS, which provides physical devices such as laptops, desktops, or tablets on a subscription basis.
In essence, SaaS gives you software access, while DaaS equips you with the hardware needed to run that software.
3. Is DaaS the same as computer rental?
Not exactly. DaaS typically bundles hardware, software, and full lifecycle management into one subscription package. Computer rental focuses on providing the hardware itself, often with flexible terms and optional support services.
Even so, for many businesses in Malaysia, rental plans offer many of the same benefits as DaaS, like predictable monthly costs, scalable options, and maintenance support. It’s a good way to get started with leasing hardware without the complexity of a full DaaS contract.