Have you heard of DaaS?

It is different from the currently popular SaaS, and DaaS is a system that migrates the desktop environment to the cloud and allows you to operate it from various devices.

Similar to DaaS is the thin client.

A thin client is a system that allows you to view a desktop environment, even if it is not on the cloud, from various devices.

Both DaaS and thin clients can be used from a variety of devices, making them extremely convenient systems.

In this article, we will explain the differences between DaaS and thin clients, looking at their merits and demerits.

1.What is a thin client?

A thin client is a system in which software and applications are processed on a server, rather than on a PC. Since software and applications are processed on a server, the PC specifications can be kept to a minimum, and furthermore, since the processing is done on the server without leaving any data on the PC, there is no need to worry about information leaks.

Merits of thin clients

The merits of using thin clients are as follows.

High security

Thin clients process all data on an in-house server, so data cannot be taken outside the company. Therefore, in terms of information leakage, they are highly stable. Because information cannot be taken outside the company, hospitals and public institutions that handle a lot of personal information often use thin clients.

Work from anywhere

Thin clients can be connected from multiple designated devices, not just one computer. Therefore, while when using a server, you could only work from a designated location or computer, with a thin client you can work from anywhere.

Demerits of thin clients

The demerits of using thin clients are as follows:

Server needs to be managed

Naturally, thin clients run on a server, so the server needs to be managed. To manage the server, a server administrator is generally required, and if your company already has a server administrator on staff, there’s no problem, but if you do not have such server administrator, you will need to hire one. This can result in higher costs than expected. If you use thin clients, it is recommended for a company that has a server administrator. If you do not have a server administrator, it’s a good idea to use DaaS.

Vulnerable to disasters

Needing a server means being vulnerable to natural disasters. The reason is simple: if the server is damaged by an earthquake or lightning, you will not be able to use thin clients. If this happens, you will not be able to connect to the server, let alone the thin client, and will not be able to perform any work. If business cannot continue in this way, the survival of the company will be at risk, so it is important to take measures to ensure that business can continue.

Server administrators must always be in the office

When introducing teleworking with thin clients, the fatal flaw is that server administrators, such as information system personnel, must always be in the office.

Also read ➤ Why thin clients are outdated: Explanation of the demertis

2.What is DaaS?

DaaS is an abbreviation for Desktop as a Service, and it is easy to understand if you think of it as a cloud-based desktop environment. The system creates a desktop environment on the cloud, and devices directly access the desktop environment on the cloud. This desktop environment also exists for Windows OS, and with DaaS for Windows OS, you can use the Windows environment on the cloud, making it a very convenient system for people who want to use a Windows environment on the go.

Also worth reading: What is DaaS?

Merits of DaaS

The merits of DaaS are as follows:

No need to manage servers

DaaS runs in a cloud environment, so there is no need to manage servers. It’s not a problem if you have an IT specialist in-house, but if you do not have one, it can be quite a hassle to manage a server. Even if you try to hire a new IT specialist, you may not be able to do so right away, and you may not even be able to hire one at all. Therefore, if you do not have a person in-house who can manage servers, such as an IT specialist, not having to manage the server is a big merit. Also, even if you have a server in-house, being able to use the cloud environment without allocating server resources is a merit.

The terminals that can be connected are not fixed

DaaS has a system where you log in with a password, so you can basically connect to the DaaS environment from any terminal. For example, if your child suddenly becomes ill and you have to take time off work, you can work from your computer at home or easily connect from a computer shared within the company, allowing for flexible working styles.

Easy to scale up

With thin clients, scaling up is not as easy as adding more physical servers or memory. However, with DaaS, you can get help immediately by simply contacting the company (cloud vendor) providing the DaaS. There is a cost associated with this. Whereas it would take about a month to implement with a thin client, DaaS can be completed in less than a week. The ease of scaling up allows you to focus on your main business, leading to improved business efficiency.

Demerits of DaaS

The demerits of DaaS are as follows.

Depends on the Internet environment

DaaS is a cloud service, so it will not work in places where the Internet environment is not in place. Therefore, it may not be possible to use it in places where there is no Internet connection, such as in the mountains or on the sea. If you want to sign up for DaaS, be sure to check whether you have an Internet connection.

Security

Security is not lax, but since the DaaS environment is provided by the cloud vendor, security is dependent on the cloud vendor. In terms of virus infection, etc., 24-hour data center monitoring and password encryption are thoroughly implemented, so it can be said that it is quite safe. However, the fact that you cannot strengthen security by yourself may be a demerit.

3.Background of the popularity of thin clients and DaaS

So far, we have explained the merits and demerits of thin clients and DaaS, but why have these two systems become so popular? The reasons are as follows.

COVID-19 pandemic

Teleworking became popular when many companies began to introduce teleworking at a time when people could no longer go out due to the effects of the coronavirus. Thin clients and DaaS are systems that are suitable for teleworking, so many companies introduced them at the time of the coronavirus pandemic. There are cases where thin clients were introduced in medical institutions and public institutions even before the pandemic. Even now, after the pandemic has passed, many companies are still introducing teleworking, and the reason behind this seems to be the continued use of thin clients and DaaS due to their flexibility and convenience.

Infrastructure Development

In fact, we think that Japan’s infrastructure is excellent and you can basically use a comfortable Internet environment wherever you go. This Internet environment is not something to be taken for granted. Japan’s Internet environment was developed from the 2000s, and before that, it was 3G and the like, and the communication environment was by no means well-developed. From that situation, we have come to the present day when anyone can use a comfortable infrastructure, which is why thin clients and DaaS have become popular.

4.Lastly

Thin clients and DaaS are ideal systems for teleworking. However, because they can also be used for other purposes, the number of users is still increasing. For example, even if you take a different computer with you on a business trip, you can still work as usual, and you can even work from a tablet or smartphone. Making good use of these systems can lead to improved work efficiency.

Recommended DaaS service ➤ applippli Cloud Desktop