IDC defines Workspace-as-a-Service as “made up of two categories: desktop-as-a-service and desktop applications as a service. Desktop as a service is the (private or public) cloud delivery of a virtual desktop to an end user. This can be achieved by remotely accessing a centralized virtual desktop (aka VDI) or a virtual user session. Distributed virtual desktops are also included in this category. Desktop applications-as-a-service is the (private or public) cloud delivery of a desktop application, usually a native Windows application. This can be achieved using either virtual user session technology or application virtualization technology.”
In a report by IDC titled Worldwide Workspace-as-a-Service 2014-2018 Forecast , the market research firm revealed that “the hosted WaaS market will grow from $282 million in 2013 to $1.7 billion in 2018, representing a five-year CAGR of 42.5%.” The report cites three primary drivers for WaaS adoption – growth in consumerization and BYOD; IT convergence, and cloud computing which enables end users to lower their overall spending on IT solutions.
IndependenceIT’s Cloud Workspace Suite is a WaaS enablement platform that was designed to help IT Admins, Service Providers and ISVs by facilitating the automated delivery of cloud applications, data and desktops as a service. With Cloud Workspace Suite, Admins can rapidly deploy their existing, rich desktop-based applications as a service via the Web, protecting and extending revenue streams in the cloud. The solution eliminates costly redevelopment projects and customer satisfaction issues that can arise when switching from familiar apps. The platform also allows providers to more easily manage hybrid and cloud-based resources with greater automation, while facilitating secure access to servers, applications, and other IT resources.
“The highlighted research reflects the accelerated adoption we are seeing in the market as more businesses realize the benefits of WaaS,” said Seth Bostock, CEO, IndependenceIT. “Organizations are discovering the productivity gains as well as the resource savings of this technology, which in turn is driving continued growth in this space.”
