The increase of cloud adoption has created new challenges for managed services providers (MSPs). As more organizations migrate to cloud applications, MSP margins for reselling Software as a Service (SaaS) applications are eroding. MSPs are constantly evaluating options to increase their existing revenue base while also finding new ways to extend account penetration and “stickiness”. Workspace as a Service (WaaS) may be the solution.
Unlike the high costs of a traditional virtual desktop infrastructure, which models a virtual machine per user, WaaS delivers multiple users on a virtual machine to offer a much lower total cost of ownership and administrative overhead. WaaS lets you not only transition traditional physical desktop managed services into a virtual desktop model, but also allows you to broaden your portfolio with additional services and benefits including:
WaaS Management – Beyond simply managing the desktop environment as a managed service, WaaS management can include the WaaS architecture—user management, application delivery and reporting functions.
Mobility & BYOD – The high demand to work from anywhere, anytime, with any device is the driving force behind remote workspace technologies. WaaS offers low costs and easy management with little exposure since no applications or data live on the mobile devices.
Self-Service Functionally – WaaS offers a more efficient support model for end users. They can self-provision pre-approved applications and reset passwords to reduce the number of support tickets you answer on a daily basis.
Application Management – While patch management may already be in your repertoire of services, the centralized delivery of WaaS makes for less time-intensive patches and application management.
As the cloud market continues to evolve, WaaS offers a valuable, strategic direction for MSPs.
MarketsandMarkets forecasts the Workspace as a Service market to grow from $4.76 billion in 2014 to $9.41 billion in 2019. This model will maximize stickiness with clients, but more so positions you as a real virtual CIO and a trusted partner who can help your clients fully understand and navigate their dynamic IT landscape.