Using "Desktop as a Service" (DaaS), medium-sized companies can now obtain the complete PC environment for their employees online from the business cloud of Pironet NDH Datacenter. The virtual workstation featuring standard communications and office applications, as well as security, storage and back-up solutions, can be activated and ready-to-use in a matter of minutes. Billing is undertaken in respect of each user and is dependent on usage, with monthly prices from €49.90. Through online usage in the form of the lease model and variable cost billing on a monthly basis, companies have the flexibility to adapt the costs associated with licensing, operating and maintaining local IT systems to their changing needs and business development at any time. Furthermore, they benefit from their applications being run in accordance with the law and compliance provisions in the highly secure data centre of the ICT service provider.
Complete office workstation from the cloud
DaaS users are taken to their work environment in the cloud using a web browser. Following an authentication process, they are able to access a desktop based on Windows 7 as well as standard office applications according to the "Software as a Service" model, such as the new Office 2010 suite from Microsoft. Furthermore, each user receives his or her own online storage space in the data cloud for storing documents. The cloud desktop can thereby be visually integrated into the usual work environment. In addition, companies can design the user interface to match their corporate design.
Integrated virus protection, back-up and e-mail archiving
"In contrast to public clouds, which only provide either isolated, mass-market software solutions or simple server resources, we are pursuing a holistic approach with Desktop as a Service," explains Khaled Chaar, a member of the executive board of Pironet NDH Datacenter who is responsible for the Business Strategy division.
In this way, desktop users not only receive all standard office applications, but also the necessary protection from harmful software and data loss. Correspondingly, anti-virus software and solutions for automatic back-ups and the audit-proof archiving of e-mails are already integrated. DaaS gives companies with a particularly high level of security requirements the possibility of additionally safeguarding remote log-in and access by employees through the use of portable password generators (knows as tokens), an ad hoc online analysis of the local end device or the definition of user groups with different rights.
Regular performance reports for management
A component of the cloud package is a regular performance report about the services used, the precise system status as well the current status of the service levels. "It is precisely medium-sized companies that want to see cloud computing integrated into a comprehensive security and service concept," emphasises Khaled Chaar.
Compatible with legacy applications
Having regard to the comprehensive array of requirements within medium-sized companies, DaaS therefore also allows access to company-specific special or legacy applications outside of the cloud. "Our clients can immediately or gradually connect their entire application environment with the virtual desktops of their employees," says Chaar.
Access to company IT on iPad
The same applies when on the move: Desktop as a Service can be used via mobile devices such as BlackBerries, iPads and iPhones. Mobile users receive access to a complete file system together with the usual office and business applications such as Outlook, Office 2010 and SAP. One feature that is particularly appealing to mobile users: DaaS supports automatic synchronisation between databases located locally and in the cloud.
Planned: Self-service and individual cloud desktop
"For the future development of the solution, Pironet NDH wants to integrate basic management functions for the cloud directly into the desktop," says Khaled Chaar. In this way, it is intended that IT administrators will be able to add or remove further users or applications with the click of the mouse using their own self-service area. A comprehensive automated reporting system within the self-service area is intended for IT managers, via which the client's management team can obtain information at any time about important indicators and the current status as well as the service quality of their IT.
In future, DaaS will also offer more possibilities for users. Thanks to desktop virtualisation, users will be able to tailor their virtual working environment in the cloud even more flexibly to their individual requirements and thereby have access to their personal desktop and their data and documents from any location with an internet connection. For their employers, on the other hand, desktop virtualisation and central provision by Pironet NDH removes the costs associated with administering and safeguarding the local computers on the premises.
The advantages of a public cloud with the level of security of a private cloud
"Desktop as a Service offers medium-sized companies the benefits of a public cloud with regard to flexibility and compactness, but without sacrificing the diversity of applications, personalised client service or IT security," summarises Khaled Chaar. "That's why we produce our cloud services only on the basis of our own technical infrastructure and entirely within the German jurisdiction."
Further background information about DaaS can be found at www.pironet-ndh.com/itk.
Complete office workstation from the cloud
DaaS users are taken to their work environment in the cloud using a web browser. Following an authentication process, they are able to access a desktop based on Windows 7 as well as standard office applications according to the "Software as a Service" model, such as the new Office 2010 suite from Microsoft. Furthermore, each user receives his or her own online storage space in the data cloud for storing documents. The cloud desktop can thereby be visually integrated into the usual work environment. In addition, companies can design the user interface to match their corporate design.
Integrated virus protection, back-up and e-mail archiving
"In contrast to public clouds, which only provide either isolated, mass-market software solutions or simple server resources, we are pursuing a holistic approach with Desktop as a Service," explains Khaled Chaar, a member of the executive board of Pironet NDH Datacenter who is responsible for the Business Strategy division.
In this way, desktop users not only receive all standard office applications, but also the necessary protection from harmful software and data loss. Correspondingly, anti-virus software and solutions for automatic back-ups and the audit-proof archiving of e-mails are already integrated. DaaS gives companies with a particularly high level of security requirements the possibility of additionally safeguarding remote log-in and access by employees through the use of portable password generators (knows as tokens), an ad hoc online analysis of the local end device or the definition of user groups with different rights.
Regular performance reports for management
A component of the cloud package is a regular performance report about the services used, the precise system status as well the current status of the service levels. "It is precisely medium-sized companies that want to see cloud computing integrated into a comprehensive security and service concept," emphasises Khaled Chaar.
Compatible with legacy applications
Having regard to the comprehensive array of requirements within medium-sized companies, DaaS therefore also allows access to company-specific special or legacy applications outside of the cloud. "Our clients can immediately or gradually connect their entire application environment with the virtual desktops of their employees," says Chaar.
Access to company IT on iPad
The same applies when on the move: Desktop as a Service can be used via mobile devices such as BlackBerries, iPads and iPhones. Mobile users receive access to a complete file system together with the usual office and business applications such as Outlook, Office 2010 and SAP. One feature that is particularly appealing to mobile users: DaaS supports automatic synchronisation between databases located locally and in the cloud.
Planned: Self-service and individual cloud desktop
"For the future development of the solution, Pironet NDH wants to integrate basic management functions for the cloud directly into the desktop," says Khaled Chaar. In this way, it is intended that IT administrators will be able to add or remove further users or applications with the click of the mouse using their own self-service area. A comprehensive automated reporting system within the self-service area is intended for IT managers, via which the client's management team can obtain information at any time about important indicators and the current status as well as the service quality of their IT.
In future, DaaS will also offer more possibilities for users. Thanks to desktop virtualisation, users will be able to tailor their virtual working environment in the cloud even more flexibly to their individual requirements and thereby have access to their personal desktop and their data and documents from any location with an internet connection. For their employers, on the other hand, desktop virtualisation and central provision by Pironet NDH removes the costs associated with administering and safeguarding the local computers on the premises.
The advantages of a public cloud with the level of security of a private cloud
"Desktop as a Service offers medium-sized companies the benefits of a public cloud with regard to flexibility and compactness, but without sacrificing the diversity of applications, personalised client service or IT security," summarises Khaled Chaar. "That's why we produce our cloud services only on the basis of our own technical infrastructure and entirely within the German jurisdiction."
Further background information about DaaS can be found at www.pironet-ndh.com/itk.
