Device as a Service: How DaaS is Revolutionizing IT Management

Too many IT leaders spend their days chasing laptop deliveries instead of solving bigger and more strategic problems. When every new hire triggers a last-minute scramble for hardware, and offboarding means figuring out where that laptop actually is, there’s not much time left for the type of long-term planning that moves the business forward.

That’s why the Device as a Service (DaaS) market is on track to soar, from $211.7 billion in 2025 to more than $2.1 trillion by 2034, as more companies look for smarter, faster ways to manage their employee devices at scale.

This guide breaks down what DaaS really offers, how it untangles the mess of modern device management, and how Deel IT can support globally distributed teams.

What is Device as a Service (DaaS)?

Device as a Service is a subscription model where businesses provide employees with computers, smartphones, or other hardware through a service partner. Instead of purchasing devices from one or more providers, and then configuring and managing them in-house, IT teams rely on a single partner to handle the entire lifecycle, including procurement, setup, support, security updates, and responsible recycling.

In terms of budgeting, DaaS customers typically make fixed monthly payments, which reduces capital expenditure. It’s a consistent and affordable way to provide your end users with high-quality hardware, without the hassle.

DaaS example

A growing company onboarding 150 remote employees across several countries uses a DaaS provider to deliver pre-configured laptops directly to each hire. The devices arrive ready to use, with the company’s software and security tools already installed. If something breaks or needs updating, the provider handles it. As a result, the internal IT team saves 30 hours per month to focus on higher-priority work.

The role of DaaS in modern IT lifecycle management

Managing hardware across its full lifecycle is easier with DaaS. This arrangement brings all the moving parts into one coordinated system, making it easier to plan, execute, and adapt device strategy over time. Here’s how DaaS supports each phase of the hardware lifecycle.

Planning and procurement

With DaaS, there’s no need to forecast hardware demand months in advance or maintain large inventories. Devices are provisioned as needed, based on real-time headcount and role-specific requirements. Procurement is repeatable rather than a one-off workflow, and budget approvals are easier to manage as costs are spread over several months or years.

Deployment and setup

New hires receive hardware that’s ready to go on day one, no matter where they’re based. Devices arrive pre-configured to your specs, with security policies, VPNs, and collaboration tools already installed. There’s no manual setup required from internal IT, and no guessing whether the right software versions made it onto each device.

Support, maintenance, and security

Hardware performance and IT compliance are achieved through regular patching, monitoring, and remote support. There’s no need to maintain a separate contract for MDM or endpoint protection; these tools are simply part of the DaaS ecosystem. When something breaks, users work directly with support trained on the specific devices they’re using.

Scaling and refreshing

As teams expand or reorganize, DaaS makes it easy to match equipment to changing needs – for example, high-spec machines for engineering, lighter devices for field teams, and the ability to update or downgrade based on function. You can also align refresh cycles to specific business goals rather than sticking to arbitrary asset management schedules.

End-of-life and recycling

When devices reach end-of-life, DaaS providers handle the decommissioning process. Certified data erasure ensures nothing sensitive remains on the hardware, while refurbishment or recycling reduces e-waste and maximizes the value of your assets.

Device as a Service vs Desktop as a Service (DaaS): Understanding the difference

While they share the same acronym, Device as a Service and Desktop as a Service are separate solutions. One is focused on managing physical hardware, the other on delivering virtual desktops through the cloud. Here’s a side-by-side comparison to clarify the distinction.

7 ways DaaS revolutionizes IT management

DaaS changes how IT leaders approach device management by handing off day-to-day logistics to a service built for scale. What used to drain internal time and resources is now something you can streamline through a single, managed service. Here’s why DaaS matters.

1. DaaS is less work for IT teams

Managing devices in-house often pulls IT teams into time-consuming tasks they shouldn’t be handling, such as chasing down orders, configuring laptops, troubleshooting deliveries, and dealing with last-minute onboarding requests. With DaaS, that burden shifts to a dedicated provider who manages the entire lifecycle.

Before switching to Deel IT as its device management partner, the People Operations team at Filtered, a content intelligence company, spent hours managing each onboarding.

With procurement and logistics off their plate, IT teams can focus on infrastructure and security, where their time has a real impact.

2. DaaS provides predictable monthly costs

Upfront hardware purchases create budget spikes and make planning difficult. A single hiring wave or urgent laptop replacement can throw off quarterly forecasts, especially when costs vary by region, vendor, or availability. With DaaS, companies spread out the expense through a monthly subscription, meaning it’s easier to forecast and approve hardware spend.

At Voiceflow, unpredictable hardware costs had been a constant challenge. “The cost could sometimes [double],” according to Andrew Lawrence, Co-founder and Head of Operations at Voiceflow.

After switching to Deel, Voiceflow created a more stable, trackable process, saving over $10K and winning back 60+ hours of admin time to invest in the business.

3. DaaS keeps equipment up-to-date

When devices age, performance takes a hit. Boot times lag, updates fail, and critical software starts to run slower before grinding to a halt. For employees, that means lost time and plenty of frustration. But for IT, it means tickets piled high and even more hours spent trying to keep outdated machines functional.

Take laptops, for example. The average lifespan is four to five years, but battery degradation often begins within the first 18 to 24 months, especially with daily use. Performance issues like slow processing and an inability to run new applications tend to follow not long after.

With DaaS, devices are refreshed regularly and on a set schedule, so end users aren’t held back by aging hardware. Instead, teams stay equipped with current models without the usual delays or replacement costs.

4. DaaS supports scalability

Scaling companies don’t always grow in predictable ways. Hiring might ramp up quickly in one region, and slow in another, while roles shift as new functions emerge. DaaS supports all these ebbs and flows, making it simple to add or reduce devices as needed.

At Sastrify, scaling a remote team across multiple continents meant shipping equipment to places many providers would consider out of reach. But with Deel IT, even the most complex deliveries to countries like Nigeria, Kosovo, and remote islands were handled without delay.

Sastrify received 97% of orders within 10 working days, helping the company onboard fast and build a global presence without bottlenecks. As a result, Sastrify’s People Ops manager, Claudia Korenko, explains

Common concerns about Device as a Service

A few questions come up for those new to the DaaS model. Here’s what decision-makers typically want to know and how Deel IT addresses each concern.

Will this cost more in the long run?

Not necessarily. While DaaS involves recurring payments, it often reduces hidden costs tied to repairs, downtime, IT admin time, and asset waste. For companies scaling across regions, these operational efficiencies typically offset the premium of monthly pricing. Plus, subscription-based procurement makes budgeting and forecasting easier—especially when hiring in waves.

Deel IT offers transparent monthly pricing, providing clear visibility into expenses. This model helps organizations avoid unexpected costs and simplifies budgeting processes.​

Do we lose control by relying on a third party?

Only if the provider limits flexibility. The best DaaS setups let you define your own hardware catalog, apply role-based provisioning rules, and retain visibility over every device from day one to end-of-life. Look for partners that support custom configurations, multiple vendors, and API integrations—so the service molds to your workflow, not the other way around.

How hard is it to transition?

A complete overhaul isn't required. Many teams start by enrolling new hires into DaaS while continuing to manage legacy hardware in parallel. Providers with implementation support can help map a phased transition, integrating with your existing MDM and asset tools to avoid double-handling or workflow duplication. The key is to start where the pain is worst—typically onboarding or refresh cycles—and expand from there.

Is our data safe on devices we don’t manage directly?

It should be. Any credible DaaS provider should offer strong endpoint security as table stakes, not upsell. This includes disk encryption, remote lock and wipe, secure provisioning, and certified data erasure at offboarding. Make sure the service meets your compliance standards (e.g., SOC 2, GDPR) and supports your identity management stack. You’re outsourcing logistics—not security standards.

Can we customize device configurations?

Yes, and you should. A good DaaS program allows different device specs, OS preferences, or software preloads based on department, geography, or seniority. That flexibility reduces IT friction while ensuring the right hardware ends up in the right hands. For global teams, it also means you're not constrained by local availability or long lead times when specialized hardware is needed.

Deel IT supports custom device catalogs and provisioning rules. Admins can pre-define which devices are available to which teams, set geographic availability, and even apply budget caps by role or region. This allows for consistency where it matters and flexibility where it’s needed without requiring constant oversight from IT.

A quick guide to today’s leading DaaS providers

The DaaS market has grown quickly, with multiple providers offering different strengths. Now we’ve explored how DaaS addresses the biggest pain points for IT teams, here’s how five top providers stack up and where Deel IT offers a cost-effective, flexible solution.

How Deel helps modern IT teams thrive

The Device as a Service market is growing fast, and for good reason. As companies scale globally and remote work becomes the norm, DaaS is a practical way to streamline IT operations and keep employees equipped with the right tools.

Deel IT helps companies:

• Eliminate procurement complexity with a single global partner
• Deliver pre-configured devices to team members in 130+ countries
• Automate provisioning and track every device from deployment to offboarding
• Secure endpoints with built-in MDM, identity access, and certified data erasure

Ready to offload device logistics and refocus your team on strategic work? Book a demo with Deel IT to see what’s possible.