What is Device as a Service (DaaS)?
The Complete Guide for Businesses

1. Definition: What does Device as a Service mean?

Device as a Service (DaaS) is a managed service model in which a company uses mobile end devices – typically smartphones, tablets and notebooks – on a rental basis rather than owning them outright. The term is derived from the cloud model "Software as a Service" (SaaS) and applies the same principle to physical hardware.

A complete DaaS package typically includes:

• Hardware: Provision of modern end devices (e.g. Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy)
• Mobile Device Management (MDM): Central management, configuration and security policies for all devices
• Device Lifecycle Management (DLM): Management of the entire device lifecycle from procurement to disposal
• Managed Mobile Services (MMS): Management of mobile contracts, SIM activation and tariff options
• Support: Helpdesk for end users and IT administrators
• Protection Bundle: Bumper case and screen protector, optionally with corporate branding

Billing is per device per month, typically over contract terms of 24 to 36 months.

2. How does DaaS work in practice?

3. What is included in a DaaS package?

A DaaS package is more than just the hardware. It bundles every building block a device needs throughout its entire deployment – at a fixed monthly price. These components are typically included:

Hardware

Modern smartphones, tablets and notebooks from leading manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung – selected to match the requirements of each role in the company.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Central management of all devices: configuration, app distribution and security policies run through a single platform – with no manual effort per device.

Device Lifecycle Management (DLM)

Management of the entire device lifecycle, from procurement and provisioning through to return – as one continuous process instead of many separate steps.

Managed Mobile Services (MMS)

Management of mobile contracts including SIM activation and tariff control – the cost side of the mobile fleet stays transparent and under control.

Support

A single helpdesk for end users and IT administrators: incidents, questions and device replacements are recorded and handled centrally.

Protection Bundle

Protection from day one – bumper case and screen protector, optionally with corporate branding. This reduces damage and the follow-up costs that come with it.

4. DaaS vs. hardware purchase: a direct comparison

5. Which companies benefit most from DaaS?

• Fast-growing companies that need to equip new employees quickly without large upfront investments
• Companies with high staff turnover and frequent device reassignment
• Distributed teams and remote-work structures requiring Europe-wide device delivery
• Compliance-sensitive industries (healthcare, finance, legal)
• Mid-sized companies from approx. 20 devices without a dedicated IT department

Enterprise Tech Solutions AG manages companies with 20 to over 100,000 end devices and operates in 51 countries.

6. Which devices are available?

Device as a Service is not tied to a single manufacturer or device class. Available in particular are:

• Smartphones – from rugged outdoor models to current business flagships from Apple and Samsung
• Tablets – for field service, warehouse, production or mobile workplaces, optionally with cellular connectivity
• Notebooks – for classic office and knowledge work

Which devices actually make sense depends on the roles within the company. As part of the needs assessment, the device fleet is put together so that every role gets exactly the right equipment – including accessories and protective gear.

7. What does Device as a Service cost?

There is no flat price for Device as a Service – and that is an advantage: billing is per device per month, and the price depends precisely on what is actually needed. The key factors are:

• Device type and model – a rugged entry-level smartphone costs significantly less than a current business flagship
• Contract term – typically 24 to 36 months; longer terms lower the monthly rate
• Scope of services – hardware rental only, or the full service package including MDM, DLM and support
• Project volume – terms generally improve with the number of devices

Instead of a high upfront investment, the result is a predictable monthly operating expense (OpEx). The best way to determine your individual rate is a short needs assessment.

8. Certified data erasure & device return

At the end of the usage period, it is decided whether a decommissioned device becomes a data protection risk – or a cleanly closed case. The return process is therefore an integral part of Device as a Service and follows a clearly defined, fully documented procedure:

• Insured device collection – old devices are collected on an insured basis; the transport is protected from the very first step.
• Audit-proof data erasure – all corporate and user data is reliably and verifiably removed from the end devices.
• ISO-certified Blancco erasure certificate – an ISO-certified erasure certificate is created for every wiped device. It is the auditable proof that the erasure has actually been carried out in full.
• Audit-proof destruction – SIM cards and devices that are no longer needed are destroyed in an audit-proof manner in accordance with DIN 66399, ruling out any recovery of data.

For the company, this means: no decommissioned devices left un-wiped in a drawer, no open data protection loose ends – and, for every case, a record that stands up to an audit.

9. Frequently Asked Questions