DaaS for Real Estate: A Cost-Effective Solution for Startups and Small Brokerages

Looking at the current state of the real estate industry, it can be seen that competition is on the rise, and there is a need for better efficient tools. Even though the customers expect value added services with efficiency and cost control, it becomes a challenge for start-ups and small scale brokerages.

DaaS is a distributed computing model in the cloud where the users’ desktops are accessed by a network connection. Rather than having to depend on company-owned and maintained in-house IT resources and facilities, an organization can run and get access to the applications and data anytime from any device with Internet connectivity. This flexibility and scalability make it easier for real estate firms to adopt DaaS in their pursuit of optimizing their technological investments.

DaaS is implemented in the form of a subscription-based model, unlike the conventional IT architectures, which require extensive investment in hardware and software license acquisition and maintenance. This structure of paying for the IT services received in a certain period makes the expenditure to be more manageable in relation to the operations.

Cost Savings with DaaS

The allure of cost savings is a primary driver for adopting DaaS in the real estate sector. A study found that IT expenses account for a substantial portion of small brokerages’ overall operational costs.

• Reduced hardware expenses: DaaS eliminates the need for expensive desktop computers, servers, and storage devices.
• Lower software costs: DaaS providers bundle popular software applications into their packages, often at discounted rates.
• Minimized IT support costs: DaaS providers typically offer comprehensive technical support, reducing the need for in-house IT staff.
• Energy savings: Cloud-based infrastructure is generally more energy-efficient than on-premises data centers.

Scalability and Flexibility

Flexibility of operation is another important factor for real estate companies because the companies need to expand or shrink their operations quickly during growth or market changes. Compared to other options, DaaS is highly scalable because firms can increase or decrease the number of virtual desktops as desired. This flexibility ensures that companies have an optimum number of workstations to be provided to them but also do not have to invest in too much hardware.

For example, real estate firms can easily allocate new virtual desktops to new agents or other employees during busy seasons or when the company is expanding to new areas. On the other hand, it is possible to free or de-provision unused desktops during low usage periods in order to reduce costs.

Enhanced Security

Data security is a top priority for the real estate industry, given the sensitive nature of the information handled. DaaS provides a robust security framework with features like:

• Data encryption: Sensitive data is encrypted both at rest and in transit, protecting it from unauthorized access.
• Regular backups: DaaS providers implement regular data backups to prevent data loss in case of disasters or system failures.
• Intrusion detection and prevention: Advanced security measures are in place to detect and thwart cyberattacks.
• Compliance adherence: DaaS solutions often comply with industry-specific regulations, such as GDPR and HIPAA, ensuring data privacy and protection.

By centralizing data management and leveraging the expertise of DaaS providers, real estate firms can strengthen their security posture without investing heavily in cybersecurity infrastructure.

Top 5 Leading DaaS Providers

Several DaaS providers cater specifically to the real estate industry, offering tailored solutions and features. Here’s a brief overview of five popular options:

vDesk.works

vDesk.works positions itself as a secure and user-friendly DaaS solution. It offers a range of features specifically geared towards real estate, including access to local file servers, multi-factor authentication, and support for Microsoft Office suites.

Additionally, it is known for its high performance and minimal bandwidth requirements, making it a great choice for users with limited internet connectivity. Their pricing is based on a per-user model, offering different tiers to meet various needs.

Workspaces

Workspaces stands out for its focus on collaboration and ease of use. Their platform allows real estate teams to seamlessly work together on documents and projects in real-time.

The DaaS provider offers a free trial and a variety of subscription plans with different storage capacities and user limits. They cater to businesses of all sizes, making them a good option for startups and small brokerages.

AppsAnywhere

AppsAnywhere focuses on delivering a secure and reliable virtual desktop experience. Their platform integrates with various third-party applications, offering a comprehensive solution for real estate professionals.

It also offers flexible deployment options, including on-premises, cloud-based, and hybrid models. While pricing may vary based on deployment and features, they generally cater to mid-sized and larger businesses.

Cloudalizer

Cloudalizer provides a feature-rich DaaS platform specifically designed for the real estate industry. Its dedicated mobile app allows for remote access and agent mobility, making it ideal for on-the-go real estate professionals.

They also offer a free trial and various subscription models based on user count and resources needed. Their target is small and medium-sized businesses, making them a strong contender for real estate startups and brokerages.
Amazon WorkSpaces

AWS does have its own DaaS solution known as Amazon WorkSpaces. AWS is used as the base for this platform meaning that the performance and scalability of the platform will be high. Amazon WorkSpaces also comes with a selection of basic templates that include popular real estate software, therefore, easy to implement.
Pricing is based on the hour which is appropriate for business that have volatile resource consumption. Nevertheless, skills in technology for implementation and administration might be slightly higher compared to the other options.

Choosing the Right DaaS Provider

Selecting the right DaaS provider is essential for realizing the full benefits of this technology. Key factors to consider include:

• Cost: Evaluate pricing models, including subscription fees, additional charges, and potential hidden costs.
• Performance: Assess factors like network latency, application responsiveness, and overall user experience.
• Security: Review the provider’s security measures, certifications, and compliance history.
• Scalability: Ensure the provider can accommodate your business’s growth and changing needs
• Customer support: Evaluate the quality and responsiveness of the provider’s technical support services.

Conclusion

DaaS allows real estate startups and small brokerages to address the issues related to the management of IT infrastructures while at the same time improving efficiency and security. In relation to the above benefits of DaaS, real estate firms can now concentrate on their central operations and business expansion.

As the real estate industry grows, it is essential to implement such services as DaaS to remain relevant in the market. Thus, choosing between the available DaaS providers and applying the solution correctly can be a key to success for real estate businesses in the long term.