Spiceworks Data Reveals Transition from Traditional Hardware Leasing to the Hardware-as-a-Service Model

AUSTIN, Texas, April 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Spiceworks, the marketplace that connects the IT industry, today announced the 2019 State of Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) report that examines business adoption and perceptions of HaaS, defined as a subscription model in which leased devices are owned, managed, and supported by a third-party. The findings indicate there will be a gradual transition from traditional hardware leasing, where leased devices are managed in-house, to the HaaS model, where leased devices are managed by a hardware manufacturer or managed service provider.

The survey results show 48 percent of businesses currently lease one or more types of hardware. Among those businesses, 24 percent manage all leased hardware in house, and 24 percent use the HaaS model for at least one type of device. Although most commonly used for printers, adoption of the HaaS model among other end user devices (e.g., laptops, desktops, tablets) is expected to grow among businesses that already lease hardware. In fact, an additional 6 percent of organizations leasing hardware plan to shift to the HaaS model within the next two years.

"HaaS providers have already found early success with the model, particularly with devices like printers that are often troublesome to support," said Peter Tsai, senior technology analyst at Spiceworks. "To further drive HaaS adoption, providers will have the most success targeting businesses that lack the manpower or geographic reach to adequately service devices in house in addition to businesses that are already sold on the leasing model. Considering the IT leasing and financing market is estimated to be a $234 billion industry, even small shifts in buyer behaviorcan add up."

Reduction of support burden on internal IT staff is considered the top benefit of HaaS

Among businesses using HaaS, 71 percent reported the HaaS model helps reduce the time and resources required by the internal IT team. Nearly half of businesses also said HaaS provides improved troubleshooting and support, easier setup and maintenance of devices, and a reduction in the amount of obsolete technology in the workplace. Additionally, nearly 40 percent said using HaaS led to a lower total cost of ownership for devices and reduced expenses.

However, among businesses that don't subscribe to HaaS, 56 percent said it's because they already have the resources to manage their devices in house. Additionally, 42 percent of IT professionals have concerns about giving up control of their hardware, while 34 percent do not believe the model is cost effective. Finally, 26 percent of businesses simply aren't sold on the benefits.

More than half of IT professionals believe HaaS enables more focus on strategic IT projects

Spiceworks also examined general perceptions of HaaS among IT decision makers to better understand what hurdles tech vendors and MSPs need to overcome to further drive adoption of the model. The results show 56 percent of IT professionals believe HaaS enables the IT department to focus on more strategic projects by leaving the more tedious support issues to their HaaS provider. For example, the most common services businesses are utilizing in the HaaS model include parts replacement (81 percent), hardware support and troubleshooting (74 percent), hardware replacement and refresh (61 percent), and device monitoring (37 percent).

Even with such services in the hands of a third-party, only 17 percent of IT professionals believe the HaaS model puts IT jobs at risk. However, nearly two-thirds believe communal hardware, such as printers, make more sense for HaaS than end-user devices, and nearly 30 percent believe HaaS only makes sense for larger organizations.

Methodology    
The Spiceworks survey was conducted in January 2019 and included 1,115 IT buyers from organizations across North America and Europe. Respondents represent a variety of company sizes, including small-to-medium-sized businesses and enterprises, and a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, nonprofits, education, government, and finance. For more information and a complete list of survey results, visit https://www.spiceworks.com/marketing/state-of-haas/pdf-report.

About Spiceworks    
Spiceworks is the marketplace that connects the IT industry to help technology buyers and sellers get their jobs done, every day. The company helps people in the world's businesses find, adopt, and manage the latest technologies while also helping IT brands build, market, and support better products and services. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Spiceworks empowers people to use technology to make their organizations, their communities, and the world better. For more information, visit http://www.spiceworks.com.  

Connect with Spiceworks on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Spiceworks and follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/spiceworks.     

Spiceworks is a registered trademark of Spiceworks, Inc. All other names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.    

Media Contact:   
Risa Kleen   
Spiceworks   
[email protected]  

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