One crucial aspect of businesses staying ahead and remaining competitive is having a robust and scalable network infrastructure. While traditional on-premises networking solutions are reliable, they can often be inflexible and expensive to manage. This might not be the ideal fit for businesses experiencing rapid expansion. That’s where Cisco Meraki, a leader in cloud-controlled networking solutions, shines.
Keep reading to learn how Meraki can empower your business to achieve sustainable growth.
An Introduction to Cisco Meraki
Cisco Meraki stands out as a pioneer in the realm of cloud-managed IT. Its innovative platform enables businesses to streamline network management, security, and accessibility. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, it caters to your needs with its user-friendly interface and seamless integration capabilities. Their comprehensive portfolio includes:
1. Wireless Access Points
This intuitive network connection solution simplifies the deployment, configuration, and management of access points. These are ideal for areas where physical cables are inconvenient. Features like Layer 7 Application QoS and Location Analytics provide unparalleled visibility and control over all access points. In addition, the centralized cloud dashboard allows intelligent analysis, trend visualization, and proactive issue mitigation. The wireless access points are also easily scalable with plug-and-play support.
2. Firewalls
Meraki MX series firewalls are one of the most powerful options. Businesses can deploy them across multiple sites. The unified threat management systems that leverage Cisco’s Talos systems offer advanced security threat protection. These firewalls also use sophisticated fingerprinting to analyze and categorize traffic according to access control policiesuary with the help of Layer 7 traffic classification. These firewalls are ideal for managing multiple hub locations and providing managed cloud security services from a single location.
3. MDM Systems
Meraki’s mobile device management (MDM) systems enable remote and on-the-go work, facilitate BYOD policies, and encourage flexible collaboration. It also ensures that your business doesn’t compromise on security, compliance protocols, or visibility of network activity.
Integrated within the MDM is Layer 7 fingerprinting, which automatically identifies and classifies client devices on the network. It enables automated rule enforcement, relieving the IT team of the burden of manual enforcement tasks. Meraki MDM also gives administrators unprecedented control by allowing remote monitoring support for mobile devices.
4. Routers
Cisco Meraki routers are pivotal in building a reliable and scalable network backbone. They come in various models to cater to diverse business needs, from small offices to multi-site enterprises. These routers boast high-performance WAN and LAN connectivity, ensuring smooth data flow across your network. Their site-to-site VPN capabilities enable secure communication between geographically dispersed locations. In addition, Meraki routers feature advanced routing protocols like OSPF and BGP. These ensure efficient network traffic routing and load balancing.
5. Smart Cameras
The comprehensive range of smart cameras Cisco Meraki offers is suitable for indoor and outdoor surveillance. They boast advanced features like computer vision and machine learning technologies, enabling excellent analytical insights. The cameras support functionalities like vehicle detection, people detection, and light level readings. The cameras also have industry-leading onboard processors and customizable video storage plans.
Cisco Meraki’s smart cameras provide secure monitoring from anywhere worldwide, offering granular control over surveillance footage.
6. Sensors
Meraki MT sensors extend your network’s reach beyond traditional IT devices. These versatile sensors monitor environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and air quality, providing valuable data for optimizing building management and employee comfort. They also integrate seamlessly with other Meraki products for a holistic view of your network and physical environment.
The Meraki Advantage: Boosting Your Business Growth
Imagine a network that effortlessly adapts to your business needs, scales as you grow, and enhances productivity. That’s precisely what Cisco Meraki brings to the table. Here are some of the major advantages of using Meraki systems:
- Effortless Expansion: Add new devices, users, or entire locations with a few clicks through the centralized cloud dashboard. No more costly hardware upgrades or complex on-site configurations. Simply plug and play, and your network scales effortlessly as you grow. This modular model allows you to prevent overspending. Meraki also lets you seamlessly connect and manage remote branches or geographically dispersed teams.
- Simplified Management: Meraki’s intuitive web-based dashboard offers centralized control and configuration for your entire network. The complete ecosystem is accessible from any device with an internet connection. You can eliminate manual configuration and streamline deployments with Meraki’s zero-touch provisioning. For example, you can pre-configure devices before shipment and simply power them at their destination to join the network automatically.
- Automation Capabilities: Businesses can free up valuable time and IT resources with Meraki’s automation features. You can automate routine tasks like firmware updates, security policies, and network adjustments. This ensures consistent performance and security across your infrastructure.
- Built-in Security Features: Meraki goes beyond basic network protection. Every device has advanced security features like firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and threat protection. It also automatically delivers regular firmware and security updates, ensuring your network always benefits from the latest security patches. In addition, Meraki simplifies compliance with industry regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR.
- Real-Time Visibility: Generate customized reports that provide actionable insights into various aspects of your network. You can use insights like application performance and device usage patterns to optimize resource allocation, improve user experience, and make data-driven decisions for your network strategy.
- Seamless Integration: Meraki offers a comprehensive suite of networking solutions, from wired and wireless access points to security appliances, SD-WAN, and cameras. These solutions seamlessly integrate, providing a unified user experience and consistent management across your entire infrastructure.
Why Hire a Managed Service Provider?
Building a future-proof Meraki-powered network is an investment for your business’s growth and success. However, integrating and managing these networks would require time, resources, and expertise. Partnering with a managed service provider like DEVsource Technology Solutions offers several advantages:
- Deep Expertise: We possess extensive knowledge of Meraki solutions and can design, implement, and manage your network effectively.
- 24/7 Support: Enjoy peace of mind with proactive monitoring, prompt issue resolution, and readily available expertise.
- Cost Optimization: Eliminate the need for in-house IT professionals and leverage our economies of scale for cost-effective solutions.
- Strategic Guidance: Receive expert advice on technology roadmap planning and long-term network strategy development.
Ready to future-proof your network with Cisco Meraki? DEVsource Technology Solutions provides various managed services to help you achieve your business goals. Book a web consultation today to discuss your unique needs!
