Emerging & Disruptive Mobile Technology Expert, Strategic Advisor at a marketing services firm with 1-10 employees
Real User
Plug and play set up, stable, scales well with multiple access points
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features are the multiple types of user groupings and access management."
  • "There is a processing limitation when you have multiple SSIDs, above three or four."

What is our primary use case?

There are a variety of use cases. It is being used in a community center, a school, a gymnasium, and a youth center.

It's a combination of constituents. We have teachers, employees/staff, students, parents, and visitors. We have many different users.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are the multiple types of user groupings and access management. For example: what, when, how long for, what is the performance, and what device are they using are all groupings.

What needs improvement?

Some of the built-in capabilities need to be improved. The radius capabilities for filtering by MAC address, some of the group-based policy management, even though they have more flexibility.

They need a better reading of device TACs, which are terminal equipment codes.

When you read a MAC address or a serial number, you can detect if it's an iOS or an Android device. Specifically, within the Android world, it can detect if it's a Samsung, an Acer, or if it's a Dell. In the Apple world, you can detect if it's iOS, iPhone, or an iPad.

Their TAC reading and interpretation capability are not as effective. For example, they may be reading a MAC address and reporting it as an iPhone, but it may be a Samsung. It's not just iPhone and iPad confusion, but iPhone and Android cross confusion.

There is a processing limitation when you have multiple SSIDs, above three or four.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with this solution for three years.

We are working with the original version of Meraki, not the latest version.

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
June 2024
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

In terms of stability, it's relatively straightforward.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's a scalable solution. It's pretty good.

How are customer service and support?

We have never had to contact technical support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We work with Meraki, Eero, and Ubiquiti.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is relatively straightforward. It's literally a plug-and-play, once you set up on the portal. I would be stretching to find an issue.

Anything that is common to all of the access points is the same, You have to run the cables. Once you have done the Delta it's probably a couple of days to deploy.

It depends on what you want to configure or the level of configuration complexity. We have, for example, access points in a specific location that are broadcasting on certain SSIDs and providing access to only certain users or certain devices, and for specific services which have to be configured.  

If you generate an existing configuration, you can just plug it in and it will boot. If however, it requires a specific configuration, it will take time to configure the specific set of requirements.

What was our ROI?

We had a deal and we went for it. If I had to go for it today, I would reconsider, unless I get more competitive pricing. The gap in terms of performance, quality, features, and functionality has decreased significantly compared to what it was five years ago. 

Now they have much more. They used to be a startup and they did pretty well. They got into growth mode, VCs pushed them to grow and they started developing features and functionality. 

Amazon bought them. Now that Amazon has its backing, they should be able to grow and improve features, which is going to put them on a similar pedestal as a Cisco Meraki, and the same for Ubiquity. But those are just nuances. 

Today, it would be harder for me to push for Cisco Meraki.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Their biggest challenge is cost. Since it's been acquired by Cisco, it's an even higher cost.

What other advice do I have?

If they are going for the long run it's good, but if you go too long, there is a cost component to consider and figure out, because the cost is something that is coming down with a lot of new solutions.

I would rate Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Anoop-Kumar - PeerSpot reviewer
Video conferencing Admin at Akshara Enterprises India Pvt Ltd
Real User
HIPAA compliant, with good wireless monitoring but the throughput could be better
Pros and Cons
  • "Cisco Meraki is HIPAA compliant."
  • "The throughput of the switches for wireless could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We are implementors. We implement solutions for our clients.

What is most valuable?

All of the compliances are available with Cisco Meraki. For example, you have all of the HIPAA compliance. Cisco Meraki is HIPAA compliant.

Because of HIPAA compliance, it can be used in the pharmaceutical industries.

I like cloud-based monitoring.

What needs improvement?

The throughput of the switches for wireless could be improved. I am expecting more from it. The bandwidth should be improved. It should be increased.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been dealing with this solution for six months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's a stable solution. There are no issues with stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

There is no problem with scaling. It's a scalable product.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have recently provided a client the complete Aruba solution. It's both on-premises and on the cloud, for switching, for wireless, and monitoring. It is called Aruba Central.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution a seven out of then.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
June 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2024.
772,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network System Engineer at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Reseller
The scalability is more or less endless. I have not seen problems with adding 100's or 1000's of devices.
Pros and Cons
  • "It improved the installation time."
  • "It's performing well, really well. We don't have any issues. We only have issues if there is a lot of rogue APs in the neighborhood and that not Meraki's fault."
  • "if there is a better feature, they write it as beta so you have to be careful."

What is our primary use case?

I love the ease of deployment and the dashboard. These are the the main selling points of this solution.

How has it helped my organization?

It improved the installation time. It's very easy to get an overview without the expensive monitoring software because you can get it more of less for free with the dashboard. You get a lot of insights out of the box.

What needs improvement?

It's performing well, really well. We don't have any issues. We only have issues if there is a lot of rogue APs in the neighborhood and that not Meraki's fault.

There are many improvements that can be made. Mainly in the radio parts, they need to include some more features but it is hard to say exactly what we want. We had have a few cases where we could not use Meraki because it could not do advanced routing features, and so on, but it is very unlikely that Meraki would include that in the next releases. We have tried to push it because we are quite a big reseller in the Nordic region.

For how long have I used the solution?

More than five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would say overall it's really stable. When they realize features, it looks like it is well tested and they don't just release them to release a new feature and if it's a better feature they write it as beta so please be careful.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability is more or less endless. I have not seen problems with adding 100's or 1000's of devices.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. 

What about the implementation team?

We always think it is best to consider:

  • Management
  • Price
  • Including new technologies

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price can be negotiated.

What other advice do I have?

For big enterprise, I would definitely use Meraki. They are doing something really special stuff.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Network Engineer at a computer software company with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
Reliable and easy to set up but support varies in quality
Pros and Cons
  • "Provided reliability and a good price."
  • "Quality of technical support varies."

What is our primary use case?

The main use case is as an enterprise network for the user working in the office and for guests.

How has it helped my organization?

This solution has provided reliability and a good price for my organization.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is wireless connectivity.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for two to three years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This is a scalable solution.

How are customer service and support?

The quality of technical support varies, sometimes it's very good, sometimes not.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I also work with Cisco Wireless LAN. We choose to work with Meraki because we are familiar with the technology from selling the solution.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is quite straightforward. In general, setup should not take more than one or two days.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Licensing is available on a yearly basis. A higher subscription fee may be necessary if extra features are required.

What other advice do I have?

Cisco Meraki is quite reliable and provides good support, on a par with other brands. It also requires less time to implement and maintain the network, and it can save running and operating costs. I would rate this solution as seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Other
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Project Manager at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Has excellent stability, it works and doesn't stop
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is the stability. It works and doesn't stop."
  • "I'd like better integration with security providers."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case is for business, the end within the business, no guests or anything like that. We use the on-prem deployment model of this solution. 

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the stability. It works and doesn't stop.

What needs improvement?

In terms of improvement, we're waiting on is the new standard WiFi 6. That's really where the research comes into. With wifi coming out, we're going to refresh everything. Hence we're going to look at the top three players.

I'd like better integration with security providers. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for around eight years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable. We've never had any bugs. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's scalable. We have between 50-100 users in my company. The users are our general employees. 

We don't require any staff for maintenance. For the deployment, we required four staff members. We have plans for increasing usage. The idea is to double it in size with Wifi 6. 

How are customer service and technical support?

We were in touch with technical support a while ago. They just said what was in the book.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We previously used Aruba Wireless. We switched because of the price. It wasn't my choice, it was my client's choice. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was complex. It took about 200 hours. 

Our deployment strategy was to get it all in and then get all hardware in, put one service layer at a time. When it's finished, disable all the old stuff. After migrating the clients, disable all the old stuff.

What about the implementation team?

I reached out to Cisco for boilerplate plans and worked on their standard design for a smaller office.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

After the third year, because it's Cisco, the prices go higher. 

What other advice do I have?

My advice to someone considering this solution would be to use the white paper comparisons, they're excellent. Particularly not a newspaper review of a product, as it comes out of the box. That does nothing. But it has to really be an installation that is similar to yours. It might match the number of sites or match the number of consumers in the end but it has to be similar in some ways. Not a lab, a lab work doesn't tell you anything. That's like a practice run. 

I would rate this solution a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
PeerSpot user
PeerSpot user
Systems Engineer at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
We can use a single dashboard to manage our 5 offices in different parts of the world.

What is most valuable?

  • Centralized management
  • Easily configurable

How has it helped my organization?

We implemented Meraki APs across our 5 offices in USA, UK, and India, and we can manage all of them from one dashboard. We have great metrics for bandwidth usage, easily finding out who is downloading movies. ;-)

Using Radius server for user authentication is very simple to configure, creating new SSID, and it has a great alerting system.

For how long have I used the solution?

2 years

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

Deployment is very simple- just add the device to your dashboard, connect to the network, and it will automatically connect, update firmware, and update configuration to match with your others APs.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Nope

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

No

How are customer service and technical support?

Customer Service:

10

Technical Support:

10, to get help you can open the case or just call them directly, give them your customer ID and boom, you are talking to the tech who can see all your devices.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Aruba, Ruckus - they are ok, but you need to spend more time to configure and their support is not even close to Meraki.

How was the initial setup?

Can't be more simple

What about the implementation team?

In-house

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I think the Meraki APs are very cheap, I am using them even at home.

What other advice do I have?

Don't waste time and money for the other solutions, only Meraki!

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
IT Architect at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Reliable, scalable, and simple installation
Pros and Cons
  • "The stability of the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is very good."
  • "The technical support from Cisco is good, but they can improve themselves in some areas. Sometimes it takes a while to provide a solution or an answer to our problem."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN for enterprise access in our building.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN for approximately five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is very good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is a scalable solution.

We have approximately 300 people using this solution in my organization.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support from Cisco is good, but they can improve themselves in some areas. Sometimes it takes a while to provide a solution or an answer to our problem.

How was the initial setup?

The deployment of Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN was simple. It took a couple of weeks to complete.

What about the implementation team?

We have certified people that do the implementation of the solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is per unit and it has annual maintenance costs.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Principal at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Provides a high level of security and stability for teleconferencing
Pros and Cons
  • "Meraki is a decent solution for a small company, and we use it in a pretty typical way. We need Teams and Zoom to work, and we need a high level of security because we want our business to remain confidential."

    What is our primary use case?

    We have a small, growing company, and they're looking for a wireless capability to do typical office stuff, except that now, we're doing a lot more meetings on Teams and Zoom. We often have a setup where a few people in a conference room connect with remote workers on a Teams meeting. We've had some Teams and Zoom calls interrupted due to problems with the wireless and the wide-area network, as well as some other standard internet issues. Meraki is a decent solution for a small company, and we use it in a pretty typical way. We need Teams and Zoom to work, and we need a high level of security because we want our business to remain confidential.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    My company has been using Meraki Wireless for several years, but I've only been involved for a year and a half.

    How are customer service and support?

    I haven't interacted with technical support. I hire third-party technical staff, and they deal with all the actual support.

    What other advice do I have?

    I rate Cisco Meraki Wireless eight out of 10. My suggestion to anyone looking to implement this kind of solution is to use a smart consultant. I use technical consultants to handle things like picking out a solution. So I have one guy who says Ubiquiti would be a great platform, and the other says they think Meraki is the best platform.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: June 2024
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    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.