Lead Network Engineer at a energy/utilities company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Real User
Top 20
Useful for enterprise deployments but pricing is expensive
Pros and Cons
  • "Before COVID, the emphasis was primarily on wireless connectivity in specific areas like conference rooms. However, with the shift to remote work and increased mobility, coverage areas needed to be expanded to accommodate users throughout the entire location. We are beginning to expand our infrastructure."
  • "Cisco Wireless needs to improve pricing. I understand that Cisco products are typically more expensive than other vendors. Therefore, I believe that adjusting the pricing could potentially be beneficial. Discounts may be available depending on the customer or type of purchase, which could help offset the higher costs."

What needs improvement?

Cisco Wireless needs to improve pricing. I understand that Cisco products are typically more expensive than other vendors. Therefore, I believe that adjusting the pricing could potentially be beneficial. Discounts may be available depending on the customer or type of purchase, which could help offset the higher costs.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with the product since 2008. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Before COVID, the emphasis was primarily on wireless connectivity in specific areas like conference rooms. However, with the shift to remote work and increased mobility, coverage areas needed to be expanded to accommodate users throughout the entire location. We are beginning to expand our infrastructure. 

How are customer service and support?

I wouldn't give support a ten out of ten since we may get bad engineers for support.

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How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

I rate the tool's deployment an eight out of ten. The deployment time for a new project depends on various factors, such as the size of the network and the need for planning and gathering necessary information. The most time-consuming aspect is determining the placement of access points. However, configuring the wireless control is generally straightforward.

The maintenance required for Cisco Wireless depends on the specific deployment and deployment model. Generally, some level of maintenance will be necessary, such as keeping the software up to date.

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

I rate the tool's pricing a ten out of ten. It is expensive compared to Aruba and Juniper. 

What other advice do I have?

The scenario where Cisco Wireless significantly improved network performance isn't directly about performance but adaptability. With the shift to remote work during COVID, everyone became more mobile. Now, returning to the office, there's less reliance on fixed connections. People need to be adaptable. We need mobile devices like laptops and tablets, which rely on wireless connections to enable this. Transitioning from a wired setup to a wireless one allows for greater adaptability.

Currently, we only have wireless control for managing the wireless network. We're seeking a solution to handle wireless and wider network management. The product integrates easily with the existing infrastructure, like routers and switches. 

I rate the overall product an eight out of ten. Whether to recommend Cisco Wireless to others depends on several factors. If they already have a Cisco deployment of devices, it's often easier to integrate and manage, making it a suitable choice. However, other products like Aruba might be more cost-effective. Cisco Wireless is particularly well-suited for enterprise deployments. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Muhammad Harun-Owr-Roshid - PeerSpot reviewer
CEO at BRIGHT-i SYSTEMS LIMITED
Reseller
Top 10
Offers central management, reliability, ensures the bandwidth, and segregates the network
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution offers central management, reliability, and signal, ensures the bandwidth, and segregates the network. It also maintains the authentication process in the compass solution, which is good regarding multiple software."
  • "The solution should introduce natural language troubleshooting processes. It will identify possible problems or errors due to the symptoms."

What is our primary use case?

We provide solutions to a university and Cisco Wireless is one of them. 

What is most valuable?

The solution offers central management, reliability, and signal, ensures the bandwidth, and segregates the network. It also maintains the authentication process in the compass solution, which is good regarding multiple software.

What needs improvement?

The solution should introduce natural language troubleshooting processes. It will identify possible problems or errors due to the symptoms.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product is stable.

I rate the solution’s stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is good for expansion. We cater the solution to enterprise businesses.

I rate the solution’s scalability a seven out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

Sometimes, the solution has lingering issues with the other dependencies.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is a bit complex. It depends on the project size and requirements. It takes almost a day, excluding the infrastructure part.

I rate the initial setup an eight out of ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy.

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

Cisco’s pricing is top ranking in the market and the competition out of 300 products. It is moderate. Cisco Wireless has a complex licensing model. While some features are offered without a license for integration and central management, others require licensing for activation. SmartNet support and other tools are also necessary, adding to the complexity. Segregating the costs into one-time payments for integration licenses and separate payments for SmartNet could reduce overall costs.

What other advice do I have?

We recommend Cisco for enterprise customers because they are already invested in Cisco solutions. Once the setup is complete, they can utilize existing accessories. Additionally, Cisco provides fantastic support and robust product features, making it a reliable, high-performance solution for network needs.

Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
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Cisco Wireless
May 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Wireless. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
771,346 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Information Technology Infrastructure Team Lead at Saptaindra
Real User
The enterprise environment seamlessly integrates with it
Pros and Cons
  • "All the features of the solution are good. The enterprise environment seamlessly integrates with Cisco Wireless. I have contacted customer service and support about licenses and other technical aspects. I have not faced any issues. The solution is good for our environment."
  • "The solution's pricing should be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution because we consistently upgrade the laptops and desktops to ensure synchronization with the SIP set.

What is most valuable?

All the features of the solution are good. The enterprise environment seamlessly integrates with Cisco Wireless.

What needs improvement?

The solution's pricing should be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?


How are customer service and support?

I have contacted customer service and support about licenses and other technical aspects. I have not faced any issues.

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

In my latest company, we use Aruba Networks and Cisco Wireless on-site. We use Aruba for IPs on Azure, while Cisco Wireless is used on Azure as well due to the high cost of data processing. For Aruba, we use models like the 5747 and the latest 370 series. In addition, there are other services like the 7200 controller and the 5700 series used across various rooms.

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

The pricing is a bit high, and I would rate it a six on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the most expensive.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?


What other advice do I have?

The solution is good for our environment. Overall, I rate it a perfect ten.

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

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Hassen Ellouze - PeerSpot reviewer
Co-Director at Proxym Group
Reseller
Top 5
Offers good flexibility, security, coverage, and stability
Pros and Cons
  • "Cisco Wireless improves mobility and flexibility. The only case we are working on is with hospitals, focusing on the mobility of doctors within the hospital. Everywhere, doctors need to be connected to the network, even within the operating theater, patient rooms, and even the basement, like the radiology department. As far as the solution goes, the coverage is usually very comprehensive."
  • "For pricing, Cisco has to make an effort, or Cisco has to improve the distribution channel."

What is our primary use case?

We have to set up the whole solution. The wireless network is a big part of the solution because of the mobility within the hospital. Doctors use their smartphones to access the system, so they need very stable and strong wireless connectivity. 

The hospital layout means a doctor might be quite far from the room, and there could potentially be a significant signal problem. With Cisco, we don't have this problem.

How has it helped my organization?

Cisco Wireless improves mobility and flexibility. The only case we are working on is with hospitals, focusing on the mobility of doctors within the hospital.

Everywhere, doctors need to be connected to the network, even within the operating theater, patient rooms, and even the basement, like the radiology department. As far as the solution goes, the coverage is usually very comprehensive.

I would rate the impact of the implementation of Cisco Wireless on the overall IT infrastructure and user experience a seven out of ten, with ten being very positive impact. 

What is most valuable?

It offers good security, coverage, and stability. I like these aspects.

What needs improvement?

For pricing, Cisco has to make an effort, or Cisco has to improve the distribution channel.

It means when I send an email or when I have a complaint, for example, there is a Cisco distributor, and it's in competition with others. 

I have to escalate this case to Cisco, and it will help us to improve our business with Cisco and prevent us from going to other solutions like Aruba or now Fortinet. We have some good switches and access point controllers now.

So, sometimes, when we find some problems with Cisco's distribution channel, we switch our customers to other brands.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability a nine out of ten. Within our customers, the hospital infrastructure is established from the first day, and it's still stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The hospital was 100 beds and still is, for ten years. So, we didn't really experience the scalability of this kind of solution.

So, I don't have experience with the scalability of the solution. We usually have medium-sized businesses. We work ith hospitals that have 100 to 200 beds. This is our market. We have the same kind of clients. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was difficult the first time, but now it's easy for us.

We have to test the coverage area; the configuration will take us one day. But to test the coverage area, it will take maybe ten days to two weeks.

What about the implementation team?

We set up the whole network, including the privileged network, wireless network, and security with firewalling.

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

It is an expensive product. I would rate the pricing a nine out of ten, with ten being expensive. 

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten. 

I would recommend using it because of my good experience with it. They are stable and secure. All good experiences.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
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Data Communications Manager at a financial services firm with 5,001-10,000 employees
Real User
Helps with user access and comes with high bandwidth
Pros and Cons
  • "The tool's most valuable features are security, flexibility, user activity, and high bandwidth."
  • "Cisco Wireless needs to improve compatibility with Apple devices. Its deployment should also be made easier. It should also reduce the complexity around security."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product for user access. 

What is most valuable?

The tool's most valuable features are security, flexibility, user activity, and high bandwidth. 

What needs improvement?

Cisco Wireless needs to improve compatibility with Apple devices. Its deployment should also be made easier. It should also reduce the complexity around security. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the product for more than ten years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the product's stability an eight out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate Cisco Wireless' scalability a nine out of ten. My company has 5000 users. 

How was the initial setup?

I rate the tool's deployment a seven out of ten. We encounter challenges setting up attributed domain groups, country portals, and consoles. It takes six months to complete. Initially, our process involves identifying the requirements, evaluating different brands, and selecting a suitable solution. Once we finalize the details, we will create a digital deployment plan. The actual deployment starts based on this plan.

Regarding the deployment team, we require four engineers for the deployment process. You need security engineers to handle the deployment. 

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

I rate the tool's pricing a seven out of ten. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated Aruba and Fortinet products before choosing the solution. We chose it because of the stability and local support. 

What other advice do I have?

Reviewing the security requirements is essential because security is complex and requires detailed policies to control access to the network environment. I rate the product 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.
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Fahad Doguwa - PeerSpot reviewer
Deputy Manager at Central Bank of Nigeria
Real User
Top 10
Advanced features needed, stable and good support
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features are mobility and security."
  • "The solution could improve by having more advanced features, such as AI that is able to do diagnosis on the network or detect incorrect configurations and is able to tell you what is the recommended practice. Additionally, it would be a benefit to have smart antennas that are able to track your movement, Wi-Fi 6 support, better transfer rates, low latency, stronger signals that can penetrate thick walls, and zero packet losses."

What is our primary use case?

We use Cisco Wireless so that our users can have conductivity within the building.

How has it helped my organization?

Cisco Wireless has improved our productivity.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are mobility and security.

What needs improvement?

The solution could improve by having more advanced features, such as AI that is able to do diagnosis on the network or detect incorrect configurations and is able to tell you what is the recommended practice. Additionally, it would be a benefit to have smart antennas that are able to track your movement, Wi-Fi 6 support, better transfer rates, low latency, stronger signals that can penetrate thick walls, and zero packet losses.

We want a solution that can do flex connect allowing the solution to resolve the clients without depending on the controller. The controllers should only do the policy automation, or the configuration change. We don't want the controller to be in line with the data phase.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used Cisco Wireless within the last 12 months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of the solution has been fine for over a decade. The newer solutions will have better technology and will give us more.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. We have not had any congestion issues.

We have over 5,000 users using this solution. Will would increase the usage of this solution if more users need access.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support from Cisco is very good.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is not difficult and took approximately two weeks.

What was our ROI?

Cisco Wireless has saved us some costs because you don't need to provision network points for every new staff. All we do is give the staff an IT work tool, such as a wireless laptop or a wireless computer, and they can be part of the network as soon as possible.

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

We have to pay for the hardware and support is extra and we do pay for the support.

What other advice do I have?

My advice to others wanting to implement this solution is they should have very good support. You don't have to be a leader in the market. They don't have to be challengers. You don't have to be a visionary. If you have very good support clients will be happy with the product.

I rate Cisco Wireless a five 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.
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Domain Architect at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Scalable, great for large enterprises, and has good technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The stability of the solution is good."
  • "The new licensing model isn't as good as what they had before."

What is our primary use case?

I've worked with system integrators and I have deployed the product on multiple types of environments. I've worked at the corporate offices. I've worked on 3G, 4G offloading, public Wi-Fi networks, et cetera.

How has it helped my organization?

You don't have to manage or deploy multiple types of Wi-Fi networks for different use cases. With something like Cisco, your one Wi-Fi solution can cover most or all of your use cases.

What is most valuable?

It is a good fit for large enterprises or even service providers.

Overall, it's a good solution.

The product is very scalable. 

It's configured well and it supports a lot of configuration options such as the proper corporate SSIDs, tunneling features, and integration with Cisco NACs, or other third-party NACs.

The stability of the solution is good.

The technical support has been helpful.

What needs improvement?

The third-party integration capabilities could be better. It still works within Cisco-related products, however, third-party integration is still something that needs some relaxing.

The new licensing model isn't as good as what they had before.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been dealing with the solution for more than a decade. It's been 10 or 11 years at this point.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It can scale into whatever level I want to go to. The actual wireless is quite scalable. Scalability is not any trouble.

How are customer service and technical support?

I've been satisfied with technical support. They are helpful and responsive.

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

I've also used Aruba. I actually prefer Aruba to Cisco.

How was the initial setup?

The solution has a moderate level of complexity when it comes to the initial setup. It's not too difficult. However, it's not as straightforward as one would hope, either. 

Depending on what type of network the customer wants, the deployment time varies. It can be either one SSID or a proper BYOD case with a corporate SSID, depending on the solution. 

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

With the new licensing model, the DNA licensing model, it's a bit on the expensive side. It used to have an option for the perpetual and subscription-based models, however, now they've started pushing you to the subscription models.

What other advice do I have?

I'm a Cisco partner.

I'd rate the product at a nine out of ten. Overall, we've been happy with the capabilities of the product.

That said, if I had to choose between Cisco and Aruba, I'd probably choose Aruba.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
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Senior Network Engineer at a museum or institution with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
Top 5
A stable and easy-to-manage solution with a straightforward initial setup
Pros and Cons
  • "The product is easy to manage."
  • "Sometimes our customers do not get proper IP addresses from the DHCP pool."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution to broadcast SSIDs. We have around 40 SSIDs with 150 access points across our organization.

What is most valuable?

The product is easy to manage. It is easy to create SSIDs and add access points to wireless controllers.

What needs improvement?

Sometimes our customers do not get proper IP addresses from the DHCP pool.

Clients should see our organization’s pop-up page when they connect to our SSID.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product has been stable for the last two years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Two people in my organization use the product.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is quite easy for me because I have experience using the solution.

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

The solution is a little expensive compared to other brands.

What other advice do I have?

Cisco is one of the main products in our region. People who want a solution with flexibility and security should choose Cisco. Overall, I rate the product an eight and a half out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Updated: May 2024
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