What is our primary use case?
I sell this solution to customers so that they can achieve their wired and wireless networking equipment and software tools to meet their needs. We are a networking company that focuses entirely on network solutions, such as switching, switch Layer 2, 3, Wi-Fi allowing access points, cloud and software products to mobile carriers, broadband service providers, and corporate enterprises. I sell to the hospitality industry.
How has it helped my organization?
The BeamFlex Adaptive Antenna Technology feature allows the client user to have a more reliable throughput and connectivity for their daily access point usage. This provides clients with a good continuous signal. There are no throughput issues with their WiFi connectivity. Their WiFi is quite stable now. If a client wants to connect to the internet or set up a LAN over the wireless network, everything runs well for them.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the signature feature from Ruckus; the feature is called the BeamFlex. BeamFlex adaptive antenna technology takes a more adaptable approach allowing the access point to continually sense and optimize for its environment. The signals can be sent in a particular predetermined direction as desired. The technology allows for electrically manipulated antenna properties creating optimal antenna patterns for each device with which they communicated: the signal is focused, where the user is positioning.
What needs improvement?
The biggest adjustment improvement will come from a price adjustment because the price is quite high; it feels like premium pricing. I suggest shaving off 10 percent to 20 percent. That would help grow users and increase the number of clients.
I'd also like to see some sort of product costing and billing ability. Because not all of the users have their own producer version. We can take care of this on our end. Once we are able to bill clients for this service I think deployment will potentially go smoother.
For how long have I used the solution?
Three to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable. I've been quite impressed because the product is really, really good on the CLT among other things. The tool responds very well during deployment and it's adaptability is excellent when it's being used.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I'm quite impressed with the scalability. The solution can be deployed from a single SMB protocol dialect to a large number of users. The functionality is especially impressive when you have thousands of end users that you need to deploy to and the tool can support that level of functionality. It really doesn't matter the size of the enterprise from small, to medium, and large organizations the tool is equipped to handle them all.
Just as an example of the scalability of this product Google here in Indonesia used this solution to provide WiFi in remote locations. Last year the Asian Games were held here and several stadiums used this tool as their access point.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is also great. They have a portal and you can ask for open tickets. They offer a lot of options there and they also have a service provider here in Indonesia so you can meet the Principal. You are able to ask them directly or you can even direct them to your user. The support is quite good.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Our clients used several brands prior to making the change such as Cisco, HP network, and Dell EMC network as well. They changed to Ruckus because they didn't feel satisfied with the product they were currently using. The majority of the problems stemmed from access point issues; the access point offer through these brands wasn't adaptable and compatible with their needs.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was quite straightforward. There is an initial need to arrange a lot of the setup on the user side such as setting up the controller and setting up the access point, but all in all, things are straightforward.
Deployment depends largely on project size. If you are talking about a small office, using ten to twenty access points could take between one to two weeks. We provide the initial setup, then we set up the controller and all the access points. When the unit is in place that's it for us on the client end. The only thing left is to set up the back end; the controller to connect to the user's network.
The work is managed by engineers and technicians.
What about the implementation team?
I've used serval integrators for deploying the solution. I used one of the best integrators here in the nation called GIF. They are the biggest integrator solution partner for hospitality in South East Asia. I can recommend them.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is quite expensive. If you were to compare the solution, license, and pricing with another brand, I think Ruckus still have the most competitive pricing cost per feature rate among them all. For instance, drawing comparisons with similar products offered through HP or Dell EMC, Ruckus' price reasonable.
The licensing is great; it's more flexible than the other brands as well. For example, we can buy the license for upgrading the controller on an as needed basis. The other brands don't offer this option.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Before settling on Ruckus we evaluated every big tender. One of our main competitors is the HP network, as well as Cisco.
What other advice do I have?
The setup is straightforward. Our company goes to the client's location. We set up the POC for the client. Then we pass the throughput so that our access point can communicate with the provider and in with the POC, we can tell the access point through Ruckus is preferential.
I recommend finding a good system integration partner to assist with the job. If you don't, the strategy for deployment becomes confusing and the result can be disappointing.
I rate this product a strong 9 out of 10! The product is excellent, the support is very good, the hardware is good, and the software powering the hardware is also very good.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.