What is Cisco Meraki? And do you need it?

Cisco Meraki is a cloud-based networking solution that provides centralized management and control for a wide range of network devices, including wireless access points, security appliances, switches, and mobile devices. It is a product line of Cisco Systems, Inc. that focuses on simplifying the deployment and management of enterprise networks.

Meraki's cloud-based architecture allows for easy configuration and management of network devices from anywhere, with an intuitive web-based interface that provides real-time visibility and control over the network. This enables IT teams to quickly deploy and manage networks, troubleshoot issues, and analyze network performance and usage.

Meraki's networking products are designed for a wide range of industries, including education, healthcare, retail, hospitality, and more. The product line includes wireless access points, security appliances, switches, cameras, mobile device management software, and other network devices that can be easily integrated and managed through the Meraki dashboard.

History

Cisco Meraki was founded in 2006 by three MIT graduates - Sanjit Biswas, John Bicket, and Hans Robertson - with the goal of simplifying the deployment and management of enterprise networks through cloud-based technology.

Initially, Meraki focused on providing wireless access points that could be easily managed through a cloud-based dashboard, allowing businesses to deploy and manage their networks remotely without needing to physically configure each device. In 2012, Meraki was acquired by Cisco Systems, Inc. for $1.2 billion, making it one of the largest acquisitions in Cisco's history.

Since the acquisition, Meraki has expanded its product line to include security appliances, switches, cameras, and mobile device management software, all of which can be easily managed through the Meraki dashboard. The company has also expanded its customer base to include a wide range of industries, from education and healthcare to retail and hospitality.

Today, Meraki is a key player in the cloud-based networking market, providing innovative solutions that simplify network management and improve the user experience for businesses and organisations of all sizes.

Best use case

Cisco Meraki is best suited for organisations and businesses that require a scalable, easy-to-manage network infrastructure. Some of the best use cases for Cisco Meraki include:

1. Enterprise networks: Meraki's cloud-based architecture makes it an ideal solution for large enterprises with complex network requirements. Its centralized management and control features allow for easy deployment, configuration, and monitoring of network devices.
2. Education: Meraki's network solutions are designed to meet the specific needs of educational institutions, with features such as content filtering and access controls that help ensure a safe and secure learning environment.
3. Healthcare: Meraki's network solutions can help healthcare organizations improve patient care and streamline operations by providing secure, reliable network connectivity for medical devices, electronic health records, and other critical applications.
4. Retail: Meraki's network solutions can help retailers improve customer experiences by providing reliable Wi-Fi access, location-based analytics, and other features that enable personalized interactions with customers.
5. Hospitality: Meraki's network solutions can help hotels and resorts provide reliable Wi-Fi access, streamline guest services, and improve operational efficiency.
6. Managed service providers (MSPs): Meraki's cloud-based architecture makes it an ideal solution for MSPs looking to provide their customers with scalable, easy-to-manage network solutions.