Item: Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points
Rating: 9
Author: Victor Lau

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Point

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Utilized in parts of the organization. The Meraki cloud controller eases remote configuration to minimize time-consuming travel to sites. The Meraki solution is full-featured, there are settings to allow for secure staff corporate access while additional settings for guest WiFi access. Any configuration settings can be remotely applied and can be immediately tested. Filtering functionality allows for restriction of applications, URLs, or categories. The Meraki dashboard is quite intuitive and there is a good listing of available documentation or blogs to assist with more complex setups.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Easy remote configuration and administration through the Meraki dashboard
Firewall settings to restrict or block applications
Current WiFi technology and good performance
Great technical support and responsiveness

Cons

Requires a Meraki license to operate
Cost of licenses can add up
Performance is good but may lag a bit with the competition
Plastic housings give the product a cheaper look and feel

Return on Investment

Lower travel expenses due to access to configuration on the Meraki dashboard.
Lower solution costs as it includes features that competitors would charge additional amounts.
Increased costs due to the requirement for Meraki licensing.

Alternatives Considered

Aruba Networks Wireless LAN (WLAN) and Cisco Aironet Access Points

Meraki is a good choice for a full featured solution for many remote locations and varying type of WiFi users. Not a great solution for single site or few type of WiFi user profiles. Not well suited for large sites as the license costs compound and will be less costly to use an on premise Controller.

Key Insights

Do you think Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points's feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Cisco Meraki MX, Cisco Meraki MS, Cisco Meraki SD-WAN

Likelihood to Recommend

Any uses where remote administration is a requirement as the solution allows for easy setup over the internet. Any uses where there are many geographic locations that are administered from a central office. Sites that require different WiFi profiles and access to advanced features for restricting, blocking, or limiting applications.

Using Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Point

Users and Roles

4 - Technical functions such as networking, network design, WAN integration, professional services related to LAN and WAN. Overall network integration service using in house build network solutions over fiber, copper, and cellular wireless. The WiFi Access Point enables mobility and ability to conduct meetings on the fly. This enables the design team to function as a cohesive group.

Support Headcount Required

1 - The Cisco Meraki WiFi Access Point is quite easy to administer and monitor. The tools are all included in the Meraki provided dashboard. There were skills required to physically cable and mount the device but other than that the setup was easy. Having the provided dashboard in the cloud enables easy access to the portal.

Business Processes Supported

Current WiFi technology
Easy setup and administration
Good technical use cases and support

Innovative Uses

Simple to add additional administrators
Easy to monitor and restrict usage
Easy to modify the configuration on the fly

Future Planned Uses

Easy to add more WiFi devices
Easy to add Meraki MS LAN gear to the dashboard
Easy to add Meraki MX to the dashboard

Likelihood to Renew

The Cisco Meraki WiFi Access Point dashboard and support license is mandatory so to continue usage we will need to renew the license. We may opt to purchase a more current WiFi generation device if something newer is available at that time. Currently, happy with the use of the dashboard as it is very feature rich.

Evaluating Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Point and Competitors

Products Replaced

Yes - The Cisco Meraki WiFi Access Point replaced a previous generation Aruba WiFi Access Point. The Meraki dashboard sold us on the features of monitoring and administration. The dashboard is easy to navigate and find all the support requirements to support the WiFi solution. This dashboard is a big plus over any other solutions.

Key Differentiators

Product Features
Product Usability
Product Reputation
Prior Experience with the Product

The dashboard feature set is the most important factor in choosing the Meraki solution. The dashboard is well designed and easy to navigate. Also having the same dashboard accommodate future Meraki products is a key factor, never having to switch to a different platform as everything in the Meraki family is consolidated in the same dashboard.

Evaluation Lessons Learned

There was no real change in the process, we did look over the technical feature set of the WiFi hardware and they were basically the same as all of the competition. What set Meraki apart is their feature rich dashboard with easy navigation. Having the Meraki dashboard made it an easy choice when it comes to supporting the overall solution.

Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Point Implementation

Implementation Rating

There were documents that detailed how the WiFi Access Point was to be installed and mounted. The only issue was to cable the device, we use a third party for this type of work and typically has to be performed after normal business hours. Other than that, the installation was easy.

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Implementation Phases

Implementation Issues

Cabling
Physical mounting
Obtaining building access

Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Point Support

Support Rating

We have not had any issues with the Meraki WiFi Access Point hardware but we did encounter a problem with a Meraki LAN switch that failed to power up. Upon a email into the Meraki Support, they promptly called back and we went over some quick tests to determine a power supply problem. A replacement LAN switch was sent to me the next day.

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response	None

Premium Support

Not Available

Bug Resolution

Exceptional Examples of Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points Support

We did have an issue with a Meraki LAN switch that failed to power up, we called into Meraki support and they responded within an hour. Upon quickly diagnosing an issue with the LAN switch power supply, the support resource started to dispatch a replacement LAN switch. I received the replacement the next day. Great support!

Using Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Point

Usability

The Meraki dashboard is an excellent tool to administer and manage the Meraki WiFi Access Point. Navigating the dashboard is intuitive and there are lots of use cases on the Meraki site. The dashboard is the key to having a great administrative experience with the product, easy to use, fast to find information.

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using	None