Fortinet FortiWLM and Aruba Access Points compete in the network management category, each offering unique features tailored to different user needs. Fortinet appears to have an advantage with its emphasis on security integration and support, while Aruba excels in flexibility and ease of deployment.
Features: Fortinet FortiWLM is noted for its centralized management, integrated security features, and seamless roaming capabilities. It benefits users with Fortinet's Security Fabric, which unifies control over various products. Aruba Access Points offer reliability, easy setup, and high-performance roaming. The virtual controller eliminates additional hardware needs, simplifying management and providing robust connectivity.
Room for Improvement: Fortinet FortiWLM could improve its centralized management and reporting features, requiring fewer external tools like FortiAnalyzer. Enhancing automation in guest management and better service contract policies could boost its appeal to small businesses. Aruba Access Points need improvements in pricing consistency, coverage, and integration, along with support and licensing clarity.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Fortinet FortiWLM's on-premises solution is highly rated for its responsive technical support, aided by dedicated sales engineers. Aruba provides flexibility with on-premises, hybrid, and cloud deployments, yet receives mixed support reviews due to response and escalation issues. Fortinet's consistent support offers an edge in customer satisfaction, with Aruba's diverse deployment options providing useful flexibility but needing better support services.
Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiWLM is considered cost-effective, particularly for educational institutions, due to its all-inclusive pricing. However, additional costs may arise in the RMA process. Aruba Access Points balance cost and features well, with their pricing sometimes more attractive than Cisco's, though annual licensing is required. Both provide reasonable ROI, but Fortinet's integration of security and management may offer a more compelling reduction in total cost of ownership.
Because of this security framework, it helps implement a zero touch approach, protecting against unauthorized access and vulnerabilities.
For technical support alone, I would give them a score of nine out of ten.
Aruba's country manager is very responsive and supportive.
The local support we receive from our distributor is perfect.
If we encounter any bugs, they inform us of the recommended configuration and firmware to resolve our problems.
With active maintenance, we can open tickets and receive professional assistance without issues.
Aruba access points integrate well with existing networks via PoE switches.
While scaling up to five hundred users, it may cause some performance issues.
Fortinet's solutions are integrated into many standard frameworks, allowing for good scalability and interaction with other vendors' products.
Some customers comment that the shape and size of the access point is a little big, especially the one installed in the guest room.
I would like Aruba to provide integration capabilities for Microsoft Entra ID, Azure Directory, or other identity verification engines like Okta, Google Identity, or Ping Identity.
Firmware upgrades and bug improvements need to be tested well.
Regarding the integration with other vendors, we try to buy only products from a single vendor to avoid problems of compatibility from devices of different vendors.
One area that needs improvement is the configuration aspect, which is more challenging compared to other products.
The pricing is reasonable and lower than competitors.
They are priced at half the rate of Juniper access points for basic models.
Fortinet's pricing is different from Aruba, as Aruba has solutions for small business and enterprise in different categories.
While the pricing of Fortinet FortiWLM is a bit high, it remains effective.
The price is competitive.
The ease of management with Aruba access points enables customers to connect them directly to their network via a PoE switch and manage them remotely from mobile devices.
It is very reliable, and the cost of the hardware is not much compared to Cisco and other products.
The unique selling point of Aruba Access Points is the ClearPass technology which HPE has to offer.
It also has integration capabilities with FortiFirewall which is beneficial for customers.
The solution is controlled from one device and one GUI for all devices.
I primarily use Fortinet FortiWLM for creating SSIDs and defining VLANs.
Aruba Access Points are a preferred choice for enterprises, providing efficient wireless connectivity across corporate settings, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities with both indoor and outdoor deployment options.
Aruba Access Points deliver reliable Wi-Fi and network access tailored for enterprise and guest connectivity, supporting IoT devices in diverse environments such as warehouses and offices. They ensure secure connections with features like VPN management and 802.1x authentication, along with flexibility in deployment. Users can benefit from their robust warranty, ease of use, and seamless integration possibilities. The devices facilitate convenient management through both on-premise and cloud solutions, although there is a need for improved coverage, security, and integration features.
What are the standout features of Aruba Access Points?In specific industries, Aruba Access Points are implemented to enhance patient record access and guest connectivity in healthcare, support interactive learning environments in education, and streamline operations in warehouses with IoT integration. Their deployment aligns with industry-specific requirements, ensuring reliable connectivity and secure access to critical applications.
Consolidate security and wireless LAN management with our integrated wireless solutions. Single-pane-of-glass management for security and access without the need to add point products simplifies deployment and reduces management complexity. These solutions are highly scalable to support even the largest organizations and distributed enterprises.
We monitor all Wireless LAN reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.