

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN and Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access compete in the wireless LAN and secure network access sectors, respectively. Cisco Meraki holds an advantage in cloud management and ease of use, while Fortinet FortiSwitch excels in integration with security components.
Features: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is celebrated for its robust cloud management, which simplifies remote troubleshooting and provides extensive network visibility. It integrates seamlessly with other Cisco products, offering a straightforward operational flow and centralized control. The deployment and management are extremely user-friendly, making it a go-to option for businesses seeking simplicity. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access stands out with enhanced security features, integrating closely within its security fabric. Its seamless combination with FortiGate provides a consolidated management console, perfect for enterprises prioritizing security.
Room for Improvement: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN could enhance sensor integration and security details on dashboards for user provisioning. Users express challenges in executing advanced configurations and the expenses of licenses. Fortinet FortiSwitch could benefit from better pricing and improved orchestration, alongside enhancing integration with non-FortiGate systems. Users also note the absence of certain advanced features and the complexity in integrating with other networks.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN offers a wide range of deployment options across on-premises, private, public, and hybrid clouds, meeting varied business needs with flexibility. Its customer service is reputed for its responsiveness, with high satisfaction levels among users, though its online resources could be improved. Fortinet FortiSwitch, primarily an on-premises solution, may not offer equal deployment flexibility but is commended for its security prowess. Customer support receives mixed feedback, with opportunities for improved communication and response times.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN’s pricing is considered higher than some competitors, with its subscription model incurring ongoing annual costs. Despite this, its ROI is justified by comprehensive features and integration capabilities. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access, while cheaper than Cisco in some cases, is still costly compared to other vendors. It offers good value through its robust security and functionality, with a simple licensing model that does not always necessitate a subscription.
I would rate Cisco support a 10, as the response time and process via the dashboard are easy, and response times are always within the SLA.
It would be better if the SLA of technical support was less than four hours.
There are some problems with their technical support when it comes to the whole Meraki system.
They are knowledgeable, professional, and assist with any issues.
It's a potential area for improvement, possibly in terms of response time or quality.
My local support is working fine, and I have my connection with my account manager in the public company of Fortinet.
Meraki is not scalable enough since it straightforwardly maps its products to segmented specifications.
With uniform Fortinet FortiGate switches, adding or removing switches without reconfiguring individually is straightforward.
You just need to connect another switch or replace the current one, and it integrates well with the existing setup.
For enterprise solutions, it's extendable easily with options for edge connectivity or stackable devices.
We have experienced many instances where we have experienced a lag in our network, and I am not sure if it is due to their devices or our network.
Stability is not an issue for me because it comes with Cisco's proven manufacturer quality.
The tool is robust and lasts for three to four years without needing replacement.
I would give it a nine out of ten for stability.
The stability has been good overall.
The most important improvement needed is to eliminate the limitation of uplinks.
Some of the newer models of the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN access point have encompassed the new wireless protocols and increased the strength of their antennas.
The solution supports Wi-Fi 6.
The introduction of AI integration could be valuable for detecting abnormal traffic directly on the switch.
The machine is robust and lasts for years with rare technical issues.
The pricing of Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is not competitive enough for the SMB market compared to other brands.
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is on par with other devices in that category, offering competitive pricing.
My experience with the pricing of Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is that it is competitive with other providers offering paid subscriptions.
It has increased by about two hundred percent over the past three years.
The initial cost of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is high compared to other options.
It also manages security clients and switches, providing a single dashboard to manage multiple network infrastructures.
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN has helped optimize network traffic very effectively, as we do prioritization for streaming and web conferencing apps, resulting in a clear, visible improvement in performance.
All auditing and event logs are centralized in the dashboard.
This centralized management saves time and ensures seamless scalability.
The powerful integration capabilities allow us to manage all devices from a single interface through the firewall.
One of the main features is the integration with FortiGate.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN | 9.3% |
| Aruba Wireless | 12.3% |
| Ruckus Wireless | 10.8% |
| Other | 67.6% |
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access | 4.2% |
| Cisco Ethernet Switches | 8.8% |
| Aruba Switches | 8.6% |
| Other | 78.4% |


| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 70 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 27 |
| Large Enterprise | 31 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 38 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 6 |
| Large Enterprise | 7 |
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN provides cloud-based management for remote configuration and network monitoring. It simplifies deployment and offers centralized control alongside high visibility.
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is ideal for managing complex networks and infrastructures without on-site controllers. It features an intuitive dashboard for seamless device integration and robust security, ensuring stable connectivity. Users can easily make network adjustments, track real-time analytics, and set multiple access IDs. While effective, areas needing enhancement include detailed logging, improved security features, more competitive licensing, and better integration with other solutions. Advanced user and support features could also see upgrades, and its dashboard functionality may benefit from improvements. Feedback indicates concerns about coverage, device management, and technical support. Customization, scalability, and compatibility limitations are noted compared to some competing solutions.
What are Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN's features?Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is widely used across sectors like education, healthcare, retail, and corporate environments to manage client and guest access, secure networks, and integrate IoT devices. Schools, hospitals, offices, and data centers deploy it for its ease of deployment and centralized management. Resellers and integrators utilize it for networking and security solutions to ensure reliable connectivity in diverse environments.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access offers centralized control and seamless FortiGate integration, enhancing network management and security with single-console operations. Known for user-friendly configurations, it supports VLAN, PoE, and cloud-based management.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access provides a powerful network management solution, emphasizing integration with FortiGate for streamlined operations and enhanced security protocols. Its interface and straightforward configuration support effective device management. While recognized for robust performance and affordability, users seek improvements in pricing, support, and firmware reliability. FortiSwitch fits into industries such as education, healthcare, and retail, providing secure remote access and connectivity for campus environments and remote sites. Clients value its comprehensive management features but suggest enhancements in standalone management, terminology clarity, and initial setup.
What are the key features?In industries like education, healthcare, and retail, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is implemented to manage network security and infrastructure efficiently. Organizations use it to integrate with FortiGate, ensuring centralized management and improved security. It is deployed for secure remote access and connectivity for campuses and remote sites, enhancing security requirements in these sectors. Fortinet partners and customers benefit from its advanced management features, supporting VLANs and access-level connectivity for phones and computers, aligning with industry-specific demands.
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