Miguel Pinhal - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Administrator at Inetum
Real User
Simple configuration, automatic updates, great for home remote work
Pros and Cons
  • "Meraki Dashboard does not require a lot of maintenance. Cisco tells communicates through the Meraki Dashboard web client, it will automatically send updates to the equipment. They will send you an email on what day the updates will take place. If you want to proceed, you can click on accept, or you can decline them and schedule the updates at another time."
  • "Meraki Dashboard could improve the user interface by making it more user-friendly. The configuring can at times be difficult."

What is our primary use case?

We use a private cloud that is owned by Cisco. We create an account and we can add devices via their MAC address. We then can configure them even before we take them out of the box or when they are on site. It saves a lot of time.

The main use for the Meraki Dashboard is instead of the traditional Cisco way of configuring things where you need a common line, with the Cisco Meraki Dashboard you can configure them through the web. You only need to configure it by doing some checkmarks and typing some IP addresses. It becomes a lot easier when configuring the whole equipment. You can also know the device locations of where they are installed. It will give you a Google Maps location of where the devices are.

How has it helped my organization?

Meraki Dashboard has improved organizations because the configuration of the solution is very easy. It has saved a lot of time.

What is most valuable?

Meraki Dashboard does not require a lot of maintenance. Cisco tells communicates through the Meraki Dashboard web client, it will automatically send updates to the equipment. They will send you an email on what day the updates will take place. If you want to proceed, you can click on accept, or you can decline them and schedule the updates at another time.

I have been happy with all the features that Meraki Dashboard provides.

What needs improvement?

Meraki Dashboard could improve the user interface by making it more user-friendly. The configuration can at times be difficult.

Also their support team could be better with response times.

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For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Meraki Dashboard for approximately eight months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is very good in the Meraki Dashboard. 

For example, when something is about to break, it will give you a warning, such as "There is a problem that I think will be happening. Let's fix them before it happens." 

How are customer service and support?

The support itself, it´s not been great. Long times waiting for them to pickup a phone call (1h30min) long or even more!

Cisco provides a 24x7 support if you are on an enterprise license.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Negative

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Meraki Dashboard is straightforward. You only need to click on add a new device, insert its MAC address, and then it is almost done. You have to type the name you want to give to the equipment, and the IP address, and you are finished.

The deployment takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

What about the implementation team?

We used an integrator which was the vendor's support.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of Meraki Dashboard is kinda expensive because knowing that it is a cloud-based solution has its benefits. 

What other advice do I have?

Meraki Dashboard is a great solution for every company. 

If you want ease and peace of mind throughout and especially if you are starting out with networking. This is a great solution to learn.

Where I see the real potential for today's networking, would be for the healthcare services.

I rate Meraki Dashboard a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Private Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Other
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Arquitecto de Soluciones at Fusionet Corporation
Real User
Top 20
User-friendly, rich in features, and helpful technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The ability to view the entire project stack, including the camera, features, and routers, which I believe are the most important or relevant components."
  • "I would like to receive decent notification alerts regarding the license's expiry. Or any help on correcting or optimizing licenses, because in certain circumstances you can add a license but it's the wrong licensing. However, the Dashboard adds the license in some way, and you do not utilize it. You can simply extend the license's expiration date."

What is our primary use case?

My professional role is to perform demonstrations and similar tasks in order to demonstrate the to our consumers the product.

We use Meraki Dashboard to monitor some features or configurations and similar things.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of this solution are the map, the port's activities, the statistics, as well as the logs and reports. 

The ability to view the entire project stack, including the camera, features, and routers, which I believe are the most important or relevant components.

What needs improvement?

Just my password, but that's because I forget it from time to time, but the recovery process is far too simple.

I would like to receive decent notification alerts regarding the license's expiry. Or any help on correcting or optimizing licenses, because in certain circumstances you can add a license but it's the wrong licensing. However, the Dashboard adds the license in some way, and you do not utilize it. You can simply extend the license's expiration date.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Meraki Dashboard for approximately three years.

I am a current user and use this solution once a week.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have 50 users in our organization.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is good. I would rate the technical support a four out of five.

How was the initial setup?

I believe the initial setup is easy. It is not complex.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Licensing fees are paid on a yearly basis.

It's a standard licensing fee.

What other advice do I have?

It's a straightforward solution. Not at all complex.

I would rate Meraki Dashboard an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Meraki Dashboard
May 2024
Learn what your peers think about Meraki Dashboard. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
771,212 professionals have used our research since 2012.
IT Assocciate at UNDP
Real User
Top 20
Easy and useful setup manager, reliable, with simplicity all around
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is knowing the wireless and switch are healthy."
  • "I would like to see an alert event feature to monitor what users are downloading and how to block some applications."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use case is for monitoring switches and Azure networks, but the dashboard is very new from my perspective.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is knowing the wireless and switch are healthy. There is the monitoring feature and we can see someone using most of the bandwidth.

What needs improvement?

Monitoring overload is an area that can be improved. I would like to see an alert event feature that monitors what users are downloading and how to block some applications.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Meraki Dashboard for the past year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Meraki Dashboard is very stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Meraki Dashboard is scalable.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very useful and easy.  It is very simple like the manager.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Meraki Dashboard an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Dentist at Universidade Estácio de Sá
Real User
Easy to use and comprehensive
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features are that it's easy to use and technically very complete. I can configure, do advanced troubleshooting in the dashboard, and reboot access points remotely."
  • "More integration would be an improvement."
  • "The price could be lower because the license for access points is expensive."

What is our primary use case?

I use Meraki Dashboard for teachers' inventory, configuration, troubleshooting, reports, and management.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are that it's easy to use and technically very complete. I can configure, do advanced troubleshooting in the dashboard, and reboot access points remotely.

What needs improvement?

More integration would be an improvement - for example, I can manage the Cisco Meraki access point but not the Cisco access point.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for almost ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Meraki Dashboard's stability is very good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Meraki Dashboard is very scalable.

How are customer service and support?

Meraki's technical support is very good.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I previously used Motorola and Aerohive. We switched from Aerohive because it was hard to work, confusing, and not user-friendly.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was hard work because we had to implement more than 1000 access points in more than 70 independent networks. However, with the implementations done, I can now implement a new network in around ten minutes.

What about the implementation team?

The first implementation was done using a partner.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price could be lower because the license for access points is expensive. We pay almost $5000 for a three-year contract with Dashboard included.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated Fortinet.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Meraki Dashboard ten out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Administrator at SOURTHERN WAVES Solution
MSP
Top 5Leaderboard
Helps to manage network infrastructure but needs to improve integrations
Pros and Cons
  • "We greatly utilize the network because we can plug it into the DNS, VPN, or equipment. It's very good. Meraki Dashboard enhances wireless network management. We appreciate its flexibility, as it allows for easy suite configuration. We can handle everything on there when there's a policy or any other requirement."
  • "The tool needs to incorporate more integration platforms. Integrating technical support features directly into the dashboard would be highly beneficial. This would allow technicians to troubleshoot issues more efficiently."

What is our primary use case?

The tool's main use case for our logistics company is to manage our global network infrastructure. Employees can connect from any part of the world.

What is most valuable?

We greatly utilize the network because we can plug it into the DNS, VPN, or equipment. It's very good. Meraki Dashboard enhances wireless network management. We appreciate its flexibility, as it allows for easy suite configuration. We can handle everything on there when there's a policy or any other requirement.

The tool's real-time monitoring capabilities are good. My experience with the mobile application management features of the Meraki Dashboard has been positive. Recently, a customer raised concerns about excessive bandwidth consumption in their network due to equipment connected to the Meraki dashboard. We quickly identified a new MAC address consuming bandwidth by enabling monitoring within the Meraki dashboard. Within minutes, we could pinpoint the issue and take necessary actions, such as limiting bandwidth or blocking the IP or MAC address from the network.

What needs improvement?

The tool needs to incorporate more integration platforms. Integrating technical support features directly into the dashboard would be highly beneficial. This would allow technicians to troubleshoot issues more efficiently. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the product for seven years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the tool's stability a ten out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the solution's scalability a ten out of ten. 

How was the initial setup?

The tool's deployment is not complex. The deployment process involved assessing the requirements, obtaining necessary permissions for network access, and proceeding with the installation and configuration.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Meraki Dashboard's pricing is reasonable. It is sold yearly, typically for one, three, or five years. I rate its pricing a five out of ten. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate the overall product a ten out of ten. I recommend considering Meraki Dashboard as it offers high security, stability, flexibility, and reasonable pricing.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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PeerSpot user
Delivery Manager Network Services at a retailer with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Top 20
A good network management tool that allows for full infrastructure visibility, but can be complex to configure and manage without specific knowledge
Pros and Cons
  • "We like the visibility this solution gives us of the infrastructure."
  • "This solution can be quite complicated to configure and manage, unless you have a technical person with specific knowledge working on it."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution as management software for the Meraki hardware appliances. This allows us to manage the network infrastructure over the platform.

What is most valuable?

We like the visibility this solution gives us of the infrastructure.

What needs improvement?

This solution can be quite complicated to configure and manage, unless you have a technical person with specific knowledge working on it.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been working with this solution for around eight years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We have found this to be a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

As this solution is cloud-based it is easily scalable.

What other advice do I have?

We would rate this solution a six out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Private Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Sanjeewa Perera - PeerSpot reviewer
Vice President - Information Technology at Asia Securities
Real User
Flexible, sustainable, with competitive pricing
Pros and Cons
  • "It is very stable and we have been using it for five years."
  • "When users are trying to roam from one location to another location, geographical tracking would be helpful."

What is most valuable?

We use most of the features, even the filtering, and layer three level filtering, and we are pulling to the wireless. Our whole network is wireless. The notification feature for detection is very good.

What needs improvement?

When users are trying to roam from one location to another location, geographical tracking would be helpful. When the administrator can arrange a locking feature it will be handy for others from a security perspective. I would like to see more communication, integration, and visibility.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Meraki Dashboard for around five years now.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is very stable and we have been using it for five years. We are not a twenty-four-seven operation but in that context, we have not had any downtime. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability is of a high level and is flexible.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The setup is not complex. The Meraki Dashboard has more competitive pricing because almost everybody has a Cisco dealer. They can play around with the margins.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We compared Meraki Dashboard with Aruba and both products are good.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Meraki Dashboard an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Senior Advisor at a recruiting/HR firm with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 10
Allows you to see what current data transfer rates are on switches in the dashboard and run cable tests from it
Pros and Cons
  • "We find that Meraki has all the features you need to be able to enable complex network protocols for AV equipment. We deal with a streaming product over IP, and Meraki is fantastic at that."
  • "It's a very complex system. Customers have told me that sometimes there are lots of advanced features that are available and that you can change in the dashboard, but sometimes it's very hard to know what they are."

What is our primary use case?

I'm a consultant. When a customer moves buildings, I help them understand what they're going to need for the new building. We put them in touch with all the right companies that can help put that together.

This solution is usually deployed in the cloud.

What is most valuable?

Meraki provides the most features. It's helpful to be able to see that your network is online. Something I love about Meraki is on all the Meraki switches in the dashboard, you can see what their current data transfer rates are, and you can run cable tests from it. We've used the cable test function numerous times. It's fantastic.

One of the things we love about Meraki is that we work a lot with audio visual systems for new buildings. We find that Meraki has all the features you need to be able to enable complex network protocols for AV equipment. We deal with a streaming product over IP, and Meraki is fantastic at that. With wireless presentation, you can set Bonjour and mDNS replication really easily on your wireless network and have it traverse different VLANs and different wireless servers. It's fabulous, but you have to know how to do it.

What needs improvement?

It's a very complex system. Customers have told me that sometimes there are lots of advanced features that are available and that you can change in the dashboard, but sometimes it's very hard to know what they are. It would be very helpful if next to a lot of the settings, they had a button you could click on, and it would explain what that setting actually does and how it affects your network.

Particularly when you're in the dashboard and particularly when you're looking at wireless networks, they have so many advanced options and they're hard to understand. A lot of people don't know what beacon intervalling is or even basic things like channels. 

Meraki has good documentation on their website, but if it was better linked with the dashboard, it would make it a lot simpler. Small businesses that we deal with use Ubiquiti. In their dashboard, next to every setting you can see what that setting does, which is really helpful. DrayTek is like that as well.

We always employ a third party who knows the system inside and out. If you apply it yourself, it would take you forever. From my perspective, that would be the number one thing I would want to see improved as a high-level person, because it would save us a lot of money if we didn't have to employ a third party.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution since before it was purchased by Cisco.

How are customer service and support?

I would give technical support an 8 out of 10. It's very good. We're very lucky. There are a couple of people who are based in Australia who are part of Meraki support, and they're easy to get a hold of and very helpful.

The reason I would mark them down by two points is that sometimes the system is a little bit automated, so it's hard to get to the person you want to talk to. They probably need more support staff, like with most companies. The response time can be a little bit slow sometimes.

How was the initial setup?

Initial setup is very complex.

What about the implementation team?

Every time we've deployed it, we've had to employ third parties to do it for us.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

My view is that it's expensive, but it's the best.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution 9 out of 10.

Every time we've deployed it, it's fantastic. It works great. You just have to understand that it's complex, but all systems are complex. Palo Alto is complex, Arista is complex, Extreme Networks is complex.

I would never recommend Meraki to someone who only has 100 users. They would need to have 300 users. For a small number of users, it's expensive, it's complex, and you really need to be able to afford to pay someone who knows how to use it. If you have 300 users, you can have a full-time network engineer.

If you want the best and you have the money, then get it.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Consultant
PeerSpot user
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Updated: May 2024
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free Meraki Dashboard Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.