Everything you need to know: Cisco Meraki for SMEs

How to manage networks and security from the cloud

The growth of cloud computing has had an enormous effect on the accessibility and affordability of this technology; and network management is no different. Rather than taking multiple servers to fulfil your needs, all running in a separate computer (with a temperature controlled room to host them in), today, all the software you need can be delivered over the internet.

Forbes estimates that worldwide public cloud services will grow by almost 20% to total $141 billion by 2019, up from $70 billion in 2015.

 

What this means is that setting up a computer network has never been quicker or more cost-effective. As well as being easier to install, cloud networks require less ongoing support; so the cost burden on SMEs is significantly reduced. It’s no wonder, therefore, that more and more SMEs are looking to set up (or upgrade to) a cloud network, to help them get the most out of their IT.

 

So what do you need to consider when moving to the cloud? We’ve listed some of the benefits of a managed cloud network.

 

Key benefits of a managed cloud network:

• Easy to get up and running quickly
• Managed by a third party with all the expertise you need (removing the burden on your business)
• Reduction in costs with no controller hardware or management software to install and maintain
• Reduction in support costs (provided by vendor)
• Isolate and fix issues in minutes with remote troubleshooting tools
• Allows for massive scalability, giving you access to virtually unlimited resources and on-demand expansion
• Designed with mobile-working and modern devices in mind
• Benefit from regular firmware and security updates
• Resources such as servers and applications can be scaled up or down on demand.

How can you decide if cloud networks aren’t right for you? Disadvantages of a managed solution:

• Out of the box solution that might not immediately meet your precise needs
• You rely on third-party to keep you operational and secure (although reputable vendors have strict standards and SLAs in place).

Still unsure? Read our blog on migrating your IT infrastructure to the cloud.

Introducing Cisco Meraki for SMEs

Leading the way when it comes to simplifying and getting the most out of your cloud network is Cisco Meraki. With over 230,000 customers and three million network devices (and counting) across the globe, Cisco Meraki delivers out-of-the-box security, scalability, and management designed for the cloud and targeted at SMEs.

• Wireless LAN: Industry-leading indoor and outdoor 802.11ac wireless access points with built-in location analytics
• Security/SD-WAN: Unified Threat Management (UTM) devices with Software Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) capability included at no extra cost
• Switching: Branch and campus access and aggregation switches with remote packet capture and cable testing
• Communications: Sleek cloud-managed VoIP telephone, removing the need for a conventional PBX
• Mobility Management: Complete Enterprise Mobility Management solution including device, application, content, and identity management.

What are the common barriers to cloud network implementation?

The adoption of cloud-based technologies is increasing rapidly, but many companies are still unsure if it is right for their business. Common barriers to cloud adoption include:

Security

SMEs are very concerned about security. The more things move to the cloud, the more people worry about cybercrime. But the truth is, today’s cloud-based solutions are often more secure than existing on-premise ones. In fact, in almost all cases, where a breach or hack has happened, this has been down to a poorly designed and maintained system, not the cloud. In many instances, substantial investment would be required to make a traditional solution meet the security and reliability of the cloud.

Reluctance to change

One of the most significant barriers to cloud adoption is fear over what this might do to your day-to-day operations. Your current network does what it’s supposed to, so why bother switching? Well, in today’s competitive business world, just getting the job done isn’t enough. Instead, your technology should provide higher efficiency and savings. You don’t have to dive straight in, but take a look at Cisco Meraki and see how it compares to your traditional network (or what it can do for you if you don’t have one).

Costs

When it comes to investing in new technology, price is always going to be an issue. But while with an on-premise IT environment, spend is usually a capital expenditure, with managed cloud architecture the operational costs of your IT are ongoing and fixed; regardless of usage. So while you will pay a regular monthly cost, a cloud managed network will work out much lower than a traditional setup.

Lack of resources

Balancing IT changes with the staff needed to manage it is always a challenge.

Quite often, businesses can be slow to adopt new technology because they just don’t have the necessary resource to implement and maintain it.

However, with a managed cloud partner, the burden is removed from your shoulders. They look after your network while you focus on growing and running your business.

Getting management on board

Even where you have accepted the need to change and found the best cloud network solution, you still can’t progress without support from your management team. So, what can you do to encourage your business to take a more strategic view of technology investment?

• Conduct an audit. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to technology. Before you make a case for investment, figure out what you already have, how it works and what you are going to need. Find out more about how to conduct a network management audit later in this guide
• Communicate better. Most CEOs don’t want to be burdened with the details, they just want a solution that works. Find out how to give them this and enhance communication and agreement between IT and management teams
• Establish any security risks. If you are to convince your business to move to the cloud, an increased focus on security is to be expected. Be sure you are aware of each concern and find a way to address them
• Tackle data silos. Most businesses have a plethora of different information, stored in different places. But, a silo mentality is a huge barrier to business success and where individuals, departments and offices don’t share information with others, efficiency and productivity are both reduced. Look at how a new cloud-managed network could consolidate all this valuable data, and share it across your business
• Consider how to consolidate your IT architecture. As your business grows, managing disparate technology becomes increasingly complex and time-consuming. Rather than trying to patch this all together, spell out how a cloud-managed network could reduce your reliance on different systems, hardware, software, vendors, manufacturers, and storage platforms and deliver a more integrated approach
• Establish the TCO. As we have established, when it comes to investing in new technology, cost is always going to be an issue; and this is especially true for management teams. So when making your business case, set out the TCO.

Read six tips for Communicating network and security threats to the CEO

Is Cisco Meraki right for you?

A managed cloud network, done correctly, drives holistic and strategic change across all ends of your business. But is it right for your SME? To figure this out, conduct an audit to establish what you have, how it’s being used and what you need to make it better.

Consider things like:

• Do you have offices in different locations? And/or do you support mobile working practices (or should you)? A cloud network will allow your staff to connect to your computer network when they’re out and about, so they always have access to the files and applications they need
• Do you need to share files with colleagues? Once you have set up your computer network, everyone’s work will be saved and regularly backed up in a central and secure location
• Does your business share computers and other devices? For example, with a network, several computers can share the same printer
• Do your employees need access to the same software? Programs used by several people at once work best via a computer network
• Do you need to establish permission control? Networking lets you restrict access to certain files, folders or software
• Are you being realistic? Establish what you want your new cloud network to do and then be honest about whether your goals are achievable. And what you need to do to make them happen
• What resources will you need? Having a good understanding of the resources you need to complete any technology project is vital. You should also work out how much management time your network will need, who is going to do this, and what impact this will have on your day-to-day operations
• Work out your budget in full. The TOC of any cloud-managed network will depend on a wide range of factors, including what solution you choose, and the customisations necessary. Maintenance and running costs should also be taken into the equation
• Have you planned for the future? As with any business investment, future proofing is a must. Cisco Meraki will adapt and grow with your business long term.

Is it time for managed cloud? Find out with an IT audit.

Spotlight on Cisco Meraki

The companyA UK-based recruitment firm, with seven international offices and 250+ employees generated a massive amount of activity every day. This included over 5,000 calls and communications across ten countries. The challenge The existing on-premise solution provided limited visibility into how the network was being used and made it difficult to identify and resolve potential issues. Likewise, when changes needed to be made, IT staff had to go to the relevant site; a time-consuming and costly task. A smarter networking solution was needed. The solutionCisco Meraki was chosen to provide a complete view of the network. Centralised visibility and control allowed the business to efficiently and remotely manage its various locations, devices, access levels, and systems in one simplified web-based dashboard. The subscription model was also in line with the firm’s operational expenditure model of procuring technology services.The initial deployment was rapid. User and device groups were created with permissions established to give customisable access to corporate resources and bandwidth usage. Measures were also developed to prevent bandwidth hogging, and security procedures built so that the IT team no longer had to worry about who was connecting or what they were doing.The resultsWith a complete Cisco Meraki infrastructure in place, and across each office, the result was more simplified and centralised network management. The flexibility of Cisco Meraki also allowed the IT team to deploy quickly across various offices, without having to go on-site; as well the easy migration of devices between locations when needed.The tools available in the Meraki dashboard cut deployment times drastically, resulting in savings in both costs and time. The team was also able to quickly identify anomalies in the network and take proactive measures before any potential issues occurred.Cisco Meraki delivered everything the business needed out of the box.