Meraki Unboxed

Episode 96: A Network Overhaul to Future-proof Learning Jan 25, 2023

The Forest of Dean Trust, an education provider in the UK, and their preferred reseller, Redway Networks, recently decided to upgrade to Meraki. We discuss their journey to overhaul an outdated network and how that resulted in reduced IT notifications and better security, blocking more than 150 online threats in just the first two weeks of installation. Tune in today to hear the Meraki Magic come to life through this amazing story.

Episode 95: A look into Network Support @ Cisco Meraki Jan 12, 2023

Today we’re chatting with Tanner Yehlik, Network Support Engineer (NSE) at Meraki. He walks us through a day in the life of an NSE, discussing his unique approach to problem solving. Tanner opens up about how he remains cool, calm, and collected in the midst of high -stress situations, even sharing tips around how to approach troubleshooting before even needing to pick up the phone.

Episode 94: Learnings from the Blackhat Cybersecurity Event Dec 14, 2022

The Blackhat event series began in 1997, and is widely known in the cybersecurity world. In 2022, Meraki powered the networks that underpin the events, and it’s no soft option, as you’ll hear in this episode. We reflect on the experiences, lessons learned, and unique challenges these events present. Read the blog.

Episode 93: The Rise of Cellular WAN Nov 30, 2022

Cellular technologies have transformed the way we connect with one another, first with consumer devices, and now with powering full-on networks. We’re in conversation with Pratik Desai from Meraki Product Marketing, who helps provide a perspective on what we can do with cellular technologies and the opportunities that are opening up.

Episode 92: First Attempt in Learning Nov 16, 2022

Today we're sitting down with Archit Sachdeva, an incredible employee who's a part of Meraki's apprenticeship program. Learn a bit more about what the program entails by listening to Archit's unique story. He shares how he's been able to step outside the box, storytell on a daily basis to our customers, and grow his young career by helping create meaningful projects as a part of this program.

BONUS Episode 91: Milestones on the Meraki Journey Nov 09, 2022

In another bonus episode, we celebrate a Meraki milestone by tracking down Lawrence Huang, recently named SVP/GM of Cisco Networking, Meraki, and Wireless. Lawrence returns to the podcast to share a story of growth, and more importantly, of solving more and more of our customers’ problems. We’d love you to join us as we continue to grow. Head over to meraki.cisco.com/careers to see where you might fit.

Episode 90: Mighty Simple. How big companies learn from small Nov 02, 2022

A very positive trend in IT has been the democratization of enterprise-class features across organizations of every size. New and emerging small businesses are the growth engines of our economies, and have a lot to teach larger organizations about efficiency and speed. In this episode we’re discussing the fascinating dynamic between small and large businesses, and how technology underpins them all.

BONUS Episode 89: A Foundation for Esports Oct 26, 2022

Learn how Meraki powers Ottawa’s multiple campuses and championship esports program. Guest host Kaelie Lund, Global Customer Stories Manager for Cisco Meraki, speaks with Adam Caylor, Chief Technical Officer at Ottawa University. Explore the "entrepreneurial side of IT" and learn how launching an esports program can benefit students and universities alike.

Episode 88: Security and Zero Trust Fundamentals Oct 19, 2022

It’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect opportunity to talk about security fundamentals. We’re in discussion with two highly experienced Cisco security professionals who share some of their wisdom and best practices. Learn more from one of our guests in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9pkOr--wrg

Episode 87: Solving problems with the Meraki Ecosystem Oct 05, 2022

We’re welcoming a return guest to the podcast: Alicia Lorenzetti, who leads the Global Ecosystem and Marketplace team here at Cisco Meraki. You'll soon understand her passion for change and innovation, and how the power of our ecosystem partners and the Meraki Marketplace solves problems for our customers.

Episode 86: Enabling Seismic Shifts in Work Sep 21, 2022

Two monumental shifts – the move to the cloud, and the new reality of the hybrid workforce – have combined to pose an administrative challenge for IT and security. Cisco to the rescue, with a heavy sprinkling of Meraki secret sauce on top. Learn more at: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/plus-as-a-service/secure-connect.html

Episode 85: Smarter High Density Wi-Fi Sep 07, 2022

The challenge of raw Wi-Fi performance was solved long ago, yet high-density environments still create problems for network administrators and users. Fortunately, Cisco Meraki is on a relentless mission to identify and solve real-world challenges, as you’ll discover in this episode.

Episode 84: When Purpose and Passion Meet Aug 24, 2022

If you ask anyone why they love working at Cisco Meraki, they'll say ”the people!” In this episode, we sit down with one of those incredible Merakians. We learn about her career journey and how she balances motherhood and her enthusiasm for our employee resource group, Meraki Gives. She truly has the biggest heart, and you can hear the passion in her voice when she talks about giving back. You don't want to miss this one!

Episode 83: Building the Next Generation Dashboard Aug 10, 2022

The Meraki dashboard web GUI has been right at the heart of the cloud networking revolution, simplifying the lives of IT administrators the world over. Like everything else, progress demands evolution. In this episode we discuss the next generation of the dashboard— smarter, more helpful, and ready for what comes next.

Episode 82: Cloud Management Spreads its Wings Jul 27, 2022

The Meraki dashboard has proven hugely popular with network administrators the world over, so it was inevitable it would evolve to support more and more Cisco technology. In this episode, we unpack recent announcements that herald an exciting new journey of expansion for the platform.

Episode 81: Navigating Through Transformation Jul 13, 2022

Change can be tough, but it doesn't have to be as hard as we sometimes make it. Today we sit down with Hope Galley, a 20+ year Cisco veteran who leads the Cisco Meraki Global Channel Organization. Hope shares her career journey, opens up about overcoming hurdles and learning lessons, and discusses the importance of building/creating diverse teams. She'll tell you her superpower is leading large scale transformation, and provides tips and tricks on why she's been successful.

Episode 80: Democratizing Computer Vision Jun 29, 2022

We’re living in a time where artificial intelligence is starting to play a truly valuable role in solving problems and increasing efficiency. Meraki smart cameras can be so much more than security devices, and in this episode we learn how computer vision’s limits are only bound by our imagination.

Episode 79: The Solutionist Jun 15, 2022

From token ring to the cloud, Jeff Bright of Bright Systems has done it all. As a Meraki partner and Cisco Premier Integrator Partner, Jeff brings a wealth of experience and use cases to our discussion, and demonstrates how a passion for solving customer challenges has fuelled him for over 30 years.

Episode 78: Working with Service Providers Jun 01, 2022

Cisco Meraki's service provider footprint has exploded, and in this episode, we're digging into the recipe for success with Annie Shain, Director of Global Service Provider Sales. Annie brings a wealth of knowledge thanks to a 22-year career at Cisco, spending time in various leadership roles in the global service provider specialist organization, as well as employee resource groups.

Episode 77: The New Corporate Network May 18, 2022

Technologies like VPNs and SD-WAN have enabled the ubiquitous internet to serve as the new corporate network, largely displacing expensive private circuits. Maintaining a reliable experience means having the best possible insight into how every step from device to cloud is performing. New analytics capabilities are here to help.

Episode 76: Managing the Disruption of Hybrid Work May 04, 2022

Continuing our hybrid work series, we unpack some of the findings from our recent IDG survey on how others are experiencing this new working environment we find ourselves in. We’re joined by two senior leaders from Cisco Meraki to reflect on the findings, and we discuss our own experiences as employees navigate more choices.

Learn more in our whitepaper: https://meraki.cisco.com/experiences/hybrid-workforce/

Episode 75: Humanizing the Hybrid Work Experience Apr 20, 2022

Hybrid working, with a mix of remote and on-site employees, is now commonplace. How do we create work experiences that connect teams and maximize productivity in this new environment? We’re in discussion with Meraki technology partner Kloudspot, a company that is tackling this challenge head-on.

Learn more at kloudspot.com

Episode 74: Why Wi-Fi 6E Matters Apr 06, 2022

Just as the devices we use for work and play keep getting more powerful, so too must the networks that connect them. Wi-Fi 6E is an extension to the Wi-Fi 6 standard that unlocks greater bandwidth and less congestion. Sunmeel Bhumkar from Meraki Product Management joins us to explain.

Episode 73: Women in tech spotlight: Visionworks Mar 23, 2022

A 2020 study by the AnitaB.org Institute found that women make up 28.8% of the tech workforce in the US. At the current pace, it could take more than ten years for women to gain equal representation in the tech industry. Meet the women of Cisco Meraki and Visionworks of America who are challenging that projection.

Episode 72: A More Sustainable Data Center Mar 09, 2022

Returning to the topic of sustainability, we focus on how to build a more sustainable data center with the help of Meraki technology. We discuss simple best practices that anyone can implement, to help save both power consumption and money.

Episode 71: Startup to the Moon! Feb 23, 2022

Join us as we welcome Todd Nightingale, EVP/GM of Cisco’s Enterprise Networking & Cloud business. Todd shares his deep passion for networking and reflects on the growth and future of the Meraki business within Cisco. You don't want to miss this candid conversation with an amazing leader – be sure to tune in!

BONUS Episode 70: A Meraki Love Story for Valentines Day Feb 14, 2022

In the spirit of love, and Valentine's Day, we wanted to drop a little minisode to highlight a love story out of Cisco Meraki. Dominique & Alex Oryol, who have been at Meraki for over a decade, reside in the North Bay with their adorable baby boy Sammy. Let’s dive in and hear their story!

Episode 69: Unlocking the Full Potential of Meraki Feb 09, 2022

Learn how certification courses can empower you and your team with the knowledge and skills they'll need to pass the certification exam, ensuring your business gets the best return on its technology investments. We talk to Arun from the Meraki Product Enablement team, and discover his passion for training. To learn more about the course mentioned in the episode, visit: https://community.meraki.com/t5/Meraki-Certification/ct-p/cmss

Episode 68: Solving the Challenges of Scale Jan 26, 2022

Cloud management is all about solving problems at scale. In this episode we’re in conversation with a major Meraki customer that has taken full advantage of the Meraki Platform to manage vast numbers of devices across multiple customers and locations. We also discuss how the technology has supported an evolution of business processes in our changed world.

Episode 67: Career Lessons Jan 12, 2022

Happy New Year! We're kicking off this January with our VP of Sales in the Americas, Jen Kirkpatrick. She has 20+ years of leadership experience within the tech industry and doesn't hold back when it comes to sharing valuable insights when it comes to what she's learned throughout her career. Jen identifies as a “go to” problem solver, and during this candid conversation she provides helpful tips on how to work successfully cross-functionally and throughout different business units. You don't want to miss this real conversation with an incredibly impactful leader!

Episode 66: The Community Speaks! Dec 15, 2021

In this final episode of 2021, we’re joined by members of the Meraki Community for a look back at the year that was, and the year ahead. The projects, the wins, the challenges: 2021 has had it all. Thank you for listening to our podcast in ‘21, and we’ll be back for more in the new year!

Episode 65: Hiring Top Talent Dec 01, 2021

Join us for a conversation with Julia Roquemore, a Senior Global Talent Acquisition Leader at Meraki. We dive deep into understanding the priorities of the recuriting team, getting a glimpse of the candidate journey, and learn tips on how stand out in this competitive talent market. Julia touches on what it takes to build a diverse candidate pool, and even breaks down myths about salary negotiation during the interview process!

Episode 64: Enabling New Workforce Experiences Nov 17, 2021

An evolving hybrid workforce demands embracing change. Providing an in-office experience, regardless of location, is more important and accessible than ever, and in this episode we discuss how to think about technically enabling your workforce with our own Jordan Noonan and Meraki Ecosystem partner, Kisi. Learn more at https://www.getkisi.com/integrations/cisco-meraki

Episode 63: Enhanced Network Troubleshooting Nov 03, 2021

Troubleshooting networks efficiently means saving time and money. The tools that assist us are getting more and more sophisticated, and in this episode we talk about the latest enhancement to Meraki network troubleshooting, Root Cause Analysis, with our newest Product Manager, Nikitha Shashidhar.

Episode 62: Meraki Experiences Overview Oct 20, 2021

In the first of a short series focusing on Meraki Experiences we take a look at how one of our Technology Partners has applied Meraki cameras to help solve real world challenges relating to people in physical spaces. We are joined by Zack Klima, founder and CEO at WaitTime, and Pravin Mahajan, Head of Solutions Marketing at Meraki who help us explore the power of experiences in IT.

Learn more about WaitTime's solutions at http://thewaittimes.com

Episode 61: Brand, Authenticity, and Growing Your Career Oct 06, 2021

Today we're in conversation with a tenured leader at Cisco Meraki, Christy Cook Olcese. Join us for an authentic discussion - we talk about how to cultivate your personal brand, build a board of directors, and learn valuable insights about how to pivot in your career. Christy started as a product sales specialist in Texas for Public Sector, working her way up to her latest role as Director of Americas Partner Organization. She is a sharp and geniune leader who doesn't hold back on what it takes to build a successful career.

Episode 60: Tech Partner Spotlight: Bizmate Sep 22, 2021

When you start a business, you never quite know where the journey will take you. In this episode we talk to Antonio Sapienza of Bizmate, one of the earliest adopters of Meraki APIs, about the evolution of the business from Meraki reseller to Tech Partner. Bizmate's product, V-App, encompasses a wide range of solutions for various industries, and we talk through some of the use cases it supports.

Episode 59: Perspectives on Sustainability Sep 08, 2021

The topic of sustainability has grown to dominate conversation across a wide swathe of industry, and society. With customers increasingly paying attention to how seriously their suppliers are addressing sustainability, it's vital for every business to have a position and to be driving improvements. We can all do better. This episode focuses on the importance of having a sustainability focus, and how Cisco, including Meraki, is moving in a positive direction.

Episode 58: Life as a Sales Leader at Cisco Aug 25, 2021

Join us for a conversation with one of Cisco’s Public Sector sales leaders - Gary DePreta. He’s an engineer by trade, consultant by instinct, and cultural leader by DNA. Learn why Gary truly feels he gets to wake up every day and help governments, schools, universities/colleges, and hospitals. He dives into what gives him that spark to chase his purpose, and we learn more about the incredible culture at Cisco.

Episode 57: Customer Spotlight: SCI Aug 11, 2021

Our customers and partners always have a story to tell, and in this episode we're hearing about what it's like to manage an IT environment comprising thousands of sites. Scale has its challenges, but SCI has successfully leveraged technology from Cisco, including Meraki, to grow its business, as we'll hear from their Director of IT Security, Zac Fletcher.

Episode 56: Meraki in the Physical World Jul 28, 2021

A lot has happened since Meraki technology evolved beyond networking. In today's episode we're looking at ways in which our smart cameras and environmental sensors are addressing modern challenges, and changing experiences for businesses, their customers and their employees.

Episode 55: Engineering Talent at Meraki Jul 14, 2021

Join us for a conversation with Meraki's CTO - Bret Hull. He's been with the organization since 2010, and discusses the journey along with the changes and evolution of our engineering team through the years. Not only has he built a very successful engineering team in the US, but he has expanded the team globally. Bret’s story is an example of how we invest in our employees.

Episode 54: Tech Partner Spotlight: PlaceOS Jun 30, 2021

As offices around the world come back to life, how can we ensure they work more safely and efficiently than before? Technology is ready to help, and PlaceOS is one of the companies working at the intersection of experiences, safety and sustainability in workspaces. In this discussion with the PlaceOS CIO, we look at the Meraki and other technology that's helping ensure we return to better offices.

Episode 53: Meraki showing PRIDE Jun 16, 2021

June is Gay PRIDE month and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than to have some amazing Meraki employees on our episode today. Join us for a discussion with Daniel Jones, Kate Nicholson and Emily Sporl, who are a part of Meraki’s Employee Resource Group - QFAM (Queers And Friends At Meraki). We’ll be discussing an array of topics including a deeper dive into our QFAM ERO and the progress of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (known as LGBTQ) efforts. Also taking time to acknowledge the darker moments and the struggle against discrimination. This conversation is impactful, powerful, and important.

Episode 52: Leading Through Changing Times Jun 02, 2021

Meraki VP of Marketing Rebecca Stone and VP of Sales Jason Pernell join Unboxed to discuss the dramatic pace of global transformation in digital technology, why business leaders need to embrace the changes that are coming, and how the upcoming Meraki Network event will set them up to thrive in the future hi-tech economy. Register for the Meraki Network, happening on June 16th: https://events.meraki.net/merakinetworkevent

Episode 51: Dive into Diversity and Inclusion May 19, 2021

Jessica Gilbert (Meraki's head of Diversity and Collaboration) will take us through a conversation about Meraki's D&I efforts and how they play into Cisco's larger story. You'll learn more about our strategic partnerships, how to think more intentionally about inclusive behaviors, and you'll walk away with actionable steps to create a more inclusive team.

Episode 50: Lessons from the Campus May 05, 2021

Join us for an insightful conversation with Jenna Linskens, Director of Learning & Innovative Technology of Ithaca College, on lessons learned in the last 14 months in higher education.

We hope you've enjoyed the first 50 episodes of Meraki Unboxed. Please keep your episode ideas and feedback coming by messaging our host on Twitter: @merakisimon or on the Meraki Community: community.meraki.com

Episode 49: Technology trends in Financial Services Apr 21, 2021

Seemingly every industry is going through a technology based transformation, and Financial Services are no exception. In this episode we discuss what specific trends are shaping the new financial services world, and how Meraki and Cisco technology are playing their part.

Episode 48: Unlocking purpose and your full potential Apr 07, 2021

Join us for an insightful conversation with Cisco Canada President Shannon Leininger. March is 'Women's History Month' - and Shannon delivers a powerful message about what it means to truly find purpose in the work you do. She's an absolute master at finding what fuels her, and allowing that to pour over into the work she does everyday. She opens up about the power of vulnerability, discusses the importance of transparency, and gives us all an opportunity to create a more inclusive environment through the power of curiosity!

Episode 47: IT Trends in 2021 Mar 24, 2021

Join us for a fascinating discussion with IDC Research Director Dr William Lee, who takes us on a journey through our evolving technology landscape, and how we, as humans, are adapting to the changed world around us. This exploration into IT trends touches on many areas we know well, and provokes us to think about how we can use technology to help us confidently move ahead.

Episode 46: Let's Get SASE! Mar 10, 2021

We've come a long way from the days of working in the office with the servers in a room next door. Today we're working from anywhere and everywhere, and our servers have been fragmented into myriad cloud based applications, also located anywhere and everywhere. This presents a challenge for IT teams who are trying to provide secure, authorized access to network resources. SASE, pronounced 'sassy', takes on this challenge, and in this episode we introduce the concept, explaining why it's so relevant in our new normal.

Episode 45: A conversation with the Meraki Chief Operating Officer Feb 24, 2021

Today we're in conversation with Denise Thomas, the Chief Operating Officer at Meraki, with a deep dive into her career, how she landed at Meraki, and discussing why diversity and inclusion are deeply important to Meraki Values, and our framework as an organization. February is Black History Month - we talk about our amazing employee resource group called 'Connected Black Professionals' and why groups like these are so important to our company DNA.

Episode 44: Building a Managed Service with Meraki Feb 10, 2021

Feeling entrepreneurial? Interested in running a Managed Service business? In this episode we talk to someone who walked that path and built something special, leveraging the Meraki Platform. Our guest is a fan of the podcast who reached out with this episode idea. Perhaps you'll be next? Learn more at https://www.boundlessdigital.com/

Episode 43: Technology Trends in Manufacturing Jan 27, 2021

New for 2021, we're starting a series of occasional episodes focused on a specific industry, looking at some of the trends, challenges and technology use cases we see in those industries. To kick off, we're starting with the world of manufacturing, an industry experiencing perhaps its biggest change since the industrial revolution.

Episode 42: Setting the right intentions for the New Year Jan 13, 2021

Happy New Year! We're kicking off with something special. Holly Dowling is an Inspirational Thought Leader. She has infused her over 20 years of extensive management and leadership experience with her passion for inspiring others to discover their untapped potential and brilliance. Today we sit down with Holly and explore her secrets to untapping your potential, we explore staying connected in this virtual world, and how to create an inclusive work environment.

Episode 41: Looking back. Looking forward. Dec 23, 2020

Here we are at the end of 2020. This is a year we'll probably never forget, as much as might like to. In this final episode of 2020 we invite three guests from the Meraki Community to share their reflections on this crazy year, and look ahead to a new year and new projects. Thank you for listening to Meraki Unboxed in 2020. Stay safe and we'll see you back here soon! community.meraki.com

Episode 40: Future Proofing Networks Dec 09, 2020

2020 has challenged us all in many ways, and although many aspects of our lives have been disrupted this year, our networks have kept on going and have never been a more valuable resource. Some things never change, and networks need maintaining and refreshing, even when there are practical challenges in the way. In this episode we discuss some of the dynamics around maintaining healthy networks with a special guest with many years of frontline experience, and also the product marketing lead for Meraki switches.

Episode 39: A Platform for Computer Vision Nov 25, 2020

Computer vision has enormous potential to help us see what's important in the world around us, without the need to be physically present. The Meraki MV Smart Camera opens the door to computer vision, especially thanks to its APIs, which allow developers to build custom applications that can exploit the camera's full abilities. One company that's done this particularly well is Everyangle, and in this episode we get into a fascinating discussion about the potential for the technology, as well as some of Everyangle's customer solutions.

Episode 38: Giving back at Meraki Nov 11, 2020

As we enter the holiday season we're reminded of the importance of giving, and giving back. Like any other company, we're part of a wider community, and Merakians are always pursuing ways to contribute to the local community, important societal causes, and raising awareness. In this episode we discuss Meraki Gives, our Employee Resource Organizations, and the timely topic of Movember! Join our team: https://us.movember.com/team/2252219

Episode 37: Leaning in to the physical world Oct 28, 2020

Technology can only truly advance by embracing simplicity. IoT has been with us for years, yet the reality of applying IoT to business challenges too often means point solutions and complexity. That's just not the Meraki way, and so in this episode you'll hear all about how we're taking a different approach with our latest product line, sensors. Learn more at https://meraki.cisco.com/products/sensors/

Episode 36: Building on the Meraki Platform Oct 14, 2020

Cisco Meraki was born in the cloud, in 2006. Since then the platform on which all Meraki products and features rests has grown beyond all recognition, and today is more capable and efficient than ever. A recent shift to an API-first strategy has set Meraki up for its next phase of growth, and also provides a wealth of opportunity to developers looking to take advantage of network programmability to build custom solutions to the world's challenges. Today's discussion covers all of this and provides pointers to how you can get started on your own Meraki Platform journey.

Episode 35: Beacons and APIs and Developers, Oh My! Sep 30, 2020

This week we return to the topic of Meraki APIs, in a discussion with kontakt.io, a technology partner that has found a creative way to unite their beacons with Meraki hardware and APIs to solve some common and emerging business challenges. We also discuss the hub through which developers can share their solutions, apps.meraki.io

Episode 34: Hardware design and philosophy at Meraki Sep 16, 2020

We spend a lot of time talking about how Meraki products and features can solve real world challenges here on Meraki Unboxed, but we've never focused purely on the hardware. Today we're putting that right with an interview with our Head of Hardware, one of the earliest employees at Meraki, who provides some fascinating insight into what goes into developing and packaging the hardware we sell, along with some great stories from the early days of the company.

Episode 33: Device Management for Remote Working and Learning Sep 02, 2020

As organizations contemplate a future with more remote working and learning, it's more important than ever to identify efficient ways to support dispersed employees and students at scale. For many years, Meraki Systems Manager has been supporting the management of up to tens of thousands of devices, regardless of their location, so it's more than up to the task at hand. In this episode we welcome back Amelie from our Product Marketing team to discuss some of the attributes and features of Systems Manager that can ease the burden of IT teams tasked with supporting large scale, and enduring, remote working and learning.

Episode 32: An academic year like no other Aug 19, 2020

One of the sectors to have suffered greatly in 2020 is unquestionably education. For students, faculty and staff alike, it's been an extremely trying time that has highlighted challenges with the use of technology for online learning, particularly in terms of access and, for those contemplating some form of in-person learning, safety. We are joined by two IT leaders from two large scale State Universities, for a discussion about their experiences and how they're looking ahead to the new academic year.

Episode 31: IT for a newly remote workforce Aug 05, 2020

Back in March, the whole team at Cisco, like so many companies around the world, migrated to working from home in response to the pandemic. It's been a turbulent time for everyone, in so many ways. What's vital for businesses everywhere is ongoing productivity, and IT is at the heart of it all in this new reality. For this episode we welcome back Ryan Ansley, our Head of IT at Meraki who joined us to share his career story in Episode 19. This time we're talking about how his team has adapted to the sudden shock back in March, both on a technical and human level.

Episode 30: Remote working for the long haul Jul 22, 2020

It's one thing to be able to work from home in the midst of a pandemic, but quite another to recreate an IT experience like being in the office. With authentication, performance and security to consider, IT teams are looking for solutions, not more headaches. In today's episode we focus on practical ways in which our teleworker appliance can transform the experience of working from home, or from anywhere!

Episode 29: Deep dive on the Meraki Cellular Gateway Jul 08, 2020

There's always been a case for flexible networking solutions, accommodating remote or temporary sites, and to provide backup. That case has been further strengthened by the pandemic, which has thrown up considerable productivity challenges for us all. The Meraki Cellular Gateway makes it easier to take advantage of cellular networks where regular ISP connectivity may be limited, or even to augment those with redundancy. Join us for a deep dive into the use cases and technology behind our cellular gateway.

Episode 28: Looking ahead to Wi-Fi 6E Jun 24, 2020

The FCC in the US recently announced a signifcant expansion of radio spectrum reserved for use by Wi-Fi technology. In a world filled with mobile devices and appliances, this specturm will help to ensure we can continue to enjoy good performance, with less congestion, for years to come. In today's episode we discuss the merits of Wi-Fi 6E and look forward to its adoption in the years ahead.

Episode 27: Meraki Support and Remote Working Jun 10, 2020

The global pandemic has forced unforeseen challenges on us all. The teams at Cisco Meraki are no exception, where from early March we've all been working remotely. In this episode we're in discussion with our Support Lead for EMEA, talking about the experiences of his team in this trying time, and how they pulled together to maintain a consistent support experience for customers.

Episode 26: Troubleshooting Made Simple May 27, 2020

Just a mention of the word 'troubleshooting' to a network administrator might be enough to send shivers down their spine. Everyone has a story. The truth is, troubleshooting can be a painful exercise. At Cisco Meraki we strive to make every aspect of network administration easier, and troubleshooting is at the heart of that. In today's episode we discuss new, intelligent enhancements to our suite of troubleshooting tools.

Episode 25: Smarter security policies for a dynamic network May 13, 2020

Thoroughly securing a network involves many elements, and providing a consistent experience for users as they move between buildings and sites can create a mountain of complexity. In this episode we look at a creative solution to this challenge that we call Adaptive Policy. This feature significantly reduces the administrative overhead associated with securing a dynamic network environment.

Episode 24: Product Managing Meraki APIs Apr 29, 2020

Version control is a fundamental component of Product Management, providing focus for development teams, and helping our customers clearly understand what versions deliver what capabilities. At Meraki we're moving to versioning for our dashboard API, and in this episode we talk to a couple of the prime movers making that happen.

Episode 23: A network fit for 85,000 students! Apr 15, 2020

Building really large networks is far from trivial work. There are the physical considerations, especially when working across multiple locations, and then there are the protocols that enable the reliable flow of data, and finally maintaining the equipment itself. John Fuller looks after a substantial Meraki estate at a huge school district and in this episode offers some reflections on his work.

Episode 22: What's Happening in Wi-Fi Apr 01, 2020

Challenging times, and even though the whole of Cisco is working from home – as many are around the world – the show goes on, and at Meraki we're continuing to develop our products and features to help solve real-world challenges. In this episode we're in conversation with Scott Wierstra, one of our wireless product managers, learning what's happening in Wi-Fi.

Episode 21: Captive Portals for Captive Audiences Mar 18, 2020

There's enormous potential for solving real world challenges using Meraki APIs. Today we're in discussion with Splash Access, who have taken full advantage of this potential to solve a common challenge in the higher education sector.

Episode 20: Meraki Security and the RSA Conference Mar 04, 2020

The Meraki Security team recently joined our security-focused friends across Cisco at RSA in San Francisco. In today's episode we're talking to Rahul from the Meraki Product Management team who walks us through some of our recent security-related announcements and how we contributed to the world's number one security event.

Episode 19: Ryan's Meraki Journey Feb 19, 2020

Ryan Ansley leads the Digital Workplace team at Cisco Meraki, and he's got a great story to tell about his journey through various IT roles in which he's provisioned, deployed, recommended and been a customer, before joining Meraki. At every stage he's experienced the benefits of a Meraki solution from a different perspective, so he was an obvious choice for a discussion on Meraki Unboxed. If you've made your career in IT, or are thinking about a career in IT, this one's for you.

Episode 18: Meraki APIs + Technology Partners = new integrated solutions: Meraki Unboxed Feb 05, 2020

Meraki APIs provide integration with other IT tools AND the opportunity for technology partners to develop their own innovative solutions to address emerging technology challenges. Today we're in conversation with Armis, a Meraki technology partner that focuses on better security for IoT devices. Learn more about the Meraki Marketplace at https://apps.meraki.io

Episode 17: Exploring the latest Network Switching Innovations: Meraki Unboxed Jan 22, 2020

It's easy to underestimate the vital role that switches perform in every network. And like every other area of the Meraki portfolio, our switches have been adding new capabilities that both simplify deployment and empower the network administrator with more granular tools than were hitherto available. Today's discussion with two esteemed Product Managers from the Meraki Switching team lifts the lid on some of these new capabilities and how they can make a difference in the real world.

Episode 16: Talking to the Meraki Community All-Stars: Meraki Unboxed Dec 18, 2019

The Meraki Community gives our customers, partners and employees a place to mingle online, to share ideas, help one another, and provide feedback. As with every community, there are a few standout characters who really help to stoke discussion and contribute disproportionately to the conversation. In today's episode we bring 3 of our Community All-Stars together for some fascinating insights into their worlds and the value they derive from the Community. Check it out at https://community.meraki.com

Episode 15: Introducing the Cisco Meraki Cellular Gateway: Meraki Unboxed Dec 05, 2019

This week we are in discussion with Imran Idrees from Meraki Product Marketing, talking about our latest product line, the Cisco Meraki Cellular Gateway, that seamlessly transposes a wireless cellular signal to wired Ethernet for primary or failover connectivity. With the Cellular Gateway there's no longer any concern about cellular signal reach into a building, and Imran helps us understand the use cases where it will make a real difference.

Episode 14: Evolving security and device management: Meraki Unboxed Nov 20, 2019

Organizations have been using device management in many different ways for many years. Sometimes it's purely for inventory, sometimes for more advanced device management. Meraki Systems Manager's integration with the rest of the Meraki portfolio presents new opportunities for integrating security measures that help to protect users' devices and the networks they connect to. In today's episode we dig into recent developments of this cloud-hosted software and how they can be implemented.

BONUS Episode 13: Security Made Simple: Meraki Unboxed Nov 06, 2019

The world of IT security never stands still, and Cisco is at the forefront of helping to protect its customers in support of a productive and healthy online experience. At Cisco Meraki we've been incubating a range of new products and software features that help lower the bar for providing a secure network and in today's episode we talk to Jeevan, our head of Product Marketing, to learn more about what we've announced.

Meraki Unboxed: Simplifying IT at Reading School District: Episode 12 Oct 30, 2019

For the first time we welcome a customer onto the show to talk about how Meraki solutions have transformed the IT experience at Reading School District. If you're an IT administrator, or responsible for IT at your school or business, you won't want to miss this great conversation.

Meraki Unboxed: Putting APIs to Work: Episode 11 Oct 16, 2019

Meraki APIs are a hot topic for network engineers, partners, and our Cisco and Meraki teams. On this podcast we’ve brought in some additional perspective from a real-live developer and Meraki Managed Services Provider, as well as a Developer Evangelist from the Cisco DevNet team. Listen in to hear their thoughts on why more and more network engineers are turning to API services and what is the easiest way to get started.

Meraki Unboxed: Providing vital connectivity during emergencies: Episode 10 Oct 02, 2019

Cisco Tactical Operations (TacOps) is part of Cisco's Corporate Social Responsibility mission. TacOps helps provide vital connectivity in emergency situations like hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as helping the vulnerable who find themselves far from home and loved ones. In today's episode we talk with the TacOps team about their work and how you could be a part of it. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/supply-chain-sustainability/tactical-operations-tacops.html

Meraki Unboxed: Training & Evangelism at Meraki: Episode 9 Sep 18, 2019

Meraki cloud-managed technology is proudly simple to use, and also loaded with powerful tools. Like any tech product, training really helps to unlock the potential of the solution, so we provide several pathways to help those wanting to get deeper with our tech. Today we're talking to Matt and Trisha from our Training & Evangelism team, exploring what they have to offer.

What is IPv6 and why does it matter? : Episode 8 Sep 04, 2019

The relentless growth of devices connecting to the internet has pushed the traditional IP addressing method to breaking point. In other words, the internet has run out of IPv4 addresses! This episode shines a light on the issues and opportunities presented by IPv6.

Meraki Unboxed: Running a Digital Workplace: Episode 7 Aug 21, 2019

Digital Transformation takes many forms, and one of those is changing the employee experience by uniting facilities and IT functions. In this way it's possible to significantly boost the experience through the thoughtful application of technology. Our latest episode is a discussion on our own Digital Workplace journey and its realities at Meraki.

Meraki Unboxed: Evolving IT experiences with APIs: Episode 6 Aug 07, 2019

The worlds of IT management and software are merging together as powerful APIs become available. Cisco Meraki is at the leading edge of opening its platform for powerful integrations with existing management or customer engagement tools. Today we talk to Tony Carmichael to learn more about the opportunities this evolving approach opens up.

Meraki Unboxed: Exploring Product Management at Meraki: Episode 5 Jul 17, 2019

Taking products and features all the way from conception to customer involves many steps and takes a lot of focused effort. In this episode we talk to our Senior Director of Product Management and dig-in to some of the detail behind the scenes.

Meraki Unboxed: Exploring Meraki Insight: Episode 4 Jul 03, 2019

This week we're talking to the Product Manager and Lead Engineer for our Meraki Insight network and application performance monitoring tool. With apps moving to the cloud, Meraki Insight helps network engineers by identifying the true culprit behind a poor end user experience, whether the issue resides in the LAN, the WAN or the application hosting server.

Meraki Unboxed: Talking Diversity & Inclusion: Episode 3 Jun 19, 2019

In today's episode we're covering the important topic of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, particularly in tech. Meraki Chief of Staff Denise Thomas leads a discussion with Tiffany Stevenson, VP and Global Head of Talent and Belonging at Box.

Meraki Unboxed: Smart Cameras: Episode 2 Jun 05, 2019

In today's episode we talk to George Bentinck – Product Manager for Meraki MV Smart Cameras – about what led Meraki to move into the area of physical security and sensors. George takes us through the history of the product, its totally fresh architectural approach, and how it is now capable of acting as a sensor for business, leveraging a powerful API.

Meraki Unboxed: Work Simple: Episode 1 May 22, 2019

On today's episode we interview our General Manager, Todd Nightingale (@tnight), and dig into the core philosophy that drives us at Cisco Meraki. In a world of technology complexity, Meraki chooses unwavering dedication to simplicity as a perennial goal. Our tagline – Work Simple – is our way of promoting this approach, helping our customers and partners deal with an increasingly fast-paced world. Todd brings his usual passion to this topic, as well as some insight into his favourite San Francisco coffee!

Meraki Unboxed: Talking Wi-Fi 6: Pilot Episode May 01, 2019

For our pilot episode, we talk to Jeevan Patil, Head of Product Marketing at Cisco Meraki about Wi-Fi 6 and exciting new developments in the world of wireless.

Meraki Unboxed is a twice-monthly podcast covering the products, technology and culture of Cisco Meraki, the home of cloud-managed IT that's simple to live with. Hosted by @merakisimon

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