As more people interact with more devices, and from more locations than ever before, a robust, secure, and efficiently managed network is paramount. To shed light on current challenges and the solutions offered by Cisco and XMA, we sat down with our Solutions Architect and Cisco Insider Champion, Dale Warner.
XMA is proud to be a Cisco Premier Integrator and Select Provider, signifying our deep expertise and commitment to delivering cutting-edge Cisco solutions tailored to our customers’ unique needs. Dale’s insights, combined with XMA’s proven approach, offer valuable guidance for organisations looking to optimise their network infrastructure.
Here’s our conversation with Dale:
What are the most common network issues you see in the public sector today?
Dale Warner: “For me the three biggest issues I see are limited budgets, aging infrastructure and evolving cybersecurity threats. There are still lots of organisations relying on outdated network solutions, which has an impact on network performance, troubleshooting times, and the amount of potential security vulnerabilities.
Bridging the gap between legacy systems and modern network solutions can be an issue itself, especially if the business requirements have significantly evolved over time, this is where me and the other solution architects at XMA come in.
We are here to help customers review their current environment against their business needs, understand the market and identify what technologies are available, and turn customer end-goals into comprehensive designs.”
Why is ongoing visibility into network health so important now?
DW: “Proactive monitoring of network health is critical for any size organisation as it provides the real-time insights needed to prevent or decrease the amount of downtime and quickly address emerging issues before they escalate.
Modern network devices (switches, routers, APs, etc) are multifaceted and can act as network sensors, essentially becoming the eyes and ears of an infrastructure. Modern network management systems and health tools can then use a range of machine learning and AI analytics to help identify bottlenecks, anomalous activity, or early signs of cyberattacks.
It also helps form the foundation for predictive analytics and automated remediation.”
How does Cisco Meraki simplify network management for stretched IT teams?
DW: “Cisco Meraki utilises a cloud-managed portal that brings together all aspects of network management, from configuration and monitoring to troubleshooting, under a single unified administrator dashboard. This ‘single-pane-of-glass’ stops IT teams from managing their environment through disparate systems and/or monitoring tools. Additionally, built in automation features help to simplify routine tasks, keeping firmware and security policies up-to-date, and providing real-time insights into network performance and threats.
For years Meraki has been driven ‘under the hood’ by AI powered assurance which has benefited smaller IT teams and delivered transformative results. Going forward, we are seeing more of the Cisco portfolio coming to Meraki with cloud management and monitoring available for 9300 and 9200L switches, along with unified licensing with the new Wi-Fi 7 APs.
We are also going to see Cisco’s AI Assistant available on Meraki soon, which will be massive for all customers but will be a game changer for smaller or stretched IT teams. This chat-based generative AI tool will automate routine tasks, detect network anomalies, and optimise performance with minimal human intervention. By leveraging generative AI technologies, it provides secure, AI-driven insights across devices, applications, and networks.”
What’s different about XMA’s approach?
DW: “When it comes to Cisco networking and XMA, we distinguish ourselves through a true focus upon the customer; their organisational needs, their IT roadmap and journey, what their business does and how they best service their customers. Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, XMA tailors its network solutions and designs to the specific and bespoke needs of its customers.”
Cisco offer customers Enterprise Agreements, what does True Forward mean as part of them?
DW: “True Forward is Cisco’s innovative billing and licensing methodology for licensing and support that allows customers to scale their network usage without incurring retroactive charges.
Under a Cisco Enterprise Agreement, instead of having to perform a “true-up” at the point of purchase, True Forward moves any excess usage forward to the next billing cycle. Additionally, the costs are fixed at the start of the EA until renewal.
This means customers can grow their network capacity as needed, with predictable, forward-looking costs and no surprise penalties for scaling up. Essentially, it transforms the licensing process into one that is growth-friendly, aligning financial planning with business needs.”
Congratulations on recently becoming a Cisco Insider Champion! How do you feel about it, and how does this help our customers going forward?
DW: “Becoming a Cisco Insider Champion is both an honour and a responsibility, and I’m really proud to have been recognised by Cisco as a technical contributor through my blogs. I feel incredibly excited and motivated, as this recognition places me in a unique position to engage directly with Cisco’s product and experience teams. It means having early access to cutting-edge innovations and channels for feedback that can shape future technology.
For our customers, this translates into benefits such as quicker access to new solutions, clearer insights into upcoming trends, and the assurance that their challenges and feedback are being heard at the highest levels.
It ultimately creates a vibrant, customer-centric ecosystem where innovation and real-world needs go hand in hand, and I get to become a voice in that community.”
XMA’s Cisco Managed Services
Addressing the challenges of limited budgets, aging infrastructure, and stretched IT teams requires more than just technology; it requires expert management. XMA use our status as a Cisco Select Provider to offer comprehensive Cisco Managed Services.
We help organisations proactively monitor, manage, and optimise their Cisco environments, freeing up internal IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives while ensuring network performance, security, and reliability.
Our managed services provide the ongoing visibility and expert support needed to navigate the complexities Dale highlighted.
Take the Next Step with XMA and Cisco
Dale’s insights underscore the challenges and opportunities in modern networking. As a Cisco Premier Integrator and Select Provider, XMA is perfectly positioned to help your organisation navigate this landscape with tailored solutions and expert managed services.
Discover more about our partnership and capabilities on our brand new Cisco partner page.
Ready to discuss how Cisco solutions can address your specific challenges? Get in touch with our expert team today.
For more technical insights and perspectives from Dale, read his latest blog posts.
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