Enterprise Connectivity: Meraki MX and Optimization with SD-WAN

November 21, 2024 

Enterprise connectivity is fundamental for modern companies, especially those operating multiple branches. Additionally, with the increasing demand for critical applications like video conferencing and VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), ensuring optimal network performance has become crucial. 

Without proper traffic prioritization, the performance of these applications can be compromised, causing: 

• Latency: Delays in data transmission, affecting the quality of calls and video conferences. 
• Packet Loss: Data not reaching its destination, resulting in cuts and poor quality in voice communications. 
• Disconnections: In more severe cases, poor traffic management can lead to the failure of essential applications, directly affecting daily operations. 

This is where Meraki MX, integrated with SD-WAN, comes into play. You should know about it: it allows for network optimization and traffic prioritization to improve user experience and maximize the use of available bandwidth. Want to know more? Keep reading! 

What is SD-WAN and How Does It Improve Connectivity Between Branches? 

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) is an advanced technology that transforms how companies manage and optimize their network connections, particularly in multi-location environments. 

Through a software layer, SD-WAN automatically selects the best route for data traffic, ensuring that connectivity between different branches is fast, efficient, and secure. 

This technology not only simplifies network management but also reduces operational costs by leveraging lower-cost connections like broadband Internet, LTE, or 5G instead of traditional dedicated links like MPLS, without sacrificing performance or security. 

A study by IDC revealed that companies adopting SD-WAN can reduce connectivity costs by up to 50% compared to traditional networks and achieve an ROI (return on investment) in an average of 6 to 12 months. 

This savings, combined with the flexibility of SD-WAN, makes it an attractive option for companies looking to optimize their IT infrastructure and improve their enterprise connectivity. 

Key Benefits of SD-WAN with Meraki MX 

Implementing Meraki MX with SD-WAN has proven to be a powerful solution for enterprise connectivity, particularly for companies with multiple locations or branches. Here are the key benefits it offers: 

1. Fast and Simplified Branch Connectivity with Centralized Cloud Management
Thanks to Meraki MX’s cloud-based management, companies can quickly connect new branches without the need for complex local configurations. 

This allows organizations to deploy networks remotely and automatically, reducing setup time from weeks to days or even hours. 

Centralized management facilitates real-time visibility of the entire network, allowing performance monitoring and configuration adjustments from a single platform, regardless of the number of branches. 

2. Traffic Prioritization for Critical Applications Like VoIP and Video Conferencing
Network traffic can be classified and prioritized based on the criticality of applications, ensuring that tools like VoIP and video conferencing always have priority over general Internet use. 

This results in a drastic reduction in latency, packet loss, and jitter in essential communications, improving the quality of video calls and employee experience. This capability is particularly useful for companies with a high volume of remote work and video conferencing. 

3. Bandwidth Optimization, Allocating Resources Where They Are Most Needed
Bandwidth optimization is another fundamental aspect. Meraki MX and its SD-WAN technology allow the simultaneous use of multiple WAN links, dynamically allocating bandwidth and ensuring that each application receives the resources it needs. 

This is especially crucial for companies using cloud applications like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, or video conferencing platforms, as it guarantees consistent performance without critical applications suffering from a lack of resources. 

4. Improved Network Performance Thanks to Intelligent Load Balancing
Intelligent load balancing allows Meraki MX to distribute traffic across different network connections, such as broadband and LTE links. 

This ensures that if one connection fails or becomes saturated, traffic can automatically be redirected to an alternative route, maintaining uninterrupted performance. 

Automatic failover guarantees operational continuity, which is essential for companies that cannot afford downtime, such as in the financial or retail sectors. 

Success Story: Retail Chain with Multiple Branches 

Imagine this: a clothing store chain with over 50 branches across the country. Business is going well, but their network… not so much. On weekends, when customer traffic and sales spike, the point-of-sale (POS) system starts to fail. 

Slow or dropped connections interrupt transactions, and employees have to deal with frustrated customers while trying to process payments or check inventory. 

The Problem: Unstable Network Performance 

Before implementing Meraki MX with SD-WAN, this retail chain’s network was chaotic during peak demand times. With increased pressure on their network during peak hours: 

• POS systems often crashed or slowed down, delaying sales. 
• The real-time inventory system did not update products correctly, causing confusion between stores and warehouses. 
• Employees wasted time trying to solve connectivity issues while customers grew impatient. 

Comparison: Network Without and With Traffic Prioritization 

Feature	Without Traffic Prioritization	With Traffic Prioritization
Video Conferencing	High latency, frequent cuts	Total fluidity, no interruptions
VoIP Quality	Quality loss and echo	Clear voice, no delays or cuts
Bandwidth Usage	Saturation with non-priority tasks	Efficient distribution based on importance
Team Productivity	Interruptions reducing efficiency	Continuous operation without distractions
Customer Experience	Poor impressions due to communication issues	Satisfaction from smooth interaction

The Solution: Meraki MX with SD-WAN 

The company decided to take a technological leap and adopted Meraki MX with SD-WAN. Thanks to this implementation, their network infrastructure completely changed: 

1. Intelligent Traffic Prioritization: Meraki MX ensured that critical applications, such as the POS system and real-time inventory, had network priority, ensuring they always had reserved bandwidth, even during peak demand times. 
2. Load Balancing: With automatic balancing between multiple connections, if one network route failed or became saturated, traffic was automatically redirected to another route, maintaining smooth operation without customers or employees noticing. 
3. Centralized Visibility and Management: IT administrators could monitor and manage all branches from a cloud control panel, allowing them to identify problems before they affected store operations. 

The Impact: From Chaos to Efficiency 

Now, imagine the scene a month after implementation: 

Saturday afternoon, the store is full of customers. However, unlike before, transactions flow smoothly. The POS system is faster than ever, and employees can check inventory in real-time with a single click. No more long wait times or apologies to impatient customers. 

Key Results: 

• 40% reduction in critical system interruptions during peak hours. 
• 30% increase in transaction speed, improving customer experience. 
• 20% savings in operating costs by reducing reliance on expensive MPLS links. 

Conclusion 

This hypothetical example reflects how Meraki MX with SD-WAN not only optimizes enterprise connectivity and improves user experience but also reduces costs and increases operational efficiency. 

In competitive sectors like retail, where every minute of downtime can translate into lost sales, implementing a robust and flexible network can be the difference between success and failure. 

Recommendations to Improve Your Enterprise Connectivity 

If your company seeks to improve its enterprise connectivity, here are some key recommendations: 

• Evaluate Your Critical Applications: Determine which are essential for your operation and prioritize their traffic. 
• Monitor Your Bandwidth: Identify if you are efficiently using network resources. 
• Consider Implementing SD-WAN: A solution like Meraki MX can optimize your network and reduce operating costs. 
• Ensure Network Scalability: As your company grows, your network should also be able to expand easily. 

Currently, ensuring high-quality enterprise connectivity between branches is more important than ever. With Meraki MX and SD-WAN technology, companies can prioritize critical applications, optimize bandwidth usage, and improve network performance to ensure smooth operation. 

From video conferencing to productivity applications, Meraki MX provides the necessary tools for efficient and secure network management. 

At Ikusi, we offer comprehensive solutions to improve enterprise connectivity. Through our Ikusi Fly service, we help you implement the best technologies, such as Meraki MX, to optimize your network performance and ensure your company operates without interruptions. Contact us for more information!