Today Meraki, a cloud-based wireless networking company known for its inexpensive and easy to manage WiFi gear, announced their Meraki MX series cloud-managed routers, integrating web-based centralized management to non-WiFi routers. Meraki also introduced Networking as a Service pricing, a new subscription service that eliminates upfront hardware costs.
The MX series routers includes two models: the MX50 (pdf), for small branches, and the more powerful MX70 (pdf) for medium and large branches. The MX series was designed from the ground up for distributed, Internet-connected organizations, managing two to 5,000 sites.
Both models feature cloud-based centralized management, for seamless multi-site networks, automatic security and network-wide monitoring. Meraki’s cloud management provides an intuitive browser-based user interface that eliminates specialized training and dedicated staff. New features include automatic detection and monitoring of printers, showing printer ink levels across remote branches.
Meraki’s Networking as a Service is a new pay-as-you-go pricing program. Under Networking as a Service, customers can obtain MX routers through an annual subscription, with no upfront hardware costs. Customers can grow, shrink, or upgrade their network at any time.
MX series routers start at $35/month. This all-inclusive price includes hardware, software licenses, ongoing upgrades, maintenance, and support, with no hidden fees.
According to Meraki, Networking as a Service eliminates upfront hardware costs, increases flexibility, and reduces risk. You buy service on a per-unit, per-year basis. The price depends on the hardware you’re buying, with 802.11n Wireless LANs starting at under $25/AP/month, and branches at $35/router/month.
