Page 39 - SAMENA Trends - March 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

complexity while improving operational
efficiency, bundled solutions will be
available that focus on key technology
areas to support rapidly growing
businesses.
• Secure connectivity via Meraki:
Network downtime and security
issues can impact revenue, customer
loyalty and data security. Bringing
together the high-speed and high-
density capabilities of WiFi 6 to the
cloud-managed Meraki portfolio of
access points, the new Meraki Wi-Fi
6 Access points bring simple network
management and help with improved
network performance, reliability and
security – without the need for more IT
staff. Cisco’s first WiFI6 access point
for Small Businesses brings flexibility to
growing businesses looking to digitize
quickly. The technology will enable their
network to scale to effectively manage
more connected devices and richer
content like video, as well as provide business insights on areas ranging costs involved in sending traffic to a
better performance as new applications from foot traffic to identifying which data center. They offer a 360-degree
emerge. displays are attracting attention to view through a fisheye camera, and
• Meraki Cloud-managed Smart Cameras: parking utilization. These new cameras one unit can cover an entire premise
Not only can cameras help reduce include high-quality video, wireless efficiently for small businesses.
inventory shrinkage and other risks, connectivity, on-appliance storage and
they are also powered to deliver valuable built-in advanced analytics, eliminating

Cisco Hands OpenRoaming Over to WBA

MacPherson. Federation members include “we are at the early stages of adoption
wireless access providers, such as service where WBA will take the leadership and
providers, managed service providers drive to scale globally, working with our
and property owners with guest Wi-Fi Roaming members,” Rodrigues said via
services; identity providers like MVNOs, email. “So whilst OpenRoaming today
social networks, and consumer brand will have limited impact on our current
companies; and handset makers and direct situation, in the future the ability to
Cisco’s decision to donate its networking companies such as Cisco. With connect automatically to a Wi-Fi network
OpenRoaming technology to the Wireless OpenRoaming now becoming an open will significantly enhance the ability to
Broadband Alliance (WBA) should lead to standard via WBA, it will create a world work remotely, connect with family and
better Wi-Fi roaming in the future. Cisco where Wi-Fi users will be able to move friends, wherever you are in the world,” he
had been working on OpenRoaming for seamlessly from one Wi-Fi network to said. “In addition, policies can be applied
more than two years. It’s built on the another without re-registering or signing to give priority to emergency services
foundation of Passpoint, also known in, which is a big impediment to getting in challenging situations. This will not
as Hotspot 2.0, which allows people to people to use services. The process of only help offset some of the challenges
automatically and securely connect to handing the technology over to the WBA of global or national emergencies but
Wi-Fi networks, acting more like a cellular started before the coronavirus outbreak, more generally enhance productivity of
network in that regard. Specifically, but it will have future implications to the global workforce and help to support
OpenRoaming allows a Wi-Fi device to improve communications when people a positive work/life balance.” Some of
automatically and securely connect to any need remote connectivity, according the benefits for cities, enterprises and
Wi-Fi access point that’s supported by to WBA CEO Tiago Rodrigues. Cisco venues include extending relationships
the OpenRoaming Federation, according has already rolled out OpenRoaming to with customers beyond their own city,
to a blog by Cisco CTO of Wireless Matt a number of its customers. However, enterprise and venue; securing new

39 MARCH 2020