Network infrastructure requires constant attention. Devices need monitoring, configurations need adjusting, security patches demand timely deployment, and when problems arise, they need immediate resolution. For organizations without dedicated infrastructure teams, managing Meraki networks alongside other IT responsibilities creates stress—critical systems depend on timely updates and responses that distracted teams can’t reliably provide.
Managed service providers (MSPs) specializing in Meraki handle this operational burden, allowing organizations to focus on business objectives while ensuring networks operate reliably and securely. Understanding what managed services include helps organizations decide whether outsourcing network management serves their needs better than internal management.
Managed services means an external organization takes responsibility for keeping your Cisco Meraki infrastructure operating efficiently and securely. Rather than your internal staff managing networks, the MSP monitors, maintains, and supports them.
Core Components
Managed Meraki services typically include:
24/7 Monitoring
MSPs use automated monitoring tools constantly watching network health:
Monitoring detects problems before they impact operations, enabling proactive resolution rather than reactive firefighting.
Rapid Incident Response
When problems occur, MSPs respond immediately:
Service level agreements (SLAs) define response times—typically 1-hour response for critical issues, 4-hour for important issues, 24-hour for non-urgent matters.
Patch Management
Security patches and firmware updates require testing, scheduling, and deployment. MSPs:
This proactive approach prevents the security vulnerabilities and stability issues that occur when updates are delayed.
Configuration Management
MSPs maintain accurate configurations and prevent unauthorized changes:
Performance Optimization
Rather than waiting until problems impact users, MSPs optimize:
This optimization prevents problems before they occur.
Security Monitoring
Beyond basic monitoring, managed services include:
Reporting and Insights
Regular reporting provides visibility and accountability:
Lack of Internal Expertise
Many organizations lack dedicated network staff. Instead, IT generalists manage networks alongside servers, desktops, and applications. This creates risks:
MSPs bring specialized expertise developed across many customer environments.
Cost Efficiency
Building internal network teams is expensive:
Managed services shift fixed costs to variable costs—you pay for what you use rather than maintaining permanent staff.
Focus on Core Business
IT infrastructure is increasingly important but not central to most business strategies. Managed services free internal staff to focus on:
This reallocation of focus creates business value beyond just cost savings.
24/7 Coverage
Most organizations can’t justify 24/7 network monitoring internally. Yet network problems don’t respect business hours—they occur at midnight on weekends when critical systems fail. MSPs provide round-the-clock coverage ensuring someone is always available to address issues.
Proactive Optimization
Busy internal staff react to problems when they occur. MSPs proactively optimize, preventing problems from occurring. This shift from reactive to proactive management dramatically improves reliability.
Compliance and Security
Regulatory requirements (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, etc.) often demand specific security controls, audit trails, and documentation. MSPs:
This proactive approach reduces compliance risk and audit burden.
All-Inclusive Managed Services
The MSP takes responsibility for all aspects of your Meraki deployment:
This approach is comprehensive but higher-cost. Organizations uncertain about specific needs often choose this model to ensure complete coverage.
Tiered Service Levels
MSPs often offer multiple tiers:
Basic Tier:
Professional Tier:
Enterprise Tier:
Organizations choose tiers matching their risk tolerance and budget.
Hybrid Management
Some MSPs offer hybrid models where they handle specific tasks while your team handles others:
These hybrid approaches often provide good balance of cost and capability.
Meraki Specialization
Not all MSPs specialize in Meraki. Choose providers who:
Generalist MSPs managing many technologies often lack Meraki depth.
SLA Commitments
Verify SLAs cover what matters to you:
Clear SLAs create accountability and set realistic expectations.
Monitoring Capabilities
Quality MSPs use sophisticated monitoring:
Ask to see their monitoring platform in action.
Communication
Determine how they communicate:
Clear communication prevents surprises and frustration.
Pricing Transparency
Understand what you’re paying for:
Transparent pricing prevents surprise bills and enables fair comparisons.
References and Track Record
Ask for references from organizations similar to yours:
Real customer feedback reveals actual experiences better than vendor promises.
Managed Services Advantages
Internal Management Advantages
Most organizations find managed services provide better value than DIY management, especially as deployments grow and complexity increases.
Transition Process
Moving to managed services involves:
This typically takes 2-4 weeks for small deployments, longer for complex environments.
Retaining Internal Oversight
Even with managed services, maintain some internal knowledge:
This provides checks and balances ensuring MSP service remains aligned with your needs.
Calculate True Costs
Compare managed services against internal management:
Internal Management Costs:
Managed Services Costs:
For many organizations, managed services cost less while providing superior expertise and availability.
Clear Expectations
Establish what you expect:
Written agreements prevent misunderstandings.
Regular Business Reviews
Schedule quarterly or annual meetings to:
Regular reviews ensure the relationship continues serving your needs.
Feedback and Adjustment
Provide constructive feedback:
Good MSPs value customer input and adjust service delivery accordingly.
For organizations considering managed Meraki services, Stratus Information Systems provides comprehensive managed Meraki services focused on keeping your network operating reliably and securely. Our team handles monitoring, incident response, patch management, and optimization—allowing your organization to focus on business objectives rather than infrastructure management.
Managed services represent a partnership between your organization and a specialized provider committed to your network’s success. The right provider becomes an extension of your team, shouldering the operational burden of infrastructure management while you focus on growing your business.
