Subscriber Discussion

Cisco / Meraki Camera Launch

NH
Nicolas Heyman
Sep 13, 2016
(2)
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Ethan Ace
Sep 13, 2016

$1,300-1,500 for 720p cameras in 2016? Whaaaat?

Based on that price alone, I don't see this going anywhere.

(3)
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Brian Rhodes
Sep 13, 2016
IPVMU Certified

These look to be 5MP cameras, although they do a bad job of indicating it:

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Ethan Ace
Sep 13, 2016

Really bad, because they say "720p" recording all over the place:

(1)
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Brian Rhodes
Sep 13, 2016
IPVMU Certified

Ha ha ha, geeze.

U
Undisclosed #1
Sep 13, 2016
IPVMU Certified

It's simple guys; 5MP is the number to use when referring to the superior resolution of the camera, 720p is the number to use when calculating your ample 20 days of continuous storage.

Trying to use both though in the same sentence can lead to confusion :)

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Brian Rhodes
Sep 13, 2016
IPVMU Certified

Why does this look promising?

Aside from carrying the Cisco and Meraki cobrand, what is special about these cameras?

$1300 for a 5MP indoor dome, and $1500 for an outdoor/ IP66, IK10 5MP dome is not too interesting when the median price is less than $700 across the market.

(1)
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John Jenkins
Jun 15, 2017

With these cameras you are getting much more than just the camera.  Really, you are getting a pre configured NVR, VMS, and an easy to use browser based client. 

 

Don't get me wrong, these cameras will not solve every problem out there, but the scalability, sustainability and ease of use/deployment makes these things very exciting to me and my team. 

Cheers!

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Brian Karas
Jun 15, 2017
IPVM

Really, you are getting a pre configured NVR, VMS, and an easy to use browser based client.

Yes, but you're also getting 720p video, which is very low end by modern standards. Even cheap consumer DIY kits are commonly 1080p, or even higher. And a tiny amount of storage by current standards, even for its low-res video.

On top of that you're paying more for 1 of these cameras than you would for an entire mini-system with higher resolution, plus you pay monthly fees on top of the high purchase price.

The scalability is not really there either, you can only view 12 cameras at a time in its browser interface, where other VMS-based systems can allow for viewing of dozens cameras, across 1 or more monitors, video walls, etc.

The Meraki camera appeals to IT guys who are not up to speed on mainstream security offerings, though to be fair to Cisco, that is probably a sizable market.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Jun 15, 2017

If Meraki were to up the storage capacity, bump the resolution to 1080p and lower the price they'd sell a lot of these.

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John Jenkins
Jun 16, 2017

I think that you touched a key point there, very few of my customers have held a real business problem that demands a video wall that can deliver more than 12 streams at a time. And even fewer of them have a staffed SOC that can operate such a thing effectively. 

The recording's low resolution is a real thing, but if you are familiar with how Meraki does business, you will know that they over build their hardware (cameras not excluded) so as to accommodate the additional requirements that will be driven up by their feature set updates and upgrades that come with their licensing structure. 

None of these updates, or licensing structures have a monthly charge associated with them, so I am curious about that part. But the rest of your statements are very true and will drive the need for a thoughtful integrator and or consultant to be weary of overselling what problems these cameras can help solve.

(1)
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Brian Karas
Jun 16, 2017
IPVM

I spoke with Cisco/Meraki when they launched this product, which is covered in our report: Cisco Meraki Launches The Most Expensive HD Camera In Years.

You are correct there is no specific monthly charge, but there are annual license charges, I misspoke on that. From the report I linked above:

Pricing Overview

The indoor camera is $1,299 MSRP, and the outdoor camera is $1,499 MSRP. Integrator discounts vary by partner level, with street prices expected to be ~10% less than MSRP.

In addition to the camera hardware price, a per-camera annual license is required to use the software. Licenses start at $300 for a 1-year term, but can be purchased multiple years at a time to get discounts. For example $600 gets a 3 year license, and a 5 year license is $900. These prices are also MSRP, and integrators may choose to sell them for a lower price. The licenses are 1-time transactions, so there is no RMR component.

The recording's low resolution is a real thing, but if you are familiar with how Meraki does business, you will know that they over build their hardware (cameras not excluded) so as to accommodate the additional requirements that will be driven up by their feature set updates and upgrades that come with their licensing structure.

Maybe, but I don't see this as a benefit in the current market. Meraki's camera has a low resolution for current "business class" offerings, and an exceptionally low resolution for it's price and subscription fees. Meraki is either unable to make their infrastructure work with higher resolutions, or are intentionally limiting the product up front just so they can sell you "upgrades" later. Neither scenario sounds like the kind of company/product I would want to be recommending to good customers.

 

NH
Nicolas Heyman
Sep 13, 2016

The cloud based VMS / NVR is included in the pricing. For small branches already Meraki connected, this will be an easy fit as opposed to running another system. This looks like Dropcam for enterprise.

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U
Undisclosed #1
Sep 13, 2016
IPVMU Certified

"This looks like Dropcam for enterprise."

At ADT prices.

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Jon Dillabaugh
Sep 14, 2016
Pro Focus LLC

Was this product launch dated 2010?

NH
Nicolas Heyman
Sep 14, 2016

Addition this allows security to be purchase to through an IT VAR with attendant discounts for bundled orders.

(1)
U
Undisclosed #1
Sep 14, 2016
IPVMU Certified

Addition this allows security to be purchase to through an IT VAR with attendant discounts for bundled orders.

Bait and managed switch?

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Peter Pavlov
Sep 26, 2016

I really like the Meraki cloud platform for their switches, routers/firewalls and APs so it will be interesting to see their CCTV solution.

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Ricardo Souza
Sep 26, 2016
Motorola Solutions • IPVMU Certified

A lot of companies are going to by because:

1 - some already have cisco equipment and support contracts, so cisco can offer higher discounts.

2 - it has a nice cisco label on it. and let´s not forget that this can leads switch sales (BUY A 4500 FOR ACCESS, NO LAG!)

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