Episode 136: vMX Marks the Spot: Unifying the Cloud Frontier

In this Meraki Unboxed podcast, we’re getting schooled. Tune in to learn about the E-Rate program, a vital federal resource helping K-12 schools secure funding for internet connectivity. Join our host Sammy and guests Cedric Lockhart and Janell Tennyson as they discuss sales leadership strategies, Cisco’s competitive edge, the significance of the five-year funding cycle, and common misconceptions about E-Rate funding. Class is now in session!HostSammy Brenner, Virtual Sales Leader, Cisco MerakiGuestsCedric Lockhart, Senior Director, Cisco Networking Sales for Public SectorCedric Lockhart has a passion for connecting with people and developing winning teams. While serving as Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, he learned that the best leaders focus on the people, set a positive tone, develop plans that overachieve the objectives, and think BIG! He has carried those same core beliefs into his sales leadership career. Cedric currently leads the $3.5B Public Sector Networking Business. During his 15-year Cisco-career, Cedric has held a number of sales and sales leadership roles, including leading the Cisco Meraki Americas business, Enterprise and Service Provider business for Cisco AppDynamics, Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader for Enterprise, and other roles in corporate tech sales.Janell Tennyson, Sales Business Development, E-Rate LeadJanell Tennyson is E-Rate Lead for the Cisco Public Funding Team. Janell is an experienced grant writer with over 16 years working in the telecommunications industry. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing the entire E-Rate process and educating the field, partners, and customers to better understand and effectively utilize and maintain compliance with E-Rate rules and regulations.

In this Meraki Unboxed episode, we discuss something that’s very near and dear to our host Tanner’s heart (and team)—the new Meraki vMX! This virtual security and SD-WAN powerhouse unifies on-premises and cloud networks, tackles modern security challenges, and streamlines management with automation and a unified dashboard. Tune in to hear Tanner and his team discuss the latest features, cloud integrations, and how vMX is reshaping distributed networking for hybrid and multicloud environments.https://meraki.cisco.com/product/hybrid-cloud/vmx/vmx-small/ https://meraki.cisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vMX-datasheet-20230421-english.pdf https://meraki.cisco.com/form/trial/ HostTanner Yehlik, Technical Marketing Engineer, Cisco MerakiGuestsSimarbir Singh, Product Manager, vMX, Cisco Meraki  John Shea, Technical Solutions Architect, Enterprise Networking, Cisco

Recap the highlights of Cisco Live 2025 San Diego in this episode of Meraki Unboxed. From exciting product announcements to the growing impact of AI on the Cisco portfolio, we explore how innovation and customer focus took center stage.  Tune in for insights into the event’s dynamic culture, networking opportunities, and what’s next for Cisco and its partners.HostSammy Brenner, Virtual Sales Leader, Cisco MerakiGuestsRachel Greene, Inside Sales Director, Cisco MerakiMike Yin is the Global Solution Engineering Director of Secure Network at Cisco. He is an experienced and successful technical sales leader with a proven track record in both startups and established companies. Having joined Meraki in 2012, Mike held sales engineering leadership positions in the biggest growth markets and propelled the business to over 60x revenue growth. Then, as the global SE leader, Mike helped establish Meraki as the primary platform for Cisco Networking and transformed the industry through cloud and simplicity.  Mike is passionate about building a team culture that thrives on a sense of purpose in helping customers achieve their own mission. The team paved the way for many best practices such as demo mastery, API and ecosystem, and MEDDPICC adoption. This has not only resulted in astronomical revenue growth, but also a sustained world-class renewal rate.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Catch up from Cisco Live:: https://cisco.com/Announced at Cisco Live: https://www.cisco.com/?socialshare=video-livestream  Powering the future of secure AI infrastructure: https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-powers-secure-infrastructure-for-the-ai-era.html  Unveiling secure network architecture to accelerate workplace AI transformation: https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-unveils-secure-network-architecture-to-accelerate-workplace-ai-transformation.html  Transforming security for agentic AI era, further fusing security into the network: https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-transforms-security-for-the-agentic-ai-era-further-fusing-security-into-the-network.html  Powering AI-ready data centers, from hyperscale to enterprise: https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-powers-ai-ready-data-centers-from-hyperscale-to-enterprise.html  Cisco 8000 Secure Routers: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/networking/sdwan-routers/cisco-8000-secure-routers/index.html  Cisco C9350 Series Smart Switches: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/networking/switches/c9350-series-smart-switches/index.html  Cisco C9610 Series Smart Switches: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/networking/switches/c9610-series-smart-switches/index.html  Blogs:Cisco New Family of Cisco Smart Switches From AgenticOps to Assurance Meet the Cisco Deep Network Model Redefining Branch Networking Wi-Fi for the AI EnterpriseExpanding the Edge of Possibility

In this Humans of Meraki episode, Helen Fream takes us on her dynamic Cisco journey—from designing the popular Meraki e-learning program to championing mentorship and leading Women of Meraki. With humor and heart, Helen shares how she’s created opportunities, mastered public speaking, and pursued her love of sustainable fashion. You won’t want to miss this uplifting conversation, full of insights on inclusion and growth and making bold moves in the workplace!Embark on the Meraki FIT journey https://community.meraki.com/t5/Meraki-FIT/ct-p/merakifitHostSammy Brenner, Virtual Sales Leader, Cisco MerakiGuestHelen Fream, Instructional Designer – Join & Connect Enablement [email protected] is a Learning & Development professional with a strong background in instructional design, program management, and digital learning solutions. Throughout her career at Cisco, she has built global onboarding initiatives and created impactful learning experiences for diverse audiences. Known for her creativity, organization, and cross-functional collaboration, she is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, having led the ERO Women of Meraki, as a sustainable fashion enthusiast, and as a dedicated Toastmaster!

We’re back with another Meraki Unboxed episode where we unpack Cisco Meraki MV solutions and their role in blending physical security with IT networks. We’ll chat about how cloud-managed security and AI are making workspaces safe and introduce you to the new MV53X bullet and MV84X multi-imager cameras. Plus, find out how our new Cross-Camera Tracking feature is revolutionizing surveillance without using facial recognition. And sprinkled throughout the discussion are deployment strategies, industry use cases, and the scoop on upcoming physical security events. Listen now!Products MV53X PDP MV84X Datasheet (coming April 2025)  Other Activations Build Physical Security Superpowers with Smart Bullet Cameras and Multi-Imagers Blog Meraki MV ISC West InvitationUpcoming April 10 WebinarHostTanner Yehlik, Technical Marketing Engineer, Cisco MerakiGuestsShashank Nalla is Product Manager of the Cisco Meraki smart camera portfolio, where he drives the development of cloud-managed AI-enabled smart camera solutions. With expertise in product strategy, hardware development, and cross-functional collaboration, he delivers innovative products that streamline modern physical security solutions. Prior to Meraki, Shashank worked at Osram, where he contributed to the development of advanced lighting and sensor products. His experience spans multiple industries, equipping him with a deep understanding of technology and customer needs to deliver impactful solutions.George Bentinck is Vice President of Product Management – IoT and Edge Intelligence at Cisco Meraki. He leads the strategic direction and growth of AI-enabled products, including MV smart cameras and MT smart sensors. Since joining Cisco through the 2012 Meraki acquisition, George has been instrumental in developing new product categories and expanding into new markets.      With a background in sales engineering at Avaya and Nortel, George holds a Bachelor's degree in internet engineering from the University of Exeter. He lives in San Francisco and enjoys designing sensor systems for optimizing race car performance in his spare time. 

In this episode of Humans of Meraki, Rishi Korada, a Senior Solutions Engineering Manager at Cisco, shares her career journey from the Cisco Sales Associate Program to becoming a Meraki Sales Engineer. She shares insights on overcoming gender bias in a male-dominated field, the critical role of emotional intelligence in sales engineering, and the transformative role feedback plays in personal development. Rishi also highlights how a strong team culture and mentorship have propelled her career, encouraging listeners to trust their instincts, pursue opportunities, and build connections to achieve their professional goals.Learn about the Cisco Sales Associate Program (CSAP): https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/careers/communities/students-and-new-graduates/sales-associates.htmlHostSammy Brenner, Virtual Sales Leader, Cisco MerakiGuestRishi Korada is a seasoned professional with over 13 years of experience in the computer networking industry. She currently serves as a Senior Solutions Engineering Manager for specialist network engineers supporting the Commercial West area at Cisco, having held roles as a solutions engineer and SE manager. Throughout her career, Rishi has supported a diverse range of sectors, including global service provider, global enterprise, and commercial segments, while specializing in verticals such as sports/media, healthcare, retail/hospitality, and fintech. A passionate advocate for building high-performance teams, Rishi thrives on continuous learning and problem-solving. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, discovering new cuisines, playing basketball, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts. 

Tune in to this Meraki Unboxed episode as we flip the script on cloud-managed switching. Discover the impact of the new Cisco Meraki MS150 access switch and its role in the Cisco portfolio—enabling exciting use cases with scalability and security. We’ll also discuss the latest developments in cloud-native IOS XE, the evolving capabilities of Catalyst 9000 Series Switches, and other trends and announcements on the horizon.Meraki MS150: https://meraki.cisco.com/product/switches/access-switches/ms150/  Cloud-Native IOS XE Documentation: https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/Cloud-Native_IOS_XE/Cloud-Native_IOS_XE_Overview  Switching Community: https://community.meraki.com/t5/Switching/bd-p/switchingHostTanner Yehlik, Technical Marketing Engineer, Cisco MerakiGuestsNico Darrow, Senior Technical Marketing Engineer, Cisco MerakiKorey Rebello, Leader of Product Management, Cisco

In our first podcast of 2025, we welcome George Bentinck, Vice President of Product Management – IoT and Edge Intelligence at Cisco Meraki. Join us in exploring George’s journey from engineer to product management, his career challenges and triumphs, and his leadership of the MV/MT product lines. Gain insights into the evolution of these technologies and get a sneak peek into what’s to come at Cisco Live EMEA.HostSammy Brenner, Virtual Sales Leader, Cisco MerakiGuestGeorge Bentinck is Vice President of Product Management – IoT and Edge Intelligence at Cisco Meraki. He leads the strategic direction and growth of AI-enabled products, including MV smart cameras and MT smart sensors. Since joining Cisco through the 2012 Meraki acquisition, George has been instrumental in developing new product categories and expanding into new markets.    With a background in sales engineering at Avaya and Nortel, George holds a Bachelor's degree in Internet Engineering from the University of Exeter. He lives in San Francisco and enjoys designing sensor systems for optimizing race car performance in his spare time.Meraki Physical Security Solutions pageSmart Cameras Product page

The holiday season offers a wonderful opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and community giving. In this episode, we discover how Merakians are embodying these values through initiatives like Meraki Gives and the annual Movember fundraising event.HostSammy Brenner, Virtual Sales Leader, Cisco MerakiGuestsRacha Tfaili, Strategic Sales Manager, Service Provider, Cisco Lorenzo Garcia-Garth, Solutions Engineering Leader, CiscoDonations through Racha's Movember Page:  https://us.movember.com/donate/details?memberId=15342078#amount For Information about the Movember Foundation and its mission: https://us.movember.com/?home

In this special launch episode of the Meraki Unboxed podcast, we explore the new Cisco Wi-Fi 7 access points and how they redefine connectivity for modern workspaces. Discover how AI-enhanced technology boosts IoT connectivity and strengthens security and resilience. Tune in for insights into the future of network connectivity.HostTanner Yehlik, Technical Marketing Engineer, Cisco MerakiGuestAmeya Ahir, Product Manager, Cisco Meraki Wireless Read the announcement: https://investor.cisco.com/news/news-details/2024/Cisco-Introduces-Intelligent-Secure-and-Assured-Wi-Fi-7-to-Transform-Employee-and-Customer-Experiences/default.aspxWatch Wi-Fi 7 LinkedIn Live with Jeetu Patel and Lawrence Huang: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7259283263284797442/comments/Read the blog from Lawrence Huang: https://blogs.cisco.com/news/introducing-zero-friction-wireless-for-smarter-workplaces?dtid=osolie001456&utm_loc=au,glb&utm_lang=enExplore our new Wi-Fi 7 solutions and see how they can transform your workplace: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/networking/wireless/index.htmlCisco Wireless 9176 Series Access Points Data Sheet: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9100ax-access-points/wireless-9176-series-acc-point-ds.html?dtid=osscdc000283Cisco Wireless 9178 Series Access Points Data Sheet: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9100ax-access-points/wireless-9178-series-access-point-ds.html?dtid=osscdc000283