A simple way to unify WAN and LAN: introducing Lumen® Managed Equipment with Cisco Meraki

For distributed organizations, managing fragmented WAN and LAN environments can slow troubleshooting, increase risk and make growth harder than it needs to be. That's why we've launched a fully managed solution that combines our automation and lifecycle expertise with Cisco Meraki’s intuitive, cloud-managed platform to help improve visibility, control and application performance.

It’s a typical scenario: your IT team is troubleshooting a network issue across multiple locations. The WAN provider says everything looks fine. The LAN vendor points to a configuration issue. Meanwhile, users are still experiencing application lag. Hours later, nothing is resolved.

Networks built with fragmented tools, providers and systems are notoriously difficult to manage. AI workloads, cloud applications and support for remote workforces are driving new demands and risks.

Distributed organizations need unified solutions. Lumen® SD-WAN and Managed Equipment with Cisco Meraki brings together our automation and lifecycle expertise and Meraki’s intuitive, cloud-managed platform to help improve visibility, control and application performance.

Fragmentation is holding networks back

Despite the increase in network locations, cloud environments and connected devices, organizations are still managing WAN, LAN and security separately.

That separation introduces friction at every level. Visibility is limited, so identifying the root cause of an issue takes longer than it should. Security policies that differ from site to site can create enhanced risk. Scaling the network, whether opening a new location or onboarding new applications, becomes slow and messy work.

For organizations with lean IT teams, the challenge is even more pronounced. Instead of supporting growth, innovation and user experience, teams are stuck in reactive mode. Adding more point solutions to the mix does not create a sustainable foundation for growth.

As the AI economy drives increasingly data-intensive workloads across industries— from healthcare to retail to manufacturing—businesses are no longer looking for connectivity alone.

The real shift happening in the market is toward simplification: a unified approach to network management that removes silos and minimizes operational complexity.

One platform. One partner. One fully managed network.

Lumen® SD-WAN and Managed Equipment with Cisco Meraki was built around this idea. Instead of treating WAN and LAN as separate environments, they’re delivered together as one fully managed solution.

Built on the cloud-managed Meraki platform and operated end-to-end by Lumen in a single environment, it’s a fundamentally different approach to network management. Our networking and managed services are deeply integrated with the Cisco Meraki platform, offering the advantage of industry-leading technology without the complexity of disjointed point solutions.

What does it change for distributed organizations?

• Simplified management: Instead of coordinating across multiple vendors and tools, one partner is accountable for performance, supported by one platform that centralizes network control and visibility.
• Minimal operational disruption: Because there’s a single source of truth and a single vendor accountable for resolution, issues can be addressed before they even impact users.
• Efficient deployment. With automated provisioning and standardized configurations, new sites can be brought online quickly and consistently to support expansion.
• Consistent security: Rather than managing separate policies, organizations can apply unified, integrated controls across users, devices and locations.
• Maximum scalability: A modular architecture allows businesses to easily expand, supporting new AI initiatives and future growth without overhauling infrastructure.

Behind it all, Lumen manages the full lifecycle: design, deployment, monitoring and optimization. IT teams are better positioned to support strategic initiatives. Whether it’s adopting new cloud applications, enhancing digital experiences or expanding into new markets, a simplified, unified network provides the foundation for faster execution and more reliable performance.

Cisco is a key part of the Lumen Connected Ecosystem that brings together the Lumen physical infrastructure, programmable network and industry-leading technology partners enabling customers to use fast and integrated solutions with confidence. In this case, Cisco Meraki brings the cloud-managed networking platform while Lumen brings the managed services, lifecycle expertise and enterprise network reach. Together, they create a simple, integrated experience for distributed organizations—helping them connect, secure and manage their environments with less complexity. Learn more about the partnership and the benefits of a unified WAN and LAN approach from Cisco's perspective.

A simple path forward

As networks continue to grow in scale and importance, connected technology ecosystems are essential. Organizations that continue to operate in fragmented environments will face ongoing performance, security and agility challenges.

Lumen SD-WAN and Managed Equipment with Cisco Meraki provides the modern architecture that businesses need to connect people, data and apps—quickly, securely and effortlessly.

Discover how you can simplify and secure full-stack networking today.

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