Emma Okonji
In order to enhance job creation among Nigerian youth operating micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), Cisco Meraki, a cloud managed Information Technology (IT) solutions firm has stressed the need for solutions that are highly simplified and digitised, with capabilities to address immediate challenges.
The company made the disclosure in Lagos at a media briefing to announce its offerings specifically designed to help MSMEs in Nigeria, simplify IT and create jobs.
“With many organisations today dealing with the challenges of lack of funding for advanced digital solutions and a lack of IT specialists to manage those solutions, Meraki provides a simplified path to powerful technology,” the company said.
According to Cisco, digitisation is the big trend of today and it is important for businesses, whether big or small to adopt digitisation. The new Meraki offerings were designed to simplify IT solutions for small and medium businesses even in the absence of an IT specialist. The technology provides complete network visibility and control – no hardware controllers or overlay software required.
Configurations and management are easily performed remotely or on-site, while trouble shooting can be done in a fraction of the time with advanced networking analytics, allowing businesses to focus on more projects that are impactful.
Speaking at the event, General Manager of Cisco Nigeria, Olakunle Oloruntimehin, said: “Cisco Meraki creates the simplest, most powerful solutions, helping everyone from small businesses to global enterprises save time and money.
“It helps organisations to rapidly roll out digital initiatives, delivering real business value. We are committed to helping our customers overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Technology can connect us, empower us, and drive us.
“At Cisco, we believe that by simplifying powerful technology, we can free passionate people to focus on their mission and reach groups previously not utilising technology.”
Substantiating the importance of simplified IT solutions, the Territory Manager for Nigeria, Ghana, East and sub-Saharan Africa, Nick Malherbe, explained the need for businesses to use data smartly and securely for business success.
He said, “In Nigeria, small and medium businesses account for 84 per cent of employment attesting to the fact that they contribute greatly to the GDP of the economy. The success of this sector is key for the success of our economy, it is therefore imperative that these businesses use IT solutions that are secure, simple and intelligent.”
“With Cisco Meraki, these MSMEs can enjoy agility, operational efficiency, and most importantly, data security that they require to accelerate their digital transformations. Our goal is to help customers benefit from digitisation by simplifying IT solutions,” Malherbe said.
