he latest webinar, Ruckus MSPs: Expand Your Options Without Losing What You Love, brought together industry experts to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing Managed Service Providers (MSPs) today: vendor lock-in. Hosted by Adlane Fellah, Chief Analyst at Maravedis, and featuring Magnus Johansson, CEO of WiBUZ, the discussion explored how MSPs can maintain control, enhance flexibility, and scale with confidence—all while keeping their trusted vendor relationships intact.
The WiFi Vendor Lock-In Problem: What’s at Stake?
The conversation started with real-world pain points from MSPs trapped by their existing vendor ecosystems. The research presented during the webinar highlighted key issues:
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Loss of control: Many MSPs feel at the mercy of vendor roadmaps, unable to dictate their technology trajectory.
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Escalating costs: Maintaining legacy vendor systems costs MSPs between $200K and $500K annually, often requiring teams of six or more developers.
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Limited integration capabilities: Most legacy systems struggle to integrate smoothly with modern business systems like property management and ticketing platforms.
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Slowed growth: The inability to mix and match vendors without excessive complexity inhibits expansion into new markets.
A Way Forward: The Single Pane of Glass Approach
Magnus Johansson introduced WiBUZ’s virtual operating system, an innovative approach that unifies vendor management under a single pane of glass. Rather than replacing existing vendor relationships, WiBUZ enhances them by enabling MSPs to:
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Maintain their preferred Ruckus deployments while integrating new vendors seamlessly.
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Leverage a unified interface to manage multiple technologies without vendor-imposed limitations.
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Access a library of pre-built workflows and automation tools, reducing the need for extensive in-house R&D.
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Gain control over their innovation roadmap without waiting on vendors.
Access the Replay
Case Study: A Rapid Deployment in Jamaica
One example discussed was the deployment of a large-scale Wi-Fi project in Jamaica. A small MSP, MSTECH, needed to deliver managed Wi-Fi to over 1,000 schools—starting with 350 in just 90 days. Initially considering a single-vendor solution, they found it lacked the flexibility to integrate switches and firewalls from different manufacturers.
By leveraging WiBUZ’s platform, they were able to:
- Quickly deploy Ruckus APs.
- Seamlessly add Open Wi-Fi solutions mid-project.
- Provide a nationwide monitoring dashboard, allowing IT managers to track performance at every level—from regional statistics to individual school APs.
The takeaway? Vendor flexibility = faster deployments and greater scalability.
Hot Questions from the Audience
The webinar wrapped up with an engaging Q&A, where MSPs got answers to their most pressing concerns:
1. How does this differ from solutions like RGNETs or Cloud4Wi?
- Unlike standalone solutions, WiBUZ is an overarching platform, integrating various vendor technologies while providing an MSP-branded experience.
2. How long does onboarding take?
- For a proof of concept, just a few days. Full deployment timelines vary depending on the existing tech stack.
3. Is pricing based on per-AP connections?
- WiBUZ offers flexible pricing models, including per-AP fees or enterprise-wide subscriptions with dedicated R&D resources.
4. Can it integrate with ticketing systems like ServiceNow?
- Yes! WiBUZ supports API-first integrations, allowing MSPs to connect their existing ticketing systems.
5. Does it support Eero APs alongside Ruckus and Meraki?
- It depends on whether the vendor provides API access. Open systems can be integrated, but closed ecosystems present challenges.
Final Thoughts: A Call to Action
This webinar reinforced that MSPs no longer have to be stuck with a single-vendor approach. Blending multiple vendors while maintaining a streamlined management system unlocks new revenue opportunities and scalability. If you’re an MSP looking to break free from vendor lock-in and future-proof your business, now is the time to explore solutions like WiBUZ.
Ready to take the next step? Join the early acceleration program and gain VIP access to the latest innovations in vendor-agnostic MSP management.
📩 Contact WiBUZ today to learn more or schedule a demo!