Fortinet FortiManager and Cisco DNA Center compete in centralized security and network management. Cisco DNA Center has the upper hand in network visibility and analytics, while FortiManager excels in the centralized management of Fortinet environments.
Features: Fortinet FortiManager provides centralized management for up to 100,000 devices with automation for deployments and policy creation. Its integration with Fortinet solutions offers seamless zero-touch provisioning and management capabilities. Cisco DNA Center excels in automation and provides comprehensive network visibility and analytics, enhancing security integration with Cisco devices.
Room for Improvement: FortiManager users report issues with documentation, real-time troubleshooting, and integration with external products. The VPN manager and user interface could be more intuitive. Cisco DNA Center experiences challenges with pricing, integration with non-Cisco products, and more detailed failure reporting, alongside desires for improvement in flexible configurations and intuitive interfaces.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both FortiManager and Cisco DNA Center offer on-premises deployment options, with FortiManager additionally thriving in cloud environments. FortiManager provides solid technical support, though sometimes lacking in speed and expertise. Cisco's support is more dependable but at a higher cost, providing consistent customer service due to its global reach.
Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiManager is seen as affordable with pricing flexibility based on device numbers, offering a significant ROI by optimizing management tasks. Cisco DNA Center, perceived as expensive, offers value in centralized management for large enterprises but may deter smaller businesses due to its cost. While offering comprehensive management tools, Cisco's high pricing impacts its ROI perception.
Although Cisco DNA Center is expensive, we have seen a return on investment in terms of time savings.
Fortinet provides a strong ROI for organizations focused on comprehensive security.
The cost has been reduced for us by 24%.
Overall, Cisco DNA Center rates eight out of ten as a complete solution.
I would rate Cisco support easily at nine out of ten.
The support for Cisco DNA Center is good.
The people are very good, and they are very attentive.
They are responsive and resolve issues quickly when I raise a ticket.
Fortinet support is responsive and helpful.
From my experience, we can easily manage numerous devices.
The solution is designed for large enterprise companies.
Whenever you are monitoring or managing more than 10 or 20 firewalls, it is evident that you need a single pane of glass, which Fortinet FortiManager is offering.
You can raise the capacity as you go, and there is no limit for hardware.
The problem is cloud connectivity and roaming profiles are not working, as there is no option for them.
When we communicate problems, they solve them effectively.
I rate the solution's stability ten out of ten.
95% of the time, there are no problems interacting with other devices.
It is an absolutely very stable product, and we have not encountered any kind of disruption as far as the product is concerned.
The AI-driven insights have contributed significantly to faster troubleshooting and predictive analytics.
The deployment part is definitely an area for improvement.
The client history in Cisco DNA Center can be longer than 10 days, perhaps extending to 15 or 20 days.
FortiManager is a good tool, but there is a lack of really advanced documentation.
The graphical user interface could use improvement as it appears complex and not user-friendly.
Fortinet FortiManager could benefit from integrations with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions.
I find Fortinet FortiManager to be a bit more expensive, especially when considering the environment.
On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a six out of ten.
I am satisfied with the licensing cost, and I would rate it an 8.5.
The most valuable features include AI-driven insights which make troubleshooting much easier.
If there is a problem, I can inspect the situation and see what is happening, which is beneficial.
I can automate the installation of configurations using different programming languages like Python or HPE, and it's a GUI solution, so it's pretty easy to use, even for basic users.
Being able to push consistent firewall rules and configuration changes across multiple FortiGates saves a ton of time and reduces errors compared to managing each device individually.
FortiManager captures all devices and provides reports for security analysis.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Cisco DNA Center | 9.4% |
| Fortinet FortiManager | 4.4% |
| Other | 86.2% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 12 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 9 |
| Large Enterprise | 24 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 35 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 17 |
| Large Enterprise | 19 |
Cisco DNA Center delivers powerful centralized security, automation, and comprehensive analytics for enhanced network management. With an intuitive dashboard and integration with Cisco devices, it reduces errors, boosts efficiency, and ensures seamless wired and wireless network operations.
Organizations leverage Cisco DNA Center for network management and automation, offering increased visibility into traffic flows and efficient device provisioning. It supports real-time data transmission, network segmentation, and integrates with ISE. Features like wireless assurance, centralized management, and AI-driven insights into network health promote an efficient network environment while addressing compliance issues. However, improvements are necessary for better third-party integration, affordability, and more user-friendly documentation.
What are the solution's most important features?In industries like healthcare, finance, and education, Cisco DNA Center's advanced features facilitate the management of complex network infrastructures and aid in achieving compliance efficiently. Its ability to manage LANs and WLANs supports diverse networking environments including greenfield projects and SPN setups.
Fortinet FortiManager offers centralized management for FortiGate devices, ensuring easy synchronization with cloud accounts, automation, and policy deployment, enhancing network security and performance.
Fortinet FortiManager provides comprehensive oversight and streamlined operations for FortiGate environments. It centralizes the administration of firewalls and other Fortinet devices, simplifying their configuration and deployment. Users benefit from its efficient automation and policy management capabilities, which reduce implementation times and enhance security protocols. FortiManager features seamless integration and robust monitoring within a single interface, offering visibility across network operations. While it requires improvements in documentation, platform integration, and licensing clarity, it remains an essential tool for large-scale network management.
What are the standout features?In the finance and healthcare industries, Fortinet FortiManager enhances security and compliance by streamlining policy management and deployment across multiple sites. Retail sectors benefit from its scalable network management, ensuring continuous and reliable connectivity across branches. Education institutions use it to manage complex security infrastructures, effectively handling multiple devices and networks to safeguard sensitive data.
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