Cisco Adds New Specialization

The new specialization is worth 20 points toward certification as a Cisco Premier, Silver or Gold partner under the networking vendor's channel program.

Since Cisco introduced its new channel program requiring technology specializations 18 months ago, the company has focused on creating specialization programs for emerging technologies, said Surinder Brar, senior director of worldwide channels marketing. The new specialization rounds out the channel program by focusing on Cisco's core technologies and can serve as a way for solution providers to enter the Cisco fold as Premier partners, Brar said.

Still, existing partners will likely avail themselves of the new specialization to highlight their routing and switching expertise.

Tom Shaw, president and CEO of Wide Area Management Services, a Cisco Silver partner based in Santa Clara, Calif., said his company will pursue the new specialization. "We already have IP telephony and wireless specializations," he said. "Our customers know we have this expertise, but the specialization shows them that Cisco recognizes our expertise."

Cisco's specializations provide a training road map and testing process to verify that partners have the expertise to plan, design, install and support Cisco solutions.

In addition to meeting staffing and support-level requirements, solution providers must earn specialization points to become certified Cisco partners, Brar said. To attain Premier status, partners must accrue 20 points. Silver partners must earn 40 specialization points and 20 extra-credit points. Gold partners need 70 specialization points and 30 extra-credit points. Extra-credit points are earned for adding more specializations, exceeding customer satisfaction targets and increasing certified staff, Brar said.