Cisco Adds New Specializations To Partner Program

Following last month's announcement regarding big changes to its channel program, on Tuesday Cisco Systems announced a dozen new Specialist certifications to help partners who want to add depth of expertise to their portfolios.

The specializations all focus on the better integration of networking and security technologies. They are:

• Advanced Wireless LAN Design Specialist
• Advanced Wireless LAN Field Specialist
• Advanced Wireless LAN Sales Specialist
• Security Solutions and Design Specialist
• Advanced Security Field Specialist
• Security Sales Specialist
• Routing and Switching Solutions Specialist
• Routing and Switching Field Specialist
• Routing and Switching Sales Specialist
• Foundation Design Specialist
• Foundation Field Specialist
• Foundation Sales Specialist
• Some Cisco partners say the revamped partner program, including the creation of deeper specializations, should help them drive more business.
• "Some of the recent announcements have really crystallized our own strategy; they're clearly in line with what we're trying to do," says Jere Brown, CEO of Dimension Data, a network consulting and integrated services company in New York City.
• More information about the new certifications is available at www.cisco.com/go/certification; information about training and availability can be found at www.cisco.com/go/certifications.