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Cisco Launches the Cisco 360 Partner Program

Cisco has recently unveiled its Cisco 360 Partner Program, a significant initiative aimed at bolstering partnerships and aiding clients in achieving transformative outcomes through artificial intelligence. This program comes to life after a collaborative design period of fifteen months with various partners, emphasizing Cisco's commitment to working closely within its ecosystem.

A New Era of Partnership

At the heart of the Cisco 360 Partner Program is the objective to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of partnerships within the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Cisco acknowledges that the success in this arena is heavily reliant on partner capabilities, allowing organizations to build AI-ready data centers, prepare future workplaces, and foster digital resilience.

Cisco's Senior Vice President of Global Partner Sales, Tim Coogan, highlighted, "With our partners, we've strengthened what is already a world-class ecosystem to deliver even greater value and help our mutual customers connect, protect and thrive." This sentiment underscores the collective goal of maximizing customer value through focused partnerships.

Empowering Partners with New Tools

The Cisco 360 Partner Program introduces new partner designations that facilitate the customer journey in finding the right solutions. Every participant in the program is recognized as a registered Cisco Partner, with options to further demonstrate proven sales and technical expertise. For instance, Cisco Portfolio Partners not only show mature practices but also a commitment to engaging with customers effectively.

Moreover, the program aims to arm partners with clearer profitability pathways. The newly announced Cisco Partner Incentive (CPI) simplifies previous structures, ensuring partners can predict earnings more reliably. This strategic alignment empowers partners to tailor their sales and marketing approaches according to Cisco's evolving roadmap.

Focused on Customer Needs

The unveiling of the new program comes at a time when the demand for AI-integrated solutions is soaring. Cisco's recent AI Readiness Index demonstrates that businesses equipped for AI have a competitive edge. Consequently, the program highlights the significance of expert partnerships, providing essential infrastructure and AI capabilities that guide clients through technological transformations.

The program also integrates innovative features such as the Cisco Partner Locator tool, making it easier for customers to identify partners with the required expertise. As they locate Cisco partners across crucial areas like security, networking, and collaboration, businesses can make more informed decisions aligned with their needs.

Enhanced Support and Learning Resources

To further differentiate and amplify partners' offerings, Cisco has introduced several new resources.

• - Cisco Partner Incentive (CPI): Aimed at enhancing partners' earning potential, this will bring temporary bonuses for specializations, encouraging comprehensive solutions across security and AI frameworks.
• - Partner Value Indexes (PVI): A measurement tool that allows for tailored learning paths, enhancing partner capacity and profitability.
• - Distributor Development Fund: Focused on aligning strategies with distributors to widen support networks and foster growth further.
• - Cisco AI Assistant: An enhanced AI-driven tool designed to streamline partner operations and boost customer value delivery.

These initiatives underscore Cisco’s approach to fostering an environment where partners can confidently scale their operations and meet customer demands seamlessly.

Key Industry Quotes and Insights

The Cisco 360 Partner Program aims not only to solidify existing partnerships but to create opportunities for growth and differentiation. Elisabeth De Dobbeleer, Cisco’s Senior Vice President, indicated that the program was crafted with the intention of fostering collective success and clarifying its ecosystem's value proposition.

Various partners have already expressed how their involvement in the program has positively influenced their operations. Insight’s Kevin Brown emphasized the alignment of their engagement strategy with Cisco's goals to deliver significant customer outcomes.

Alex Schank from Pomeroy Technologies praised the active incorporation of partner feedback throughout the program's redesign, reflecting a commitment to creating a supportive and empowering partnership ecosystem.

Anurag Agrawal of Techaisle commented on the transformation the program represents, noting its potential in generating unprecedented profitability through high-touch, AI-ready models.

Conclusion

In an age where technological evolution is rapid and relentless, Cisco’s new 360 Partner Program stands as a testament to its forward-thinking approach. By prioritizing partnership, expertise, and customer-centric solutions, Cisco is not only reinforcing its market position but paving the way for others in the industry to harness the power of AI effectively and affordably. As this program rolls out, businesses can expect a newfound vigor in collaborative efforts to transform how organizations connect and succeed in a digital-first world.

For more details on the Cisco 360 Partner Program, visit Cisco's official site or explore the resources available through their Partner Tool locator.