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Authorized Business Edition Program

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Through the Cisco Authorized Business Edition Program, qualifying partners can gain access to Cisco Unified Communications Manager Business Edition 3000 and 5000 products, solutions which address market segments ranging to 300 and 500 users, respectively.

By completing the program requirements, partners demonstrate their competency in deploying these solutions and are eligible to participate in the Cisco Value Incentive Program. The program is customized for partners who focus on midsized businesses, and it requires training and exams for only the Cisco Unified Communications Manager Business Edition.

Cisco Authorized Business Edition Program Requirements

To participate in program, partners must fulfill each of the following defined job roles:

  1. Account Manager
  2. Engineer 1
  3. Engineer 2

Cisco Authorized Business Edition Program requirements are as follows:

Account Manager
Responsible for Cisco Unified Communications sales methodology and customer engagement.

Required Prerequisite:

Required Exams:

Note: The Lifecycle Services exam has become part of the required exam set to achieve the Cisco Advanced IP Communications Sales Specialist certification effective May 16 2008. As a result, the exam will no longer be displayed here as an independent exam, but may be found on the Cisco Advanced IP Communications Sales Specialist page. This does not change the overall number of required exams to qualify for this role.

Recommended Training:

Engineer 1
Presales engineer; responsible for Cisco Unified Communications solution planning and design.

Required Prerequisite:

Required Exams:

Recommended Training:

Engineer 2
Post-sales engineer; responsible for Cisco Unified Communications solution implementation and operation.

Required Prerequisite:

  • None

Required Exams:

Recommended Training:

Note: Cisco Specialist Certifications are valid for two years. To recertify, take and pass the current version of the required exam(s) or pass a current CCIE or CCDE written exam before the expiration of your certification.
  • Current Authorized Business Edition Program Partners
    The investment for a partner to 'maintain' or 'update' their existing lab has been ‘paused’ for partners who are preparing to recertify. This means that at the time of the partners' 'recertification', they will not be required to provide proof of compliance for their lab.
  • New Authorized Business Edition Program Partner candidates
    The lab investment will continue to be a requirement for those partner candidates who are applying for the program.

Cisco SE Verification Form


Cisco Authorized Business Edition Program Lab
Product/SKU Description Qty List Price Ext Price
Cisco Partner Bundle Offering - Cisco Unified Communications System Release Offer for Demo or Lab Systems Learn more 1 $275 $275
MCS7828I4-SS1= Unified CM BE, 7828-I4 or later appliance 1 $9,995 $9,995
WS-C3560-8PC-S Catalyst 3560 8 10/100 PoE + 1 T/SFP Standard Image 1 $1,395 $1,395
CISCO2821-SRST/K9 2821 Voice Bundle w/ PVDM2-32,FL-SRST-48,SP Serv,64F/256D 1 $5,395 $5,395
CP-7975G Cisco IP Phone 7975 (or 89XX or 99XX) 1 $705 $705
CP-7962G Cisco IP Phone 7962 (-or- 7965) 2 $470 $940
  Retail Total   $18,235 $18,705
  Review NFR options with your channel team      

Cisco Authorized Business Edition Program Application Process

Follow these steps to apply for the program:

  1. The Cisco sponsor (channel account manager or systems engineer) determines your eligibility for the program. Work with the sponsor to identify your requirement gaps and create a development plan.
  2. Apply for the program through the CSApp tool. Once logged into the tool, choose "Access Program Application." Next,  find and click on the "Specialization Application" tab. Finally, choose "Cisco Authorized Business Edition Program."
  3. Satisfy program requirements and become eligible to participate in the Cisco Commercial Partner Developement Funds.

Process for Validating Lab List

  1. Partner: Complete the lab list and submit to Cisco Sponsor (System Engineer, CAM, etc.) for approval
  2. Cisco Sponsor:
      a. Review the lab list and verify with the partner
      b. Any questions on equivalents or substitutes should be validated through a Cisco SME in the field
      c. Once validated, the Cisco sponsor uploads the list into the CSApp tool (Below)

Cisco Sponsor Instructions for Uploading Unified Communications Lab List

  1. Go to the Certification/Specialization Application
  2. Search for company
      a. If you cannot locate the company, make sure you are assigned to the partner in the Channels Territory tool
  3. Click on ´Administrative Tasks´ tab
  4. Click on ´Upload Documents´