This guide provides detailed information about how to use the Partner Registration tool. It is designed to be both a reference resource and an instructional guide. This guide includes an overview of general processes, instructions for how to register your company as a Cisco® Channel Partner, and detailed information about submitting an application.
Cisco Partner Registration gives channel partners a convenient way to register as a Cisco Registered Partner. Becoming a Cisco Registered Partner is the first step on your path to reaping the rewards offered by the Cisco Channel Partner Program. Your status as a Cisco Registered Partner establishes your relationship with Cisco and gives you access to the tools and training that you need to become a Cisco Certified or a Cisco Specialized Partner. Both resellers and non-resellers who provide professional services related to Cisco products are eligible to participate in this program.
In order to become a Cisco Registered Partner, companies must first apply using the Partner Registration tool. As part of the registration process, companies that do not have a direct purchasing relationship with Cisco will be required to review and accept the terms and conditions of the Indirect Channel Partner Agreement (ICPA). Only one person from your company can accept the agreement and submit an application.
The Partner Registration application process is as follows:
Apply for a Cisco.com user ID (only if you do not already have one)
Provide or verify company and contact information
Review and accept the terms of the Indirect Channel Partner Agreement (ICPA)
Submit the application
Cisco will review your submitted application within 15 business days. If approved, your company will receive registered partner status, be granted partner-level access to Cisco.com, and be eligible to participate in the Channel Partner Program. Status as a registered partner is valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually.
Direct competitors of Cisco Systems will not be granted Cisco Specialized Partner or Cisco Certified Partner status pursuant to the Worldwide Channel Partner Program. Direct competitors may participate as Cisco Registered Partners. Any entity that is owned or controlled by one of these competitors may not participate as a Cisco Specialized Partner or Cisco Certified Partner. Ownership or control is defined as 51% or more.
The Partner Registration tool is a Web-based application. To connect to the tool, you need to have the appropriate computer hardware, software, and network access and obtain the proper login requirements.
Hardware Requirements
166-MHz or faster processor 128-MB RAM TCP/IP protocol installed and configured Monitor and display adapter capable of 256 colors at 800 x 600 resolution
Software Requirements
Windows 98, 2000, NT, or XP HTML browser, equivalent to or exceeding Internet Explorer 6.0 or Netscape 7.0
Network Requirements
56K modem connection or T1 LAN connection
Logging In
You must have a valid Cisco.com user ID and password to log in to the Partner Registration tool and register your company as a Cisco Channel Partner. To access Cisco.com, go to Cisco.com Registration.
Step 1: Starting the Partner Registration Application Process
Cisco Partner Registration gives channel partners an easy and convenient way to apply for Cisco Registered Partner status. Registering your company establishes your relationship with Cisco and gives you access to the tools and training you need to become a Cisco Certified Partner or a Cisco Specialized Partner. The Partner Registration home page provides instructions on how to start your registration application.
Launching the Partner Registration Tool
If you have a Cisco.com user ID, click on the Log in to Partner Registration hyperlink to begin the application process.
If you are a new user, click on the Register hyperlink to apply for a Cisco.com user ID.
If you forgot your user password, click on the Password? hyperlink.
Training and Tutorials
User Guide: Provides detailed instructions about how to use the Partner Registration tool and register your company as a Cisco Registered Partner.
Quick Reference Guide: Provides high-level instructions on how to use the Partner Registration tool.
Q&A: Lists frequently asked questions and answers to help navigate through the registration process.
Partner Helpline: Contact Partner Helpline for questions or concerns about the tool or process.
Indirect Channel Partner Agreement (ICPA): This is the legal agreement for U.S. partners that outlines the terms and conditions that your company must accept in order to become a Cisco Registered Partner. Agreements vary by country.
Feedback
Survey: Your feedback is extremely valuable and affects Partner Registration as the tools continue to evolve with additional features and functionality.
The next step is to provide your company.s business model by selecting .yes. or .no. to the questions displayed. Please respond to the question that best describes your company.s business model and provide the e-mail address of your primary Cisco contact. If your company does not fit one of the business model types, you may not be eligible to apply to the Cisco Channel Partner Program. You will be redirected to visit other Cisco partner programs that may better support your business needs.
This section describes how to search for your company in the Cisco Channel Partner database for new and current channel partners.
New Company Search:
Your company may already be registered in our Channel Partner database. To verify, please search by partner name and country, or by company address. If your search is not successful after several attempts, it is likely that your company has not been registered with the Cisco Channel Partner Program and you will be directed to create a new company demographic profile (refer to Step 4).
To search for a company
Select .Search on Partner Name and Country. or select .Search on Address..
If you select Option 1, select the country in which your company resides, enter your company.s name and click on .Next. when you are done.
If you select Option 2, enter your company information in the data fields provided.
Click on .Next. after you provide your company information.
Your search criteria will either display companies that closely match the information you provided or will ask you to perform another search.
Company Found after Search
If a match is found, the system will display a list of companies that closely match the information you provided in your search criteria.
To find your company
Scan the list of companies to verify that your company has a current record in our database.
Click on the radio button next to your company.
Select "Select my Company" from the "Actions" drop-down menu.
Click on "Submit".
If your company is already registered, you will need to Associate to Your Company through the Partner Self Service tool.
Company Not Found After Search
If no matches are produced, you will receive the following message confirming that no matches were found (Figure 6).
To search for a company not found
Try alternate searches. If a search on an abbreviation does not produce any results, try your search with the expanded company name. For example, if you search for HP and do not find the company, try searching for Hewlett-Packard Inc. instead.
Select the "Back" button to perform another search.
If you are still unable to find your company, click on "Continue". This will allow you to create a new company demographic profile.
Current Company Search
After responding "yes" to one of the business model questions, the system will automatically display your contact and company information if your company is located in the Cisco Channel Partner database. Verify that all the displayed data is correct before submitting your application. Data errors may delay the approval of your application.
This section describes the contact and company information required to create a company profile.
The contact and business information sections must be completed to process your application. E-mail confirmations will be sent to the e-mail address provided. Verify that all the displayed data is correct before submitting your application. Data errors may delay the approval of your application. To complete your profile, follow these steps:
Entering Your Contact Information
Enter your company e-mail address (yahoo.com e-mail addresses are subject to denial)
Enter a phone number where you can be reached (please enter your number in one of the following formats, 999-999-999 or 9-999-999-999)
Enter your job title
Select a primary language from the drop-down menu
Entering Your Business Information
Enter your company.s legal name
Enter your official company location address (please do not provide a post office box address)
Enter the city where your company resides
Select a country in the drop-down menu
Select a state in the drop-down menu
Enter the postal code where your company resides (based on country)
Entering Other Information About Your Company
This information will be displayed on the Partner Locator (based on theatre policy). End customers use the Partner Locator to locate Cisco partners in their geographic area.
Enter your company's Web address
Enter additional information about your company (for example, a short description of products or services that you offer)
Enter a Dun and Bradstreet number if applicable. You can request a DUNS number by clicking the hyperlink in the application.
Considering Cisco Channel Communications
Occasionally, Cisco communicates information about products, programs, policies, services, or support that may be relevant to your company. This may include new product information, program changes, special offers, or an invitation to participate in a Cisco market research project.
Select "yes" if you wish to subscribe to Cisco Channel Communications
Select "no" if you do not wish to subscribe to Cisco Channel Communications
After verifying and completing the above information, click "Next" to continue. If your company is already in the Cisco Channel Partner database, the tool will perform another search to confirm that your company already exists in the Cisco Channel Partner database. If a match is found, this information will be presented to you for confirmation (Figure 9).
Step 5: Completing the Diversity Questionnaire (for U.S. partners only)
This section provides questions related to Cisco´s diversity initiative. For reporting purposes, please take a moment to fill out the following information that relates to your company.
Note: None of the information provided will be used in any way to approve or deny your application. This information is requested for companies based in the United States only and will not appear for companies not located in the United States.
Step 6: Accepting the Indirect Channel Partner Agreement
This section describes the terms and conditions of the Indirect Channel Partner Agreement (ICPA). To complete your registration, your company must accept the ICPA. Please review the agreement carefully and click on "I Accept" if you agree to these terms and conditions on behalf of your company. You will be automatically assigned as the partner administrator for your company if your application is approved.
To accept the Indirect Channel Partner Agreement
Read the terms and conditions carefully.
Download the legal agreement in your preferred language (optional).
Enter your full name in the text box provided. This is a required field.
Click "I Accept" to accept the terms and conditions of the legal agreement.
After acceptance an acknowledgement message will appear stating that your application has been submitted and will be reviewed within 15 business days from date submitted (Figure 12).
If you click "I Do Not Accept", an acknowledgement message will appear stating that your application will not be accepted until you accept the terms and conditions of the ICPA (Figure 13).
After you complete the registration application and accept the terms and conditions of the Indirect Channel Partner Agreement, you will receive an e-mail confirming that Cisco has received your company's application.
Cisco will review your company´s application within 15 business days of your submission date. Once your application is processed, Cisco will send you an e-mail message notifying you that your company has either been approved or denied as a Cisco Registered Partner. Click on "Track Partner Registration Application" on the Partner Registration home page to review your application status.
If your company is approved, your application status will be marked .Approved. and a welcome e-mail will be sent to you outlining the Cisco Registered Partner benefits and your responsibility as Partner Administrator for your company (Figure 15).
Status as a Cisco Registered Partner is valid for 12 months. Every year, all partner administrators in your company will receive an e-mail notification 90 days before your company.s anniversary date reminding them to renew their registered partner status. You will not be able to renew before the 90-day time period. Anyone associated with your company can renew the application; the original applicant does not need to manage the renewal process.
In order to renew your partner status, log on to the Partner Registration Tool, verify or update your personal and company information, and accept the most current version of the Indirect Channel Partner Agreement (ICPA) by your anniversary date. Please be aware that if you do not renew your Registered Partner status before your anniversary date or after the 10-day grace period:
Your status as a Cisco Registered Partner will be terminated
All associated employees will lose their partner-level access to Cisco.com and the Partner Education Connection
Your company will no longer be eligible to participate in the Cisco Channel Partner Program
You will need to apply to become a new Cisco Registered Partner and must accept the ICPA again.
Partner Helpline provides Cisco channel partners with a starting point to find a wealth of information applicable to their specific needs. If you have questions or concerns about the Partner Registration tool or process, click on Partner Helpline (Figure 17). Partner Helpline allows you to search for frequently asked questions, open a support case, and track your support history. If you are not able to find your question in our knowledge database, you may open a support case. A partner support representative will provide a timely response to your inquiry.
