Announcement date: November 2, 2004
Last day to apply for or Renew Specialization Applications: January 31, 2005
Retirement Date: January 31, 2006

Cisco announces the retirement of seven WW Channels specializations. This will reduce the number of available specializations from 18 to 11. On January 31, 2006 the following specializations will be retired:

• Cable
• Content Networking
• Network Management
• Public Access
• IPT Services
• Universal Dial Access
• VPN Security Services

Partners are being provided up to 14 months to transition to another specialization under the following time lines:

• Partners holding any of the specializations listed above that expire on or before January 31, 2005 will need to renew their Specialization application online at www.cisco.com/go/csapp. Applications will not be accepted on or after February 1, 2005. Partners who meet the requirements and successfully achieve the specialization prior to the January 31, 2005 deadline will retain the specialization and points toward Channel Partner Certification until January 31, 2006, when the specializations noted above retire.
• Partners who wish to apply for a new specialization will need to qualify, complete, and submit the Specialization application online by January 31, 2005. Applications will not be accepted on or after February 1, 2005. Partners who successfully achieve the specialization prior to the January 31, 2005 application deadline will keep the specialization and points toward Channel Partner certification until January 31, 2006, when the specializations above retire.
• Partners holding any of the specializations above whose renewal date is on or after February 1, 2005 and meet the current specialization requirements will automatically be extended until January 31, 2006, when the specializations above retire.

You can obtain additional information about Cisco specializations by clicking here

Cisco Specialization Team