After careful review of the new role requirements, and in conjunction with recent partner feedback, effective immediately, specific role requirement reductions will be implemented for the following three specializations:
Our goal in making these modifications is to ensure that
- The role requirements are suitable for our very diverse partner base
- All partners have the necessary sales, technology, and Lifecycle Services capabilities our customers demand
These reduced Role Requirements are the “minimum levels" for specialization, but we recommend resource levels at or above these minimum requirements. Partners who meet the original role requirements are already well positioned in the marketplace.
Cisco Channel Specialization Role Reduction Question & Answer
Q: What changes are being made to the Enhanced Partner Program?
A: After a detailed review of all the specialization role requirements, reductions are being made for the following three specializations:
- Express Unified Communications
- Advanced Unified Communications
- Advanced Routing and Switching
Q: When will the Specialization role reduction requirements be implemented?
A: The new role reduction requirements for Express Unified Communications, Advanced Unified Communications and Advanced Routing and Switching are effective immediately.
Q: Why did Cisco change the specialization role requirements less than a year after launching the Enhanced Partner Program?
A: While we try to minimize changes to our partner programs, occasionally strategy dictates that we make slight modifications to specializations or certifications to address dynamics in the market and/or the partner community.
Q: What is Cisco doing to protect our investment in its programs?
A: Cisco gives careful consideration to all partner program modifications, and takes input from partners around the world into account before implementing any changes. We believe the investment you make in Cisco positions you to accelerate growth, differentiate your business, and drive greater profitability.
Q: What are the specific changes?
A: The specific Specialization role requirement reductions are as follows:
- Express Unified Communications – Reduced from three unique roles to two.
The current 3 unique roles (AM, SE and FE) have been reduced to 2 by combining the SE and FE into one engineering role
- Advanced Unified Communications - Reduced from five unique roles to three.
The current 5 unique roles (2 AMs, SE, FE and PM) have been reduced to 3 by eliminating the second AM and the Project Manager.
- Advanced Routing and Switching - Reduced from four unique roles to three.
The current 4 unique roles (AM, SE, and 2 FEs) have been reduced to 3 by removing the FE2 role, thus eliminating the CCIE requirement for that role.
Q: What impact do these changes have on the individual certification requirements and role sharing rules?
A: All roles in base specializations must still be satisfied by unique individuals. The certification requirements are driven by specialization role requirements, except for the CCIE® requirements, which remain the same. For flexibility, some sharing is allowed for the Express Foundation Specialization. Individuals used to satisfy roles in Express Foundation can also fill a single role in one other base specialization. The current 2x2 role sharing rules will continue to apply for optional specializations.
Q: What impact do these changes have on the VIP program?
A: These specialization changes do not impact the VIP program rules.
Q: How will these changes benefit Cisco's Partner community?
A: Our goal in making these modifications is to ensure the role requirements are suitable for Cisco’s very diverse partner base while at the same time ensuring all partners have the necessary sales, technology, and Lifecycle Services capabilities our joint customers demand.