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Specialized Partner - Policies
ResourcesThe Cisco Advanced Specialization Discount program rewards partners for achieving the advanced specialization in WirelessLAN, Unified Communications, and Security. Eligible partners receive a Gold Certification equivalent discount on specific products that fall within these technologies. The goal is to acknowledge your investment in gaining the necessary expertise in selling, designing, installing, and supporting integrated advanced technology solutions, resulting in a better customer experience. The discount is immediately available to partners with a direct purchasing agreement with Cisco. Partners purchasing through an authorized Cisco Distributor should understand the Distributor will receive the advanced specialization discount for sales to eligible partners and resellers. Direct One-Tier Channel Partners Discount FrameworkThe Advanced Specialization discount recognizes partners that have achieved advanced specializations in WirelessLAN, Unified Communications, and Security.
Note: Does not apply to the Advanced Routing and Switching Specialization. Qualification & OrderingTo qualify for the Advanced Specialization discounts, partners must have a valid Advanced Specialization (Advanced Unified Communications, Advanced Security and/or Advanced WirelessLAN) in the country where the end user is located. To receive the advanced specialization discount on selected products, a company must follow the instructions below:
Compliance RequirementIt is essential for the participating partner to add the "ASP" code at time of ordering in order to receive the available discount. Orders without the "ASP" code in the order processing notes field will not receive the discount. Partners are required to maintain a valid Cisco Advanced Specialization in order to be eligible for the discount on selected products including Advanced WirelessLAN, Advanced Unified Communications and/or Advanced Security. DocumentsLearn more about the qualification criteria, the discount model, the policy exceptions, and the new ordering procedure. Indirect Channel PartnersContact your local distributor within your region for details on the Advanced Specialization discount policy and sales process. (availability varies by geographic region). Partners purchasing through an authorized Cisco Distributor should understand the Distributor will receive the advanced specialization discount for sales to eligible partners and resellers. The Distributor will then claim the difference in discount with Cisco. SupportIf you have questions, please open a case with Partner Relationship Team. A multiple Master Specialization requirements policy has been established for partners wishing to pursue more than one master specialization. Given that some of the requirements are redundant on some level for multiple master specializations, the Multiple Cisco Master Specialization requirements policy is available.
Cisco Partner Specializations are valid for one year and must be renewed on an annual basis. Without timely renewal, specializations expire or become inactive. Renewal DatesSpecializations expire annually and must be renewed on the anniversary of the specialization issue date. Partners must complete the renewal process annually by the anniversary of the issue date to assure they are still in compliance with all Specialization requirements. Partners may begin the renewal process no sooner than 90 days prior to anniversary of issue date. In all cases, it is the partner's responsibility to track the expiration date(s) of their respective specializations. Cisco may notify partners, via e-mail 90 days prior to renewal date, that they are required to complete the renewal process by the specified date. At the time of the specialization anniversary, partners who are not in compliance with all requirements of a specialization will lose the specialization. ProcessTo renew a specialization, a company must comply with the following:
* In limited cases where rapid changes in technology demand, Cisco reserves the right to require partners to complete the requirements of revised specializations prior to renewal dates. Non ComplianceNon-compliance will result in removal of any references on the Partner Locator for the Partner related to that Specialization and ineligibility of any benefits specific to a specialization. Once ineligible, the partner must repeat the entire process of fulfilling requirements to regain a specialization, and re-apply for that Specialization. Specialization RetirementCisco reserves the right to retire specializations. When a new specialization is announced to replace another specialization within the same technology focus, partners will maintain the "old" specialization for the period up to their next renewal date. Partners with "retired" specializations must achieve all requirements of new specialization within 90 days prior to the renewal date and reapply under the new requirements, provided they choose to continue maintaining the specialization in the technology area of their retired specialization. If the announcement for a new specialization is within 90 days of partner renewal date, partner is granted 90 days from announcement date to achieve all requirements of the new specialization and re-apply. In order to make it easier for partners to fill specialization roles, and consequently obtain specializations and certification, Cisco has expanded its role sharing guidelines. Partners have greater flexibility to determine how they wish to utilize individuals already on staff to fill roles across multiple specializations, based on their unique business model. Role sharing allows a single individual to fulfill similar roles across 2 or more specializations, with limitations specific to each specialization. Details can be found on the requirements page for each specialization. Participation in the Cisco Specialization program is limited to distributors as well as resellers who provide face-to-face selling and installation services. Direct competitors of Cisco will not be granted Cisco Partnership status (Resale, Managed Services, or Outsourcing) pursuant to the Worldwide Channel Partner Program. Direct competitors may participate only as Cisco Registered Partners. Any entity that is owned or controlled by one of these competitors may not participate as a Cisco Partner in the Resale, Managed Services, or Outsourcing Programs. Ownership or control is defined as 51% or more. As part of Cisco's revamp of its Specialization program, distributors are now eligible to complete the course and exam work necessary to become specialized in any technologies, services or solution programs offered by Cisco. In return for successfully completing a specialization track, the distributor will receive the following:
Be advised that while the Specialization Program is also part of the Cisco Certification Program, distributors are ineligible for participating in any aspects of the Certification Program. In addition, successfully completing certain Specializations grant partners the ability to purchase and resell some restricted products; distributors will be required to obtain special Cisco approval to access any Specialized-restricted products, even when the distributor has successfully met requirements for the specific Specialization. Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received. Please allow 7-10 business days for processing. Notification of Specialized status will be delivered via e-mail when a complete application has been processed. When an incomplete application is received, the partner and the associated CAM will be notified via e-mail within 7-10 days. This notification will identify items missing from the originally submitted application. Thereafter, the partner must submit a new application with all fields completed. This new application will be processed as are all complete applications, in the order in which they are received. If you have any questions about the specialization program and this policy, please contact Partner Relationship Team. To ensure VoWLAN success requires due diligence in selling, delivering, and supporting wireless products and solutions. The most significant factors contributing to VoWLAN success are in the planning phase of a customer deployment: performing proper wireless network verification, site survey assessment, and wireless network design before deployment. Risk mitigation includes taking steps to prepare for unplanned expenses and customer-affecting difficulties; this critical process helps you deliver high-quality VoWLAN performance and customer satisfaction. Effective immediately, Cisco has modified its policy and requirements for channel partners selling and deploying VoWLAN solutions. These changes will remain in place until further notice.
While partners selling Cisco VoWLAN endpoints must be Advanced UC, Express UC, or SMB Specialized it is highly recommended to also hold the Advanced WLAN specialization. Advanced WLAN specialized partners who would like to sell Cisco VoWLAN endpoints are encouraged to either work with UC specialized partners or obtain one of the UC specializations. Also available is a 2-Day VoWLAN course that focuses on building skills in design, deployment, implementation and operation, including the Cisco wireless IP phone 7920, Dual Mode with the Nokia E-Series, as well as end-to-end configuration utilizing the Cisco Unified Wireless Network. The Instructor-led course is titled: Voice Over Wireless LAN (VoWLAN) 1.0 (Course Code: TRN-VoWLAN) and can be found through the Partner Education Connection. For more information about this notification, consult your Channel Account Manager. Sales Deployment |
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Advanced Specialization Discount Program Q & A