To attain the Master Unified Communications Specialization, partners must achieve the Advanced Unified Communications Specialization and meet stringent requirements to demonstrate master-level capabilities and customer success.

Requirements for Master Unified Communications Specialization cover these focus areas:

1. Selling capability
2. Technical capability

The validation process to grant partners a Master Unified Communications Specialization is comprised of two steps. In the first step the partner applies for the Master Unified Communications Specialization and uploads various credentials and documents to Cisco via a web-based tool for validation. Once the partner meets the initial qualifications by submitting all of the remote credentials Cisco will schedule an onsite audit to verify the remainder of the partner's qualifications. The second step is the onsite audit in which additional requirements are validated at the partner location by a third party auditor and Cisco.

These are minimum requirements for Master Unified Communications Specialization. Exceeding these requirements is optional and provides another way for Master Unified Communications Specialized partners to differentiate themselves.

Only electronic applications are accepted. The application is available via: http://www.cisco.com/go/csapp

Master Unified Communications Specialization
Step 1: Pre-Audit Validation These requirements will be validated remotely before the onsite audit is scheduled
Requirement	Evidence
Advanced Unified Communications Specialization	Cisco Internal System Validation
Cisco ATP: UCC Enterprise or Cisco Rich Media Communications (Enterprise)	Exception: If partner meets all Pre-audit criteria except ATP status, they will be automatically invited in to qualify for the Advanced Technology Program.
CCIE: Voice	Cisco Internal System Validation
One Project Management Certification: Project Management Professional (PMP) or Prince 2	Partner Uploads Certificate into CSApp
Customer References: Documentation to validate 5 sophisticated deployments based on specific qualifying Unified Communications criteria (see Customer Reference Checklist)	Project Overview/Executive Summary Customer Reference Account Checklist Customer acceptance document The Cisco SE uploads the Cisco SE verification form into the partner’s application.

Master Unified Communications Specialization
Step 2: Onsite Audit Verification These requirements will be validated during the onsite audit
Requirement	Evidence
Required Lab: Cisco requires evidence to verify the partner's ability to perform a sophisticated demo based on a specific list of solution criteria	Demos may be performed using any lab equipment, including a remote lab or a leased lab.
Demo: Based on provided customer scenario, develop, demonstrate, and present highly sophisticated solutions that solve customer technical, business and financial requirements. (see Demo Checklist)	Partner must provide evidence of compliance with technology specific checklist that addresses the interests of technical and business decision makers. Demos may not be performed at Cisco facilities.
Cisco Lifecycle Services Operate Phase Audit: Based on the Operate Phase of the Cisco Lifecycle Services framework, including capabilities related to processes, tools and metrics for the following practice areas: • Service Offerings • Incident Management • Problem Management • Configuration Management • Change and Release Management • Onsite Troubleshooting • Service Level Management • Security Management (see Operate Phase Checklist) Note: The Service Support and Service Delivery Master Specialization audit requirements are based on the Operate Phase of Cisco’s Lifecycle Services process. Both cover a service and support framework including capabilities related to processes, tools, and metrics. The Service Support and Service Delivery structure maps to industry-recognized terminology.	Partner must provide evidence of meeting the capabilities. Exception: Current certification to ISO 20000-1 (or BS 15000-1) and achievement of MTTN, MTTR and Onsite Troubleshooting Response Metrics.
Organizational structure to support customer-focused solution sales and service	Partner must provide evidence of organizational charts, job descriptions, training plans and training records.

Multiple Cisco Master Specialization Requirements

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.

Multiple Master Specialization Requirements (PDF - 91 KB)