Cisco launches special solution bundles for SMBs

DQC News Bureau

Bangalore: Cisco has made available a suite of new solution bundles for the
Cisco Smart Business Communications System specifically designed for the Asia
Pacific market. Targeted at resellers in reaching out to SMBs, Cisco also
announced the addition of two partner profitability incentives: Opportunity
Incentive Program (OIP) and Partner Development Fund (PDF). In addition, Cisco
announced that its SMB channel initiative, Select Certification, has grown to
more than 500 channel partners across the region.

Cisco also announced a new interactive environment called Cisco Partner
Space. The collaborative platform uses Web 2.0 technology to facilitate dynamic
interaction between customers and partners. This is an environment for companies
of all sizes, particularly SMBs, to develop tighter relationships with their
partners.

“The SMB market is Cisco's fastest-growing segment around the world, and
we are seeing that here in Asia Pacific as well,” said Stuart Hendry, Cisco's
director for commercial operations in Asia Pacific. “One of the key
technologies that Cisco feels will benefit SMBs is unified communications, which
is why we are introducing a new suite of bundles for the Cisco Smart Business
Communications System.”

Cisco has introduced five special bundles with special pricing for the Smart
Business Communications System for SMBs in Asia Pacific. They include partner
enablement under which Cisco is building and enabling a new class of SMB channel
partners with training, tools and programs. Cisco is introducing two partner
profitability programs to help its regional SMB Specialized Partners. The SMB
Opportunity Incentive Program (OIP) rewards partners who secure incremental
business. The Partner Development Fund (PDF), available in Asia Pacific from
Feb. 15, provides Cisco channel partners with access to market development funds
to build their SMB practices.

These programs supplement the Cisco Select Certification, a recent addition
to the industry-leading Cisco Channel Partner Program. Channel partners qualify
for the Select Certification by meeting training and exam requirements, which
are designed to equip them with the sales and technical skills needed to deliver
integrated network solutions to the SMB market.

In addition to these programs, Cisco has also unveiled Cisco Partner Space, a
virtual collaborative environment that enables connections and facilitates
collaboration between customers and partners, among partners, and between Cisco
and partners. The innovative concept starts with a booth, or Partner Space, that
a partner builds to promote its company and collaborate with visitors. This
booth is accessible from Partner Locator on Cisco's Website.