What is a Cisco Partner?

Previously, the Cisco Partner Program was a collection of 12 separate certifications that could be attained by organisations that retailed Cisco products. However, in 2020 Cisco announced their streamlined version of the program: the Cisco Channel Partner Program. 

The Cisco Channel Partner Program is a condensed 5 tier model, with each tier operating as a representation of a business’s capabilities and skills across a selection of technologies. Although there are clear tiers, the new model has a more linear structure wherein the different levels are mostly representative of an organisations ability to assist Cisco customers across a variety of geographical locations and company sizes. This means that rather than a ranking system, there is a dedicated partner level for every customer’s specific needs. 

Not just anybody can waltz in and claim a Cisco partnership. The partner program requires each organisation to achieve a series of certifications relevant to the service they provide, ensuring that they are fully equipped to support Cisco customers through every stage of software or hardware implementation. 

Select Certification 

The Select certification encompasses those who want to sell Cisco products to small and midsized businesses. The certification rewards achievements in Cisco’s Small and Midsized Business and Express Security Specializations, and highlights retailers with a knack for small and mid-sized business support.  

Premier Certification 

Cisco Premier certified entities have achieved additional certifications in Express Foundation, Express Collaboration, and Architecture Specialisations, and are rewarded for their technical competency when it comes to network security and architecture. Premier partners offer specialist advice and products for a variety of business sizes and locations and are here to help aide any network in need of a solution. 

Gold Certification 

Similar to Premier, Gold Certification provides broad expertise specifically across enterprise networks, collaboration, data centre, and IP next-generation networks. Gold partners have demonstrated incredibly high levels of customer satisfaction – and most importantly, have to offer Cisco Lifecycle Services to qualify. 

Multinational Certification 

Entities that hold Multinational Certifications are experts in selling, deploying, and supporting Cisco solutions across multiple countries within the geographical regions Cisco states. Multinational Certification further expands on the achievements attained during Premier and Gold Certification with a focus on widespread availability and service that spans different nations, allowing them to fully service customers with entities in a variety of locales. 

Global Certification 

A further expansion on Premier and Gold Certifications, with the ability to service seamless Cisco implementation and design globally. Whilst Multinational may serve a wide range of places, for example Europe or the Americas, Globally Certified Cisco partners are available to assist in all areas of network implementation regardless of geographical location. 

What level is Chulo? 

At Chulo, part of the Ampito group, we are a Cisco Premier Partner. This means we can offer specialist advice and solutions to a wide variety of business sizes and requirements and have passed relevant certifications in technical competency for network architecture, collaboration, and more! 

Premier Partners also offer increased support and wider access to the best Cisco solutions. At Chulo, this means full access to the Cisco Refresh inventory with a specialist touch to customer support and implementation. 

We’re proud to be a Cisco Premier Partner and can’t wait to help your network and business become the best they can be. Contact a Chulo specialist today for a quote, advice, recommendations, and more!