Until now, Cisco’s product specialization certifications have been tied to one of the four architectures: Enterprise Networks, Data Center, Collaboration and Security. Within these four pillars, there was an advanced certification and a spend requirement for each. As a company, Cisco has realized customers’ needs are becoming more sophisticated. They are transitioning from simple hardware point sales to multi-architecture solutions that span a vendor’s entire breadth of technologies. In parallel, Cisco has stated they aim to transition from primarily a hardware-based vendor to 50 percent of net revenues comprised of software and annuities solutions by fiscal year 2025.
To meet these evolving needs, Cisco has announced a significant change in their certification portfolio with the introduction of the Solution Specializations. These are a lightweight, Black Belt-led, series of online, asynchronous modules delivered through SalesConnect. Un-proctored, they represent the easiest path to specialization badges that cover multiple product lines, including the newest software offerings. This new tier helps Cisco partners capitalize on their existing investment and expand their practice in key high growth verticals. To make things even easier, individual architecture spend requirements have been merged into one threshold that spans all technologies, and there is no longer a need for advanced certifications. TD SYNNEX’s CX organization is leading the charge with analytics and on-boarding strategies to help Cisco partners make the most out of this new program.
The Solution Specializations track has six paths, the first three being Hybrid Cloud: Compute, Networking and Software. These will ultimately be the replacement for the Advanced Data Center Specialization when it is unseated in 2024. The next three are FSO (Full Stack Observability), Hybrid Work, and SASE (Secure Access Service Edge). These are largely concentrated within software and management annuities and the hardware that compliments them. Within these tracks, Cisco is targeting high growth areas while pinpointing solutions that meet customers’ evolving needs.
The Solution Specializations align with key industry solutions that many Cisco partners already deliver, allowing them to showcase their expertise and get recognized for their experience. Partners can optimize their investment and unlock more pathways to achieve gold status than ever. If the retiring of the Advanced Data Center Specialization is any indicator of what’s to come, we can expect multi-architecture Solution Specializations to become the standard.
As is often the case, Cisco has aligned their VIP incentive rebate program to include the new Solutions Specializations tracks alongside the existing Architecture and Renewal rebates. There are now more options to achieve rebates than ever.
Here’s a look at some of the products included:
- Hybrid Cloud Networking
- Nexus, ACI, MDS
- Hybrid Cloud Software
- Intersight
- FSO (Full Stack Observability)
- ThousandEyes, AppDynamics, Intersight
- Hybrid Work
- WebEx Suite, Catalyst 93xx & 94xx
- SASE
- Umbrella, SD-Wan, Meraki MX, Catalyst 8k
In conclusion, Cisco’s Solution Specializations provide an excellent opportunity for Cisco partners to differentiate and strengthen their brand while also expanding their practice in high-growth verticals. With the retirement of the Advanced Data Center Specialization multi-architecture Solutions Specializations may become the standard going forward. Partner with TD SYNNEX and take advantage of the new Solution Specializations to showcase your expertise and deliver exceptional outcomes to your customers all while lowering your cost basis on Cisco’s newest technologies.
For more information, reach out to Steven.Wallace@tdsynnex.com to schedule a consultation.
