Enhancement of Cisco's Cloud Channel Program

Cisco Systems Inc. is enhancing its cloud channel program with the aim of helping solution providers capitalize. Cisco is looking at two sides of the cloud computing market: public cloud services that partners offer to end user customers and service provider and on-premises private clouds to which solution providers sell hardware. When these two cloud models are combined, Cisco believes that it will present a $25 billion market opportunity.

Support and resources are offered to qualified solution providers by Cloud Builder Specialization to differentiate themselves to the sales of Cisco. Through hardware sales, it is suggested that these solution providers will excel in building and supporting what is traditionally private cloud infrastructure. By offering more support in developing and certifying systems, sales and marketing support to these partners, Cisco aims to widen the margins and rebates through the VIP program.

Recently there has been a growing number of cloud services directories sponsored by vendors, and the Cisco Cloud Marketplace is the latest addition to this list. Within this model, the Cisco domain allows qualified cloud partners a private page which allows them to display their certifications and capabilities to end-user customers, with reference to multiple vendor technologies.

It should be noted that other vendors have offered similar programs for some time, and Cisco's new initiative is not especially striking. However, Cisco is paying attention to both sides of the cloud coin allowing solution providers to address both hardware and service sales with their enhanced programs.

Solution providers are now able to showcase their qualifications and capacities with the Master Builder specialization, and this will also aide Cisco sales. Salespeople will find it easier to identify partners who can fulfill all or part of the deal with Cisco's data center and service provider infrastructure.

This new domain will draw more visitors to Cisco than any individual solution provider website, and in all likelihood, the chances of getting exposure is much higher. End users no longer want to sift through voluminous listings, and marketplaces are growing in popularity because there is a growing demand for focused outlets with certified applications and services.

In the cloud services program, Cisco already has 130 certified partners, and is continually seeking to expand participation. More solution providers are expected to be drawn into the expanding cloud computing opportunity by the new Master Builder, Cloud Builder and associated benefits. (CY) Link