The industry-leading Cisco Channel Partner Program enables partners to drive growth and differentiate their business by extending their capabilities to meet rising customer expectations. It is a value-based program that rewards partners for delivering business solutions based on Cisco technologies to our joint customers.

1. Specialization requirements: Sales, technical, and lifecycle services training and exams:

• Gold: All four of the following specializations: Advanced Routing and Switching, Advanced Security, Advanced Unified Communications, and Advanced Wireless LAN
• Silver: One of the following options:
  Two of the following specializations: Advanced Routing and Switching, Advanced Security, Advanced Unified Communications, or Advanced Wireless LAN
  Express Unified Communications Specialization and one of the following specializations: Advanced Routing and Switching, Advanced Security, or Advanced Wireless LAN
• Premier: Express Foundation Specialization
• Select: SMB Specialization

2. Number of individuals that hold certifications:

• Gold Certification: 12
• Silver Certification: 6
• Premier Certification: 3
• Select Certification: 1  

3. Service and support capabilities as required by certification level: Services Assessment across the Cisco Lifecycle Services phases Prepare, Plan, Design, Implement, Operate, and Optimize

4. Customer satisfaction as required by certification level: Independently audited customer satisfaction surveys to ensure that Cisco Certified Partners have the capabilities and proven success to meet customer needs

Benefits
The Cisco Channel Partner Program is among the most respected in the industry and offers significant benefits, including:

• Enhanced Certification Approach--Certification level is based on specializations, which provides a clearer definition of each level and its value to customers.
• Credibility--As one of the strongest brands in the world, the Cisco name lends enormous credibility to companies that achieve Cisco Certified Partner status. Customers feel more comfortable and secure purchasing from a Cisco partner.
• Quality Standards--Cisco is the only company that hires and funds an objective third party to conduct annual audits of its silver and gold partners. These audits help ensure that only the highest quality partners are part of the program and that partner companies meet uniform standards set by Cisco.
• Partner Locator--This valuable online tool allows end customers to search globally for partners who are qualified for specific sales situations. The Partner Locator also features information about partner qualifications, certifications, and specializations.
• Technology Learning--Partners can access the latest networking technologies through a variety of learning tools to stay at the leading edge of their respective markets.
• Best Practices--Partners can capitalize on Cisco best practices such as regular customer satisfaction surveys. Partners have access to the same tools that Cisco uses to enhance its own customer satisfaction.