Cisco Simplifies Software and Services Buying Program at Partner Summit 2021

Rhea-AI Summary

At Cisco's Partner Summit 2021, the company announced a new Enterprise Agreement (EA) to streamline software purchasing for partners and customers. This initiative is aimed at enhancing digital transformation and boosting software revenue. The EA simplifies access across five portfolios, reduces minimum spend requirements, and allows organizations to manage licenses more efficiently. Additionally, Cisco Capital financing options are introduced to mitigate credit risks. The EA is set to be available through selected partners with broader access planned for early 2022.

Positive

• Launch of new Enterprise Agreement aimed at simplifying software and services purchasing.
• Reduces minimum spend threshold, enabling easier access for customers.
• Offers innovative financial flexibility with extended payment options.

Negative

• None.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

News Summary

• New Enterprise Agreement (EA) aims to accelerate customers digital transformation and fuel software revenue growth with partners
• Easier for partners to sell and transact Cisco offers and solutions such as Hybrid Work, Full-stack Observability (FSO) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
• Cisco Capital financing mitigates credit risk and protects the balance sheets of customers and partners

Cisco Partner Summit 2021 – At their 26^th annual Partner Summit conference, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) announced today a new Enterprise Agreement (EA) to make it easier for partners and customers to buy, sell, and manage Cisco software and services. The single contract increases access to Cisco's portfolio and solutions, offering predictable costs, more choice, and greater flexibility for organizations looking to accelerate their digital transformation.

The new Cisco EA is a cornerstone of Cisco's ongoing transformation and commitment to supporting partner profitability.

"Cisco's new Enterprise Agreement gives our customers and partners a powerful, simple, and extremely flexible way to buy and consume our great software products," said Gerri Elliott, EVP, Chief Customer and Partner Officer, speaking at Cisco Partner Summit 2021. "Our incredible partner ecosystem has already built a multi-billion dollar software business but we're clearly just getting started. Innovations like the ability to shift investments across the portfolio will help us better serve our customers, push further into our business transformation, and drive higher profitability for our partners."

Less admin. More results.

The new Cisco Enterprise Agreement is a cornerstone of Cisco's ongoing transformation and commitment to supporting partner profitability, as well as streamlining the customer experience. Since their introduction more than 10,000 customers have purchased software & services via the Cisco Enterprise Agreement. The new Cisco EA will bring three key benefits to customers and partners:

Simplified Cross-Portfolio Access

As organizations adopt more innovative technologies, they face the challenge of managing various licensing agreements. Cisco's new EA simplifies the experience with:

• One set of terms and conditions across  five portfolios (Applications Infrastructure, Networking Infrastructure, Collaboration, Security, and Services).
• A lower minimum spend threshold to make it easier for customers to access EA benefits.
• Multiple partners in a single agreement with customers able to see all their licenses.

More financial flexibility

Organizations facing increasingly complex IT environments are looking for new software and services that offer predictable costs. With the new Cisco Enterprise Agreement:

• Cisco Networking customers can take advantage of Value Shift – a feature that allows them to shift committed spend across Cisco DNA software and Meraki software.
• Organizations can quickly activate licenses and deploy what is needed, when it is needed, and with the True Forward feature, future billing cycles are adjusted to align with new usage levels. 
• Cisco Enterprise Agreement Pay, a new offer from Cisco Capital, provides extended payments at no cost to customers for select EAs and a-la-carte software. For Cisco partners, the complementary financing option mitigates credit and currency risk, features billing and collecting through Cisco Capital, and partners are paid upon the start of a customer's contract.

Increased business agility

Managing and updating software has traditionally been complex and time-consuming for large organizations.  The new Cisco Enterprise Agreement:

• Increases access to innovative technology without an enterprise-wide commitment.
• Streamlines license procurement, offering simple administration with one place to view, manage, and renew licenses.

"Cisco's new Enterprise Agreement enables customers and partners to more efficiently review their contracts, allowing them to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time running their businesses," said Leslie Rosenberg, VP, Network Life Cycle and Infrastructure at IDC. "Where customers and partners previously had to manage multiple EAs, they will now have one purchase agreement spanning Cisco's portfolios."

The new Cisco EA is currently available through select partners with plans to expand partner availability in early 2022.  The current Enterprise Agreement programs will remain available to customers and partners while the transition to the new Cisco EA takes place during the first half of 2022.

Additional resources

• Watch the video summary of the new Enterprise Agreement
• Learn more about Cisco Capital

About Cisco 

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet. Cisco inspires new possibilities by reimagining your applications, securing your enterprise, transforming your infrastructure, and empowering your teams for a global and inclusive future. Discover more on The Network and follow us on Twitter at @Cisco.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cisco-simplifies-software-and-services-buying-program-at-partner-summit-2021-301419837.html

SOURCE Cisco Systems, Inc.

FAQ

What is the new Enterprise Agreement announced by Cisco?

The new Enterprise Agreement simplifies software purchasing and management for partners and customers, enhancing access and financial flexibility.

When will the new Enterprise Agreement be available?

The new Cisco Enterprise Agreement is currently available through select partners and will expand availability in early 2022.

How does the new Cisco EA benefit partners and customers?

It provides predictable costs, simplified cross-portfolio access, and financial flexibility, allowing organizations to better manage their software licenses.

What are the main features of Cisco's new Enterprise Agreement?

Key features include one set of terms across five portfolios, lower minimum spend, and multiple partners in a single agreement for streamlined management.