Cisco Unveils New Cisco 360 Partner Program to Accelerate Value and Innovation, Launching in 2026
Cisco has announced its most significant partner program evolution in nearly 30 years with the new Cisco 360 Partner Program, launching in February 2026. The program aims to transform how Cisco and partners create value for customers, focusing on modernizing infrastructure, AI workloads, and security. Key features include an $80 million investment in partner training ($60M for skill development and certification, $20M for quarterly training), simplified partner designations (Cisco Partner and Cisco Preferred Partner), and a new AI-Ready Infrastructure Solution Specialization. The program introduces a 15-month transition period and measures partner value based on customer outcomes rather than transactions.
Cisco ha annunciato la sua evoluzione più significativa del programma partner in quasi 30 anni con il nuovo Programma Partner Cisco 360, che sarà lanciato a febbraio 2026. Il programma ha lo scopo di trasformare il modo in cui Cisco e i partner creano valore per i clienti, concentrandosi sulla modernizzazione delle infrastrutture, sui carichi di lavoro di intelligenza artificiale e sulla sicurezza. Tra le caratteristiche principali ci sono un investimento di 80 milioni di dollari nella formazione dei partner (60 milioni per lo sviluppo delle competenze e certificazioni, 20 milioni per formazione trimestrale), designazioni semplificate per i partner (Partner Cisco e Partner Preferito Cisco) e una nuova specializzazione in Soluzioni di Infrastruttura Pronta per l'IA. Il programma introduce un periodo di transizione di 15 mesi e misura il valore dei partner basandosi sui risultati dei clienti piuttosto che sulle transazioni.
Cisco ha anunciado la evolución más significativa de su programa de socios en casi 30 años con el nuevo Programa Cisco 360 para Socios, que se lanzará en febrero de 2026. El programa tiene como objetivo transformar la forma en que Cisco y sus socios crean valor para los clientes, centrándose en la modernización de infraestructuras, cargas de trabajo de IA y seguridad. Las características clave incluyen una inversión de 80 millones de dólares en la formación de socios (60 millones para el desarrollo de competencias y certificaciones, 20 millones para formación trimestral), designaciones de socios simplificadas (Socio Cisco y Socio Preferido Cisco), y una nueva especialización en Soluciones de Infraestructura Preparadas para IA. El programa introduce un período de transición de 15 meses y mide el valor del socio según los resultados de los clientes en lugar de las transacciones.
시스코는 거의 30년 만에 가장 중요한 파트너 프로그램 변화를 발표하였으며, 새로운 시스코 360 파트너 프로그램이 2026년 2월에 출시됩니다. 이 프로그램은 시스코와 파트너가 어떻게 고객을 위해 가치를 창출하는지를 변화시키고, 인프라 현대화, AI 작업량 및 보안에 중점을 둡니다. 주요 특징으로는 파트너 교육에 대한 8천만 달러 투자 (6천만 달러는 기술 개발 및 인증, 2천만 달러는 분기별 교육), 간소화된 파트너 지정 (시스코 파트너 및 시스코 우선 파트너), 그리고 AI 준비 인프라 솔루션 전문화가 있습니다. 이 프로그램은 15개월 전환 기간을 도입하며, 파트너 가치를 거래가 아닌 고객 결과를 기반으로 측정합니다.
Cisco a annoncé l'évolution la plus significative de son programme partenaire depuis près de 30 ans avec le nouveau Programme Partenaire Cisco 360, qui sera lancé en février 2026. Ce programme vise à transformer la manière dont Cisco et ses partenaires créent de la valeur pour les clients, en se concentrant sur la modernisation des infrastructures, des charges de travail en IA et la sécurité. Les principales caractéristiques incluent un investissement de 80 millions de dollars dans la formation des partenaires (60 millions pour le développement des compétences et la certification, 20 millions pour la formation trimestrielle), des désignations de partenaires simplifiées (Partenaire Cisco et Partenaire Préféré Cisco) et une nouvelle spécialisation en Solutions d'Infrastructure Prête pour l'IA. Le programme introduit une période de transition de 15 mois et évalue la valeur des partenaires en fonction des résultats clients plutôt que des transactions.
Cisco hat die bedeutendste Evolution seines Partnerprogramms seit fast 30 Jahren mit dem neuen Cisco 360 Partnerprogramm angekündigt, das im Februar 2026 gestartet wird. Das Programm soll transformieren, wie Cisco und Partner Werte für Kunden schaffen, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf der Modernisierung von Infrastrukturen, KI-Workloads und Sicherheit liegt. Zu den wichtigsten Merkmalen zählt eine Investition von 80 Millionen Dollar in die Partnerqualifizierung (60 Millionen für die Kompetenzentwicklung und Zertifizierungen, 20 Millionen für vierteljährliche Schulungen), vereinfachte Partnerbezeichnungen (Cisco Partner und Cisco Bevorzugter Partner) und eine neue Spezialisierung für KI-Bereitstellungslösungen. Das Programm führt eine Übergangsphase von 15 Monaten ein und bewertet den Wert der Partner auf Grundlage der Kundenergebnisse anstelle von Transaktionen.
- $80 million investment in partner training and development
- Introduction of AI-Ready Infrastructure Solution Specialization
- Simplified partner designation structure streamlining the partnership process
- 15-month transition period could create temporary operational uncertainties
- Potential disruption to existing partner relationships during program restructuring
Insights
The new Cisco 360 Partner Program represents a strategic shift in Cisco's partner ecosystem but lacks immediate financial impact. While the
The transition to simplified partner designations and new specializations, especially in AI infrastructure, positions Cisco to better compete in emerging technologies. However, the extended 15-month transition period suggests careful implementation rather than immediate market impact. For investors, this represents long-term strategic positioning rather than near-term financial catalysts.
Will transform how Cisco and its Partners create, deliver, and capture value in the age of AI.
- Cisco 360 Partner Program: connects partners' success to how they meet customers' needs and ambitions as they modernize their infrastructure, power AI workloads anywhere, and keep their organizations secure, resilient, and high-performing.
- Simplified, elevated, comprehensive: the new program encourages collaboration across the partner ecosystem and elevates partners' stature with customers through a simplified partner experience.
- Investment in Partners: New
$80 million
Strategic Shift for a Competitive Market
The new program reflects a strategic shift in how Cisco and its partners create and deliver value for their customers in today's fast-paced, competitive market. The program will redefine what it means to be a successful Cisco partner measuring value over transactions: how partners serve the needs and ambitions of their customers while harnessing the collective strength of Cisco's partner ecosystem in ways that drives growth. The program will elevate partners' stature with customers and upgrade the partner experience with simplified processes and new ways to plan and track performance.
Cisco announces the first of its tangible enhancements to the partner experience with a
"Today, it's about helping customers unlock the power of technology to achieve their business outcomes. That's the foundation of the Cisco 360 Partner Program. Whether through lifecycle practices, technical capabilities, or managed services, partners can drive profitable growth with our new value-based program. With a 15-month transition, partners have time to prepare and maximize their potential in Cisco 360 Partner Program," said Rodney Clark, Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Small and Medium Business at Cisco.
Cisco 360 Partner Program will include:
Redefining Partner Value: a simplified framework that recognizes the diverse ways partners add value to customers. This approach will measure the value partners deliver within specific portfolios or across multiple portfolios, rewarding partners on how their business model supports lifecycle and managed services, skills investment, customer base expansion, and engagement across the customer journey and partner ecosystem. Qualified partners will gain access to a broad range of benefits like the Cisco Partner Incentive and other non-financial benefits.
Elevating Partner Stature: to simplify and improve our partners' value proposition and awareness with customers, Cisco is moving to two designations: Cisco Partner and Cisco Preferred Partner. Partners can earn these designations for each portfolio, such as Security or Networking, giving partners the ability to be recognized and market themselves as a Cisco Preferred Security Partner or a Cisco Preferred Networking Partner.
Future of Specializations: Cisco will continue to help partners differentiate their market position by developing deep expertise in specific or across multiple portfolios. The new program will continue to shift from traditional Architecture Specializations to Solution-Based Specializations, and ultimately to next generation specializations that will be accessible to Preferred Partners only.
Cisco also announced today its first specialization focused on AI—the Cisco AI-Ready Infrastructure Solution Specialization—to position partners as experts in delivering AI-ready infrastructure, security, and observability solutions and services to customers throughout their AI adoption journey.
Supporting Partners in the Transition
The Cisco 360 Partner Program will fully transition in February 2026. The rollout will be gradual, with new elements introduced and piloted to keep partners and distributors informed and supported throughout the process. Current levels, roles, and lifecycle practice investments will be recognized until the program is fully implemented, ensuring partner investments are protected.
Quotes
"To further strengthen what is already a world-class partner ecosystem, this new program allows us to recognize and reward successful partners and better address the evolving needs of our customers," shared, Elisabeth De Dobbeleer, Senior Vice President, Cisco Partner Program. "Our goal is to transform partner success, elevate Cisco partners, and upgrade the partner experience to align with Cisco's strategic vision."
"We are excited about the launch of the Cisco 360 Partner Program, which represents the culmination of our long-standing and collaborative relationship with Cisco," said Steve Bland, Group Alliance, Director at Computacenter. "Having worked closely with Cisco on the development of this innovative program, we are confident that it will significantly enhance our ability to meet the evolving needs of our customers. The program's emphasis on skills development, combined with Cisco's substantial investment in training, underscores their commitment to our mutual success. We look forward to leveraging these new opportunities to drive growth and deliver exceptional value to our clients."
"As part of our commitment to uniting solutions that deliver business outcomes today and unlock growth for the future, we are proud to have contributed to the creation of the Cisco 360 Partner Program," said Nicko Roussos, Senior Vice President at TD SYNNEX. "This program exemplifies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that has defined our long-term partnership with Cisco and equips us to deliver exceptional, outcome-based experiences. We believe the program will help us better serve our customers to drive mutual growth and do great things with technology."
"One of Cisco's historical strengths has been leading partners through market changes and earning their trust as a result. With this new direction, Cisco has an opportunity to reassume the thought leadership helm going forward," said Cyndi Privett, Owner and Vice President of Research, Viewpoint Research.
Additional Resources:
- For more information on Cisco Partner Summit, please visit here
- For an overview of the Cisco 360 Partner Program, please visit here
- For details on the Cisco 360 Partner Program, partners can visit here
- Executive Platform Blog: Leading Through Learning With The Cisco 360 Partner Program
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