\n
Technological innovation, supercharged by AI, is reshaping customer expectations. Businesses now demand outcomes\u2014delivered with simplicity and agility\u2014not just technology products. This shift has propelled managed services to the forefront of our industry, making it a critical differentiator and a top priority for our partners.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAt Cisco, we are committed to empowering our partners\u2019 success in this transformation. As <\/span>Tim Coogan, SVP, Global Partner Sales <\/span><\/b>\u202fstates, this is a keystone of our channel strategy and the new Cisco 360 Partner Program:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\u201cOur customers are telling us loud and clear that managed services are increasingly how they adopt transformative technology. And our partners are telling us that this business model is where they expect the biggest growth. That makes managed services critical to Cisco\u2019s future as well. This is why we\u2019ve built managed services into the foundation of the Cisco 360 Partner Program\u2014because we believe in meeting customers where they are and empowering partners to deliver outcomes that matter most.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Customer Demand Meets Partner Priority<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe data is clear: managed services are the primary growth driver for B2B IT channel partners. A February 2025 Canalys survey of over 1,000 global respondents found that 49% named managed services their most important revenue opportunity, far outpacing hardware sales at 16% with other initiatives following at precipitously smaller rates. The survey also <\/span>identified<\/span> managed services as the top contributor to gross <\/span>margin.\u00b9<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThis focus on managed services makes perfect sense when you consider the tangible advantages for partners:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n- Boosted Profitability:<\/span><\/b>\u202fManaged services create predictable, recurring revenue streams with higher margins that can be optimized over time, boosting investor confidence and supporting investment considerations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Enhanced Customer Engagement:<\/span><\/b>\u202fManaged services enable a full lifecycle engagement, ensuring you have continual reasons to engage with your clients\u2014from landing the initial sale and helping the customer onboard and adopt the solution to expanding the opportunity and renewing\u2014leading to increased lifetime values, mindshare, and satisfaction.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Strategic Value:<\/span><\/b>\u202fBy focusing on business outcomes instead of speeds and feeds, you elevate from being a vendor to an integral strategic advisor. It is much harder for a competitor to enter an account when the customer feels compelled to call you first to discuss new priorities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cisco\u2019s 3P Strategy: Our Commitment to Your Managed Services Journey<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\nI\u2019ve previously written about Cisco\u2019s commitment to MSPs through our \u201c3P\u201d strategy: Platform, Preference, and Performance<\/strong>. This multi-faceted approach continues to capture what is most essential for our shared success as the Cisco portfolio, our partners, and our partner program are constantly evolving.<\/p>\n\n- Platform: Start with Great Technology \u2013 <\/strong>\u00a0Our \u201cOne Cisco\u201d portfolio brings together the unparalleled strength of our industry-leading technology. From networking and security to observability and collaboration, our platforms are designed with APIs for seamless integration, centralized management, and automation. We continue to invest in MS-specific product managers who understand the features needed for operational success at scale, enabling you to deliver comprehensive, outcome-based solutions.<\/li>\n
- Preference: The Keystone of Our Strategy<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 We are committed to elevating and simplifying the partner experience for you as an MSP. This includes providing a rich set of tools and resources, delivered by industry experts, to help you integrate platforms, <\/span>optimize<\/span> your practice maturity, and accelerate your <\/span>managed services business<\/span>. We want to reduce the time and cost <\/span><\/span>of your evolution, no matter where you are in your journey.<\/li>\n
- Performance: Rewarding Your Growth<\/strong> \u2013 The Cisco 360 Partner Program is designed to reward partners for growth and for expanding their Cisco capabilities. It\u2019s about recognizing your investments and celebrating your success in delighting customers. We are aligning you to the Cisco field sellers through common metrics and giving you managed services-specific, portfolio aligned<\/span>\u00a0Cisco Powered Services.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Partner Managed Services: Embedded Throughout the Cisco 360 Partner Program<\/strong><\/h2>\nSingle labels no longer define a technology partner. Because most partners now operate multiple practices, managed services are deeply embedded in the Cisco 360 Partner Program\u2014not as an add-on, but as a fundamental measure of success. Your managed services practice maturity and demonstrated capabilities directly contribute to your Partner Value Indices (PVIs), which are central to unlocking your designations and benefits.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how managed services show up in the associated metric categories:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n- Foundational: <\/strong>We recognize your progress in building a robust managed services practice, including dedicated roles and operating a Network or Security Operations Center (NOC\/SOC). Our three-level Managed Services Practice Maturity framework, aligned with the TSIA LAER customer engagement model, supports you at every stage of your journey.<\/li>\n
- Capabilities:<\/strong> \u202fThese metrics reflect your team\u2019s <\/span>expertise<\/span> through <\/span>Black Belt <\/span>enablement <\/span>and Cisco career certifications. Partners with a Managed Services Practice Maturity can earn <\/span>additional<\/span> benefits by sharing capabilities from a Center of Excellence across multiple countries through a flexible <\/span>H<\/span>ub and <\/span>S<\/span>poke model.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Performance:<\/strong>\u00a0Your managed services bookings (ACV\/TCV) and your use of MS-specific buying programs\u2014the Managed Services Enterprise Agreement (MSEA) and Managed Services License Agreement (MSLA)\u2014directly boost your performance metrics. Flagging your managed services bookings also helps justify continued investment in MSP-focused features and experts.<\/li>\n
- Engagement:<\/strong>\u00a0Managed services naturally encompass full lifecycle engagement\u2014from landing and adoption to expansion and renewal. These motions translate directly into your Engagement activities and Cisco 360 results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Reaping the Rewards of Managed Services Success<\/strong><\/h2>\nSuccess in managed services is well rewarded in the Cisco 360 Partner Program.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n- Differentiation:<\/strong>\u00a0Achieving\u00a0Cisco Powered Services<\/strong>\u00a0designations helps you stand out. They are searchable in the enhanced Partner Locator, which helps customers, Cisco sellers, and other partners find you based on demonstrated strengths.<\/li>\n
- Programmatic Discounting:<\/strong>\u00a0We appreciate that MSPs drive architectural preference. Programmatic discounting, aligned to your Practice Maturity and Cisco Powered Service attainment, helps you quote and sell with velocity and profitability, allowing you to populate your service catalog with well-priced offers.<\/li>\n
- Cisco Partner Incentives (CPI): <\/strong>Back-end incentives through Cisco Partner Incentives (CPI) also enhance your profitability. CPI rewards you for selling the latest Cisco innovations\u2014for example, Wi-Fi 7 products carry a higher incentive than Wi-Fi 6E. Your earnings grow as you invest in your Managed Services Practice Maturity and capabilities, and achieving the Preferred designation unlocks an additional CPI bonus.<\/li>\n
- Deal Registration:<\/strong> Protects your interests in competitive situations, whether you are hunting a new logo, teaming with a Cisco sales team, or pursuing a renewal. It helps us manage forecasts and rewards you for building this motion into your sales process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These are just a few of the ways we reward your success!<\/p>\n
Your success with managed services is vital to our mutual growth. The Cisco 360 Partner Program is designed to create a flywheel effect: as you invest and deliver value, you are rewarded, enabling further growth. When we both invest, we succeed together in a market ripe with demand.<\/p>\n
Act Now: Your Path to Success<\/strong><\/h2>\nMaximize the Cisco 360 Partner Program transition opportunity by:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n- Investing in Cisco Platforms:<\/strong>\u00a0Build and enhance your managed services using the industry-leading One Cisco portfolio.<\/li>\n
- Achieving Cisco Powered Services:<\/strong>\u00a0Differentiate your services and gain greater visibility in the market.<\/li>\n
- Advancing your Provider Role level:<\/strong> These investments directly translate to Cisco 360\u2019s Managed Services Practice Maturity and defer the need for additional validations for 18 months or more from the launch on January 25th<\/li>\n
- Leveraging MS-Specific Buying Programs:<\/strong>\u00a0Optimize your profitability by utilizing software buying programs designed for MSPs.<\/li>\n
- Flagging Managed Services in CCW:<\/strong>\u00a0Ensure your contributions are accurately tracked and recognized to help us scale investments that support your needs.<\/li>\n
- Utilizing the Partner Experience Platform (PXP):<\/strong>\u00a0Monitor your Partner Value Indices and metrics to see how your efforts translate into program benefits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cisco is deeply committed to ensuring our MSP partners have the platforms, resources, and incentives to grow profitably. By embracing managed services with Cisco, you can unlock new levels of profitable growth and create lasting value for your customers, all of which you will see reflected in the Cisco 360 Partner Program<\/p>\n
Together, we can achieve remarkable success. #GoManaged<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
\n
We\u2019d love to hear what you think. Ask a Question, Comment Below, and Stay Connected with #CiscoPartners on social!<\/p>\n
Cisco Partners Facebook\u00a0\u00a0| \u00a0@CiscoPartners X\/Twitter<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0| \u00a0Cisco Partners LinkedIn<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
![\"Retail](\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png\")
<\/a><\/p>