Internetworking industry leader Cisco Systems is launching a drive into the SME networking market sector with the development of the Premier Certified partner program. The program is designed to recognize and reward resellers who achieve sales success with Cisco networking solutions. With the appointment of Ultra Network Solutions (ULTRA, a member of the Softline Limited Group) as a Premier Partner with immediate effect, Cisco is further advancing its drive into the SME market.
In order to qualify for the Premier Certified Partner status, both Sales and engineering personnel at Ultra have had to fulfil Cisco`s stringent set examination requirements.
"ULTRA is now guaranteed of having both engineers and sales people who understand the product, how to sell it and how to design and implement Cisco networking solutions," says Ken Marsden, director business development at ULTRA.
"Partnering with ULTRA is a logical step in Cisco`s drive into the SME market, as they have traditionally been a high end specialist," Marsden says. "ULTRA has the specialist implementation skills in the SME sector, and is thus Cisco`s ideal entry point into this market."
ULTRA customers will also be able to access Cisco`s pre-sales support team, which includes use of their demonstration laboratory where all the products can be seen in action and tested before purchase. "In addition our clients will benefit from service agents who have specialist configuration skills, and a deeper understanding of issues in the support phase of the product," says Marsden.
"ULTRA personnel will be able to sell technology solutions rather than just product," says Nkuli Mbundu, reseller account executive at Cisco.
"Cisco has made it a priority to identify channel partners and VARs who are able to add real value to the overall service offering," Mbundu says. "To this end we are happy to invest in establishing partnerships which will benefit all parties: Cisco, channel partners and customers."
Share
