Cisco doubles number of resellers

New Delhi: Cisco Systems has announced a 100 per cent increase in the number

of Cisco authorized reseller's in India to 1200 from the existing 600 from last

year. This increase includes an increase in the number of premier partners from

60 to 80.

Cisco India and SAARC region president, Manoj Chugh, said, "Cisco's

business in India has been growing at three figure growth rates over the past

year. Our strategy to manage and sustain this growth has been to consistently

grow our business network across the country and focus on Small and Medium

Businesses. This segment has proven to be the fastest growing Line of Business

for Cisco in India and we are confident that the expansion of our partner

network will only further fuel our growth."

He further added, " Cisco's focus to expand into the Secondary and Tier

2 markets in India is a part of our commitment to grow the Indian networking

market. Last year, all estimates revealed that more and more Indian's were

expected to connect into the global Internet Revolution. Only Cisco, given its

position of market dominance in the space, could have met the burgeoning

potential for networking equipment in India. We, therefore, invested heavily

into expanding the breadth and quality of our Channel network - to best meet

this expected demand."

All certified Cisco channel partners meet strict standards for product

knowledge, technical ability, and customer support. Cisco Partners have access

to Cisco products and solutions through the company's wholesale distribution

network. Premier, Silver and Gold Partners have completed progressively rigorous

requirements for training, staffing, and support capabilities.

Further, every reseller has access to the Cisco Partner's Intranet ecosystem

called the Cisco Connection Online (CCO). The CCO provides updated and

unrestricted information on the entire range of Cisco products & solutions

and provides skill-building and skill-enhancing opportunities through Cisco's

e-Learning initiatives."

The Cisco Premier certification level is designed to recognize and reward the

resellers with credibility in the marketplace. Premier Certified Partners

achieve the first Cisco certification level by completing sales and technical

training, and meeting other base requirements such as having a certain number of

Cisco certified engineers working for them and meeting the stringent support

requirements outlined by Cisco.