Collaboration First Up for Cisco Partners

BOSTON: Less than a month after Cisco Systems showed even it isn’t immune to the current economy, the networking, storage and server-wannabe vendor is marshalling its channel for the future. First up on the agenda for this week’s partner event is today’s announcement of new programs, packages and products for the $34 billion collaboration market. Cisco is introducing IP telephony endpoints, expanded opportunities to sell TelePresence systems, and new collaboration and unified communications solutions and licensing options.

"Today’s business environment is accelerating the demand for collaboration solutions to reduce travel, improve productivity and reduce expenses," stated Richard McLeod, senior director of worldwide channels at Cisco in a prepared statement. "As we enter the upturn, globalization, consolidation and innovation will emerge as the major business imperatives with collaboration as the key enabler. Cisco and our partners are uniquely positioned to meet those needs."

Two weeks ago Cisco reached out to its core routing and switching channels with the Core Accelerator promotion that provides partners with incentive payments of 15 per cent on qualified switching products and five per cent on qualified routing products. It is targeted at a global install base with routers and switches over five years old valued at $23 billion. 

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