Linksys confirms cut-off date for making Cisco switch

Linksys resellers in the Middle East have until 16th September to sign up as Cisco Registered Channel Partners following confirmation that the vendor’s partner programme is to finally be folded into Cisco’s own channel scheme.

Linksys Business Series products will be brought into the Cisco SMB portfolio as part of the process that will see the Linksys Small Business Channel Partner Programme services and assets incorporated into its networking parent’s own channel initiative.

Robert Auci, senior director of worldwide small business marketing at Cisco, revealed that all global partners, including those in the Middle East, must register before the cut-off date to retain their status with Linksys. “After that date the Linksys Partner Connection Programme will be retired,” he explained.

The vendor insists existing Linksys dealers that transition to the new structure can look forward to improved engagement with Cisco following the switch.

“It will benefit our former Linksys reseller channel by offering access to a broader and even more comprehensive portfolio of solutions and resources to better serve the small and medium-sized business customer,” claimed Auci.These resources include training and knowledge transfer events covering the expanded Cisco portfolio, solutions, verticals and marketing. Linksys partners that register in time will also have access to higher levels of certification, which the vendor claims equates to increased profitability and a greater number of SMB marketing and demand generation assets.

Linksys says the programme that Middle East partners enrol on will effectively be the scheme that Cisco operates in the region, but with the addition of assets and marketing vehicles transferred from the Linksys scheme to drive small business sales.