Cisco has decided to make a move in one of the most critical areas heading into 2026: the partner ecosystem. The company announced the launch of the Cisco 360 Partner Program, a major upgrade to its channel program that follows 15 months of joint development with partners and has a clear goal: to enable integrators, consulting firms, managed service providers (MSPs), developers, and distributors to sell and deploy projects related to AI-ready data centers, “future-proof” workstations, and digital resilience.
This isn’t a minor initiative. In a market where “production AI” has become the new benchmark—and where clients demand measurable results over catalogs—Cisco is betting on a model that, at least on paper, aims to address three classic channel challenges: how to generate predictable revenue, how to demonstrate specialization without overwhelming partners with bureaucracy, and how to connect clients with the right partner as offerings become increasingly complex (network, security, collaboration, observability, services…).
A “partner-designed” program to sell outcomes, not just components
Cisco presents the 360 Partner Program as an “outcome-driven” evolution, with a message repeated in its announcement: the value proposition isn’t just in the technology, but in the combination of Cisco and its ecosystem.
In this vein, Tim Coogan, Senior Vice President of Global Partner Sales, frames the announcement as a reinforcement of the “muscle” of the ecosystem so that customers can “connect, protect, and thrive” in today’s landscape. From the partners’ perspective, the messaging aligns with current trends: the model emphasizes measurable contribution over volume and aims to help partners differentiate through specialization.
Two impactful changes: new designations and a partner locator
One of the most visible aspects of the launch involves new designations and tools to improve partner discoverability.
Effective immediately, all participants are identified as Cisco Registered Partners, with two additional levels of recognition added:
- Cisco Portfolio Partners: Partners demonstrating commercial and technical expertise, practice maturity, and a strong commitment to customer engagement.
- Cisco Preferred Partners: A higher tier with greater technical requirements and practice maturity, capable of delivering end-to-end solutions.
The second component is the Cisco Partner Locator, a tool designed for customers to find partners across key portfolio areas, including Security, Networking, Collaboration, Services, Splunk, and Cloud & AI Infrastructure. Essentially, it addresses a growing need: many projects require a team of specialists (security experts, network integrators, managed services, consultants, data center deployment, etc.), and clients want to reduce friction in selecting the right partners.
Money and predictability: Cisco Partner Incentive and temporary bonuses through July 2026
The announcement also tackles a sensitive issue: how profitability is structured in the channel amid renewals, subscriptions, services, and hybrid projects.
Cisco introduces the Cisco Partner Incentive (CPI) as a mechanism to simplify previous elements and provide — according to the company — more transparent and predictable income across its portfolio. Additionally, it introduces CPI bonuses to boost earning potential with a focus on “One Cisco,” including specialties like Secure Networking and Secure AI Infrastructure.
There’s a key detail regarding the sales calendar: these bonuses are temporary and will expire at the end of July 2026, which may motivate many partners to prioritize certifications, practices, and campaigns in the first half of the year.
Metrics, funds, and “AI for partners”: the resource package
Beyond incentives, Cisco introduces several tools aimed at professionalizing (and standardizing) how partner value is measured:
- Partner Value Indexes (PVI): The main measurement framework will include dedicated indexes for profiles such as Developers/Advisors, Mass-Scale Infrastructure, and Distributors, along with tailored learning paths and opportunities.
- Distributor Development Fund: A fund to strengthen alignment between Cisco and distribution channels, focusing on growth and enablement.
- Enhanced Cisco AI Assistant in PXP: An evolution of the AI assistant within the Partner Experience Platform to “work faster” and allow partners to dedicate more time to adding value for customers.
Overall, the message is clear: Cisco aims to shift the channel toward a more “consultative” and less transactional model, where partners can support adoption, operations, security, and continuous evolution—especially as customers incorporate AI into their architectures and demand guarantees around performance, security, and governance.
What is Cisco’s goal with this move?
Practically, the launch of the Cisco 360 Partner Program appears to pursue two simultaneous objectives. First, making the channel more profitable and predictable, preventing partners from feeling caught in a maze of rebates and shifting rules. Second, organizing capability positioning in a market where “doing AI” doesn’t mean the same for everyone—as broad as modernizing networks and security to designing data centers ready for inference, observability, or resilience.
Elisabeth De Dobbeleer, head of the partner program, describes it as an effort to “foster collective success, enable differentiation, and scale with confidence.” Analysts like Techaisle see the approach as a bridge toward a “high-touch, high-value, outcome-based, AI-ready” model.
As always, the true test will be execution: how effectively it reduces friction, accelerates complex sales, and helps partners win projects where clients are seeking results—not just products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cisco 360 Partner Program, and how does it differ from the previous program?
It’s Cisco’s new channel framework, developed over 15 months with partner input. It introduces new designations, a unified incentive (CPI), and tools to help sell outcomes related to data centers for AI, workstations, and digital resilience.
What do the Cisco Portfolio Partner and Cisco Preferred Partner designations mean?
They are recognition levels based on the registered partner status. Portfolio Partners demonstrate commercial and technical capabilities and practice maturity; Preferred Partners represent a higher standard with advanced skills and end-to-end solution delivery capabilities, supported by robust adoption practices.
How long will the Cisco Partner Incentive (CPI) bonuses be available?
Cisco states that CPI bonuses are temporary and will expire at the end of July 2026, influencing partner planning around certifications and specializations in the first half of the year.
What is the purpose of the Cisco Partner Locator, and why is it important for AI projects?
It helps clients locate partners across various portfolio areas (security, networking, collaboration, services, Splunk, cloud/AI). Since AI projects often require a mix of specialties, the locator reduces friction by enabling easier team formation.
via: newsroom.cisco