Networking giant unveils 12 new specialist certifications for partners

Cisco has added 12 new specialist certifications to its recently rejigged Channel Partner Programme.

Changes to Cisco's partner programme was exclusively revealed by CRN last month (CRN, 13 March) and hailed by Cisco as “the most significant [announcement] in the past five years”.

The new Cisco Specialist Certifications are: Cisco Advanced Wireless LAN Design Specialist, Cisco Advanced Wireless LAN Field Specialist, Cisco Advanced Wireless LAN Sales Specialist, Cisco Security Solutions and Design Specialist, Cisco Advanced Security Field Specialist, Cisco Security Sales Specialist, Cisco Routing and Switching Solutions Specialist, Cisco Routing and Switching Field Specialist, Cisco Routing and Switching Sales Specialist, Cisco Foundation Design Specialist, Cisco Foundation Field Specialist, and Cisco Foundation Sales Specialist.

Don Field, director of certifications at Cisco, said: "Cisco has created new specialist certifications to meet the growing demand for integrated network technologies. Organisations that employ specialists certified by Cisco have expertise in the technologies required to build robust, sophisticated network-based solutions."

John Pepper, managing director of Cisco reseller MINX Technology, told CRN: "Cisco has a clear strategy and vision for the future and unified communications is a key element to this strategy. The new channel changes come at a perfect time for MINX Technology as we are nimble and agile enough to grasp the new specialisation and certification requirements."