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Cisco Select Certificationand SMB Specialization 

Cisco—Committed to SMB-Focused Partners

The SMB Market Opportunity

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have become the IT industry ’s fastest-growing

segment. With this trend comes a heightened demand from customers for knowledgeable network 

professionals who can successfully design and deploy Cisco® SMB solutions. This is especially

true in the SMB market, where customers rely heavily on their partners as trusted advisers.

The Evolution of the Cisco Channel Partner Program

With the Cisco Select Certification and SMB Specialization, Cisco continues to demonstrate its

commitment to the fast-growing SMB segment by helping partners further develop their skills and

capabilities so they can address the market opportunity and be successful with SMB customers. Both

the Select Certification and the SMB Specialization are designed to help partners grow, differentiate,

build customer satisfaction, and increase their exposure to new customers in the SMB market.

Cisco Select Certification

Cisco Select Certification is the entry point into the Cisco Channel Partner Program for partners

with a primary focus on the SMB market. This certification offers training, tools, and incentives and

demonstrates a partner’s competency in selling and deploying Cisco SMB solutions. The Select

Certification provides a step between Cisco Registered and Premier Certified Partners.

Cisco is rewarding partners who achieve the Select Certification and SMB Specialization with

incentives that are aligned to their investment in this certification. The incentives vary by region.*

*Contact your local Cisco representative for more information about the details specific to your region.

At-A-Glance

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At-A-Glance

Benefits

Cisco Select Cer tification differentiates SMB-focused partners as having the expertise sought by

SMB customers. It also presents new business-building opportunities for SMB-focused partners.

Benefits include:

• The ability to differentiate your company using the Cisco Select Certified Partner logo

• Eligibility to earn Partner Development Funds

• Access to Cisco partner incentives

• Eligibility to sell Cisco Smart Care Service

• Being listed as SMB Specialized in the Cisco Partner Locator tool

• Access to a virtual partner kit that contains useful sales tools and resources, such

as a Certificate of Achievement, the Cisco Select Certified logo, and information

about Cisco cer tification and specializations

• Certified-level access to Cisco.com

• Use of the Cisco Competitive Portal

• Use of the Cisco Quote Builder quick quoting tool

Additional benefits and incentives may be available in your region. Contact your local Cisco

team for specifics.

Training

The training courses for the Cisco SMB Specialization are designed for ease and efficiency.

The courses for both the engineer and account manager roles are available in e-learning format

and as instructor-led training (ILT). All training is free.

Requirements

To achieve Cisco Select Certification, you must:

• Identify a person within your company who will assume an account manager role and one

who will assume an engineer role. It is possible for one individual to assume both roles.• Have these individuals take the recommended account manager and engineering training

and pass two exams.

• Provide support service eight hours a day, five days a week.

Like all Cisco channel partner certifications, Select Certification is valid for one year from the time

a partner meets all requirements.

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At-A-Glance

Cisco SMB Specialization

The Cisco SMB Specialization recognizes SMB-focused partners and provides further opportunity

for partners to use the Cisco brand.

It focuses on a partner’s validated ability to successfully sell, design, and deploy proven Cisco

solutions to small and medium-sized businesses (those with fewer than 250 employees). TheSMB Specialization is designed to help partners grow, differentiate, build customer satisfaction,

and increase their exposure to customers in the SMB market.

Cisco SMB Specialization is very attainable for SMB-focused partners. It is required for Select

Certification. An SMB Specialization counts only toward Select Certification.

For More Information

Select Certification: www.cisco.com/go/select

SMB Specialization: www.cisco.com/go/specializations/smb

Cisco Select Certification• Certification entry point for

Cisco Registered Partners

• Provides growth path andpartner differentiation

• Training, tools, and rewards

for SMB-focused partners

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SILVER

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SELECT

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