Friday, 15 August 2008

Cisco Integrates Linksys SMB Channel Partner Program

Cisco this week announced that it is incorporating the Linksys Small-Business Channel Partner Program services and assets into its Channel Partner Program as part of its small and medium-sized business (SMB) go-to-market strategy.

By integrating the Linksys Business Series products into its SMB portfolio, Cisco said it plans to provide its channel partners with access to a more diverse solution subsequently allowing for more choice and increased revenue potential.

"The SMB market continues to present tremendous growth potential for Cisco and our channel partners, and we have been successfully serving the sector with solutions from both Cisco and Linksys," said Andrew Sage, vice president of Small Business Sales, Worldwide Channels at Cisco.

"We believe that taking a coordinated approach across technology and go-to-market strategies is a natural evolution that brings greater synergies to our customers and channel partners alike. This includes an array of channel program benefits to meet the broad requirements presented by our partners' customer base, all designed to increase revenue potential and enable us to focus collectively on serving the SMB customer."

The SMB channel and technology integration represents a broader company focus on the SMB opportunity with an increased focus on the small-business segment of the SMB market.

Earlier this summer, Cisco established a Small Business Council to align the company's small-business strategy and go-to-market across all functions globally.

The council was created to ensure that our small business customers and channel partners have access to the most comprehensive and innovative range of technology solutions in the communications industry.

The Small Business Council is led by three Cisco veterans: Sue Bostrom, chief marketing officer and executive vice president; Keith Goodwin, the senior vice president of Worldwide Channels and Ian Pennell, the senior vice president of the Small Business Technology Group.