Q&A
Worldwide Partner Organization,
Partnership Integrity
Partnership Integrity Program
Q. Why is Cisco putting a new focus on partner integrity?
A.
®
The Cisco Partnership Integrity Program sets higher business standards to benefit its customers and partner
ecosystem. By applying even greater rigor to the existing processes and policies, Cisco continues to ensure
not only a high level of integrity of its partner program but also the maintenance of an effective ecosystem built
around authorized and qualified partners. Qualified partners can be assured that they are part of a community
that adheres to the same high standards and criteria, resulting in opportunities for expanded growth and
increased margins for qualified partners. Cisco’s partners enjoy the advantage of the Cisco brand and
membership in the highest-quality partner program.
Q. Do other manufacturers require this level of due diligence of their resellers?
A.
Many manufacturers are applying increased due diligence with their partners. This benefits the manufacturer
®
and its entire partner ecosystem. However, Cisco’s partners will enjoy the advantage of the Cisco brand and
membership in the highest-quality partner program in the industry.
Q. Does this mean additional work or time for partners?
A.
Companies registering with Cisco for the first time will now need to complete a short questionnaire to provide
more information about their operations. The complete review and determination process typically takes only
one to three days. At the time of contractual renewal, existing Cisco 2-Tier Partners will need to complete the
questionnaire as well, with the same timeframe expectations.
Q. How will this change affect my company?
A.
Companies that register to be a Cisco partner will see opportunities for expanded growth and increased
margins. In addition, Cisco’s partners enjoy the advantage of the Cisco brand and membership in the highestquality partner program in the industry.
General Questions on Partner Registration/PREG
General Questions and Support for All Audiences
Q. How does my company register as a partner with Cisco? What are the different types of
Cisco partners?
A.
To learn more about the Cisco Partner Ecosystem and how to become a Cisco Registered Partner, please
visit: http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/ecosystem/index.html.
Q. Does the registration tool have a guide to help with registration?
A.
The Partner Registration website will display pop-ups containing Q&As, a preregistration checklist, a user
guide, and a link to Cisco partner help to assist the reseller applicant and renewing partner with any questions
during the registration and renewal process.
© 2015 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Confidential. For Channel Partner use only. Not for public distribution.
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Q. What is a Cisco Registered Partner?
A.
A Cisco Registered Partner is a third party that has a contractual relationship with Cisco, has gone through the
registration process described in this Q&A, and undertakes one or more of the following activities relating to
Cisco’s products and services:
●
Resells Cisco products, services, and/or software by purchasing from a Cisco Authorized Distributor
●
Develops, resells, or influences solutions containing Cisco products, services, or software
Q. What is an unregistered reseller?
A.
An unregistered reseller is a third party that is not a Cisco Registered Partner.
Q. Do I need to comply with the questionnaire request as part of the registration and/or renewal process?
How will my answers be used?
A.
Participation in this process will help Cisco more thoroughly understand the operations of our partners
worldwide. We trust that you share our values of transparency and integrity in all business dealings.
Participation in this process is required and will help Cisco maintain our high ethical standards within
the industry.
Q. What happens if I don’t complete the questionnaire?
A.
You will not be able to complete partner registration or the renewal process. This means that your partnership
with Cisco could expire or your application would be declined.
Q. I am a Cisco partner who does not resell Cisco products or services (such as a Cisco Learning
Partner, solution partner, or consultant). Will I still be able to register with Cisco? Do I need to
complete the questionnaire?
A.
Non-resale partners are also required to complete the due diligence questionnaire in order to register with
Cisco. You will be directed to the applicable partner program webpage to register with Cisco.
Q. I don’t understand the questionnaire questions. Who can help me?
A.
There is a user guide in the partner registration tool that provides guidance on how to answer the questions
in the questionnaire. You can also contact the Cisco helpdesk.
For Partners
Q. What are the minimum eligibility requirements to become a Cisco Registered Partner?
A.
Please visit the Cisco Registered Partner Eligibility Requirements page hosted on Cisco.com to review the
detailed list of requirements needed to become a Cisco Registered Partner:
http://www.cisco.com/web/help/reg/ben/registered-partner-minimum-eligibility-requirements.html.
Q. What is my reseller account number?
A.
The reseller account number is your unique account number at the Cisco Authorized Distributor. Every reseller
who buys from a Cisco Authorized Distributor has one or more account numbers that are used to identify the
reseller’s customer accounts with the Cisco Authorized Distributor and to obtain quotes and/or place orders.
If you are registering with Cisco and do not know your account number(s), you will need to contact your
Cisco Authorized Distributor to obtain this information.
Q. I do not know my account number at my distributor or do not have an existing account relationship
with a Cisco Authorized Distributor. How do I obtain this information?
A.
You must contact your Cisco Authorized Distributor to obtain this information.
© 2015 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Confidential. For Channel Partner use only. Not for public distribution.
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Q. If my company doesn’t have a reseller account number, how long will it take for a distributor to provide
us with a number?
A.
This depends on the Cisco Authorized Distributor and their process for authorizing a new reseller.
Q. I have an existing account with a Cisco Authorized Distributor, but it is not currently active. Can I still
register to become a Cisco Registered Partner?
A.
Cisco requires the reseller to have and maintain a current and active account relationship with at least one
Cisco Authorized Distributor. If your account is not active, you will not be able to register to become a Cisco
partner. You will need to contact your Cisco Authorized Distributor to learn what steps are required to bring
your account up to date.
Q. What if I have never bought from a Cisco Authorized Distributor and do not have an existing account?
A.
Cisco requires that a reseller have an existing relationship with a Cisco Authorized Distributor before becoming
a Cisco Registered Partner. If you do not have an account with a Cisco Authorized Distributor, please contact
a distributor by searching in the Distributor Locator tool in order to establish an account relationship:
https://tools.cisco.com/WWChannels/LOCATR/openDistributorSearch.do
Q. What happens if I am renewing my application and have never bought from a Cisco Authorized
Distributor?
A.
Cisco requires that partners have an existing relationship with a Cisco Authorized Distributor before becoming
a Cisco Registered Partner. If you do not have an existing account relationship with a Cisco Authorized
Distributor, you will need to contact a Cisco Authorized Distributor and establish an account relationship before
returning to renew with Cisco. You may also use the Distributor Locator tool to establish an account
relationship: https://tools.cisco.com/WWChannels/LOCATR/openDistributorSearch.do
Q. Will I be able to renew without providing at least one valid distributor account number in my
account profile?
A.
No. As of March 2015, Cisco requires partners to identify their Cisco Authorized Distributor. All information
provided will be verified, and invalid information may delay or cause rejection of the partner renewal request.
All partners should make sure that the information provided in their account profile is up to date to ensure
point-of-sale accuracy to meet attainment requirements for partner programs and rewards such as the Cisco
Value Incentive Program (VIP).
Q. If a new reseller applicant does not have an established account relationship with a Cisco Authorized
Distributor and provides invalid distributor account information so they can proceed with the
registration, how can they edit it once they do obtain a reseller account number?
A.
Resellers who submit invalid account numbers in their application will have their application declined.
Resellers should submit their application only after establishing an account relationship with a Cisco
Authorized Distributor.
A reseller may begin an application and save it at any time during the process. If the reseller does not have an
established distributor relationship but has started the application process, they can save the previously
entered information and return to complete the application after they have established an account relationship
with a Cisco Authorized Distributor.
Q. Why do I have to provide my distributor information and distributor account number?
A.
Cisco requires that a reseller applicant have an existing, active resale account relationship with a Cisco
Authorized Distributor. The Cisco Authorized Distributor must be physically located or authorized to sell in the
country or sales territory in which the reseller is registering with Cisco.
© 2015 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Confidential. For Channel Partner use only. Not for public distribution.
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You are required to provide all Cisco Authorized Distributors that you have a relationship with, and all reseller
account numbers at those distributors, in order to validate your intent and ability to purchase and resell though
Cisco’s authorized distribution channel. Each account number provided will be verified for accuracy, and
inaccurate information may cause a delay in the application or renewal process.
Additionally, the account information you provide will be used to ensure point-of-sale accuracy for you to meet
attainment requirements for partner programs and rewards such as the Cisco Value Incentive Program.
Q. What happens if my distributor is not displayed in the drop-down list on the registration tool?
A.
If your distributor is not listed in the partner registration tool, contact your distributor to verify their details.
Q. Can I select more than one distributor at the time of registration?
A.
Yes, you are required to provide all current accounts at the Cisco Authorized Distributors that you will use to
purchase Cisco products and Cisco Services. Each account number provided will be verified for accuracy, and
inaccurate information may cause a delay in the application process.
Q. If I choose multiple distributors, will all of the distributors be involved in the validation process?
A.
Yes, all information provided to Cisco will be verified by Cisco and Cisco authorized third-party affiliates,
including our Authorized Distributors.
Q. If I choose only one Cisco Authorized Distributor during registration, can I add additional Authorized
Distributors at a later date or during renewal?
A.
At the time of registration, all Cisco Authorized Distributors must be listed. If you form a relationship later with
an additional Authorized Distributor, you can add that distributor and valid accounts by updating the
Distribution Information section in your partner profile in the Partner Self Service (PSS) tool. All partners
should make sure that the information provided in their account profile is up to date to ensure point-of-sale
accuracy to meet attainment requirements for partner programs and rewards such as the Cisco Value
Incentive Program.
Q. If I list one Cisco Authorized Distributor during registration, will I still be able to purchase from Cisco
Authorized Distributors that were not listed?
A.
At this time Cisco is not limiting any business between the partners and any Authorized Distributor based upon
the distribution data provided in their account profile. However, Cisco reserves the right to impose and enforce
distribution purchasing access limitations at any time.
For removal of any doubt, you should make sure that the information provided in your account profile is up to
date to ensure point-of-sale accuracy to meet attainment requirements for partner programs and rewards, and
to receive continued access to purchase from your Cisco Authorized Distributors.
Q. Why is Cisco requiring that I keep my distribution account information updated in my partner profile?
A.
Cisco requires partners to have and maintain viable account relationships with Cisco’s authorized distribution
channel. Partners must provide this information at initial registration and must keep it current in order to
maintain their Cisco partner status. This information is also used to identify and accurately reflect point-of-sale
transactions, which are used to validate and verify attainment requirements for partner programs and rewards
such as the Cisco Value Incentive Program.
Q. Why am I required to choose a preferred Cisco Authorized Distributor during registration?
A.
Cisco Authorized Distributors provide primary engagement for new partners for training, sales, marketing, and
presales support. Your preferred Cisco Authorized Distributor will be the one to initiate this new partner
onboarding, training, and sales engagement. You may purchase from any Cisco Authorized Distributor with
© 2015 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Confidential. For Channel Partner use only. Not for public distribution.
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which you have an active account. Any additional account information must be maintained in your account
profile in Partner Self Service.
Q. I entered incorrect details on a previous page before submitting; can I go back and change it?
A.
Some of the application pages do not support the Back button feature and will not take you to the previous
page in your application. If you are unable to go back to a previous page, please make sure to save your work,
exit the application, close your browser, reopen it, and then return to the partner registration tool. All saved
information will be available from the beginning for you to review and make any changes before submitting.
Once an application has been submitted, it needs to go through the review process. If you submitted incorrect
Cisco Authorized Distributor account information, either the application will be declined or the distributor may
choose to correct the information when receiving the registration information. If the application is declined, it
can be reset to allow you to make the corrections and resubmit your application.
Q. I submitted an incorrect answer on my application or renewal. How can I correct it?
A.
Once an application has been submitted, it needs to go through the review process. If you submitted incorrect
Cisco Authorized Distributor account information, either the application will be declined or the distributor may
choose to correct the information. If the application is declined, it can be reset in the partner registration tool.
Q. What happens if the Cisco Authorized Distributor account information I have provided is incorrect
or not valid?
A.
If the Cisco Authorized Distributor account information you have provided is not valid because you do not have
a valid account with the distributor, the application will be declined. You must establish an account relationship
before applying to be a Cisco Registered Partner, and you must provide accurate details when submitting your
application.
If the information you submitted is incorrect due to error, it may also be declined if your Cisco Authorized
Distributor is not able to correct it. If the application is declined, you can open a case with Cisco to reset your
application and reapply, but you must provide the accurate account information to have your application
approved.
Q. How long until I know whether my application or renewal has been approved?
A.
The normal timeframe for application review and response from Cisco is one to three business days. If
additional Cisco or third-party validation is required, this timeframe may be extended. You may check the
status of your application in the partner registration tool. If you have not received a response from Cisco after
eight business days, you may open a case by contacting Cisco Customer Support:
http://www.cisco.com/cisco/psn/web/workspace.
Q. How will I be notified of approved or declined partnership?
A.
You will be notified via email. You may check your application status in the partner registration tool. If you have
not received a response from Cisco after eight business days, you may open a case by contacting Cisco
Customer Support: http://www.cisco.com/cisco/psn/web/workspace.
Q. I am not seeing any updates to my status in the partner registration tool. How can I get more
information?
A.
If you have not received a response from Cisco after eight business days, contact Cisco Customer Support:
http://www.cisco.com/cisco/psn/web/workspace.
© 2015 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Confidential. For Channel Partner use only. Not for public distribution.
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Q. I have to place an immediate order. Can I expedite my registration?
A.
If you need to escalate your application, please contact Cisco Customer Support:
http://www.cisco.com/cisco/psn/web/workspace. If you are working on a current order or an important future
opportunity, you should submit your application as soon as possible to minimize any delay.
Q. My partner application or renewal was declined. How can I find out more information about why?
What can I do to appeal?
A.
Contact the Cisco helpdesk.
The minimum eligibility requirements can be viewed on the Partner Registration site:
https://tools.cisco.com/WWChannels/IPA/welcome.do
Q. The contact identified for my company in the partner registration tool is not correct. How can I fix that?
A.
Any of your company information can be updated in the Partner Self Service (PSS) tool at any time.
Q. How do I navigate Partner Self Service to update my partner details?
A.
Partner company details and distributor information can be updated in the Partner Self Service tool by
navigating to: https://tools.cisco.com/WWChannels/IPA/welcome.do
Q. I am an existing partner and am approaching my expiration date. Can my registration expire before
a determination of approval or rejection for my renewal can be made?
A.
As long as you renew by your registration deadline, your status will remain intact and your partnership will not
be revoked while the determination is being made. You will start receiving email notifications to renew your
registration 90 days before your renewal expiration. You may renew anytime within the 90-day period before
your expiration date.
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