Cisco Master Cloud Builder Specialization
FAQ
Q. What is a Master Specialization?
A. A Cisco® Master Specialization recognizes partners with the greatest capability in a given technology area or architecture
(unified communications, security, data center). To achieve a master specialization, your company must first achieve the
advanced specialization in that technology, then meet stringent requirements that demonstrate master-level capabilities,
and establish a customer success track record in the following areas: Selling skills and personnel investments, training, a
demonstration of your company’s capabilities, and customer references to prove you have a reputable practice.
As a Master Specialized partner, you must have effective IT service management processes across the Cisco lifecycle phases
(prepare, plan, design, implement, operate, and optimize) following ITIL best practice guidelines. To protect the integrity and value
of the master specialization, Cisco uses an onsite audit requirement to validate a partners’ technical and services capabilities.
Master partners are preferred partners for that technology area because of their proven skills and established practice.
Q. What is the Master Cloud Builder Specialization?
A. The Cisco Master Cloud Builder Specialization represents the greatest depth of capabilities by partners with expertise in
designing, deploying, and supporting data center cloud-ready infrastructure for your customers. The Master Cloud Builder
Specialization represents a shift from practice building, to an acknowledgement of a practice, complete with customer
references, and an audit of your capabilities by a third-party auditing firm. Recognition of this deep expertise results in a
Cisco-recognized Master Specialization brand, as well as additional financial incentives such as VIP Rebates.
Q. How does Master Cloud Builder Specialization fit into the existing channel partner program?
A. The Master Cloud Builder Specialization is the highest achievable level within the Data Center suite of offerings under the
Resale pillar of the Channel Partner Program from Cisco and is the requirement for a partner to be recognized in a cloud
builder role by Cisco in general. This is often complimentary to, but should not be confused with, the offerings and recognition
under the Managed Services pillar of the Channel Partner Program.
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© 2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Cisco Master Cloud Builder Specialization
FAQ
Q. Why should my company apply for the Master Cloud Builder Specialization?
A. The Master Cloud Builder Specialization provides differentiation for partners by recognizing them as the go-to experts in the
data center infrastructure and cloud space. Additionally, there are financial benefits and go-to-market support to enhance
your company profitability.
Q. My company has the Cloud Builder designation already, how is the Master Cloud Builder specialization different?
A. The Master Cloud Builder Specialization is the highest level achievable of the current data-center offerings in the specialization
portfolio. It indicates the greatest level of knowledge and expertise and is validated by a far more vigorous assessment of your
company’s capabilities than the Cloud Builder designation. Partners that achieve the Master Specialization are recognized
with benefits like VIP and TIP, not available outside the specialization framework, in addition to membership into the exclusive
group of Master Specialized Partners. The Cloud Builder designation is slated for retirement at the end of January 2014 and is
currently unavailable for application to obtain or renew.
Q. What are the requirements for the Master Cloud Builder Specialization?
A. The Master Cloud Builder Specialization has a number of pre-requisites and requirements intended to verify the depth of knowledge
and established practice of your company. These include evidence of technology eco-partner relationships and practices with
industry leaders in storage, virtualization, integrated infrastructure, cloud management, and desktop virtualization. In addition,
you will need to have the foundational Data Center Architecture specialization, as well as customer references and an onsite
audit of internal processes that includes a demonstration of knowledge and capabilities. You can find exact details about which
technology eco-partners and the certification levels that will be accepted on the Master Cloud Builder Specialization web site at
www.cisco.com/go/mcb.
Q. How do I get details about the pre-requisite Data Center Architecture Specialization?
A. You will find full requirements and details for application at www.cisco.com/web/partners/partner_with_cisco/channel_
partner_program/resale/specializations/adv_datacenter_arch.html.
Q. How do I provide evidence of third-party certifications, specializations, and relationships with my company or personnel?
A. As part of the CSApp application process, your company is asked to upload a copy (in formats such as Microsoft® Word, pdf,
or similiar) of any relevant third-party certifications or specializations for individuals or the company, depending on the specific
requirement.
Q. Where do I go to apply for the Master Cloud Builder Specialization?
A. You can find the online application in the Certification and Specialization Application tool (CSApp)
at www.cisco.com/go/csapp.
Q. What are the entry and exit criteria for VIP eligibility?
A. Please review the VIP playbook for your theater for specific details regarding VIP eligibility.
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© 2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Cisco Master Cloud Builder Specialization
FAQ
Q. My company is currently approved for the Cloud Builder designation. What happens to that approval after the launch of the
Master Cloud Builder Specialization on 19 September 2012?
A. Partners with the Cloud Builder designation in approved status as of September 19, 2012 will be granted an 18 month
extension of that approval status. It will remain in effect until January 2014. At that time it will be retired and removed from your
credentials, unless you fall out of compliance (or otherwise violate program policies), or become approved for the Master Cloud
Builder Specialization. Cisco will revoke the Cloud Builder designation in favor of the Master Cloud Builder Specialization as soon
as you are approved for the Master level. Partners may not hold both the designation and the specialization at the same time.
Q. I am a Cloud Builder-designated partner now, what will happen to my Marketing Development Funds (MDF) accrual if I gain the
Master Cloud Builder Specialization?
A. Partners who are approved as Cloud Builder designated will no longer accrue MDF starting FY14. Partners who achieve the
Master Cloud Builder Specialization before the end of Q2FY14 will be granted a “look back” period to July 18 2013 (start of
FY14) and be allowed to accrue MDF. For specific details, please refer to the MDF T’s and C’s for FY13 and FY14.
Q. I am Cloud Builder designated and have completed the Cisco Cloud Professional Services (CPS) engagements. Do I get to
waive my onsite audit?
A. Partners that completed the Cisco CPS engagements prior to September 19, 2012 and apply for the Master Cloud Builder
Specialization will be given credit for meeting parts of the onsite audit as specifically called out in the Audit and Policies
Document (available at www.cisco.com/go/audit), but will not be granted a waiver for the onsite audit. This only applies to the
partner’s first onsite audit.
Q. I am unable to access the Cisco® Certification and Specialization Application (CSApp) tool. What should I do?
A. To get access to the CSApp tool, you must be a registered Cisco.com user and your name must be associated with your
partner company.
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© 2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Cisco Master Cloud Builder Specialization
FAQ
Q. I have having technical difficulties with CSApp and/or my application process, where do I get help?
A. For question regarding requirements or program details, please work with your Partner Account Manager (PAM). For technical
problems with CSApp, please contact Cisco’ Partner Relationship Team (PRT) at www.cisco.com/go/PRT.
Q. How do my employees complete the required VXI Foundation Training (VDI) online courses?
A. You can find the VXI Foundation courses on Cisco’s Partner Education Connection (PEC) website.
VXI
Foundation
by Partner
Role
Cisco Online Course
Citrix
AM
Cisco Partner VXI Sales Overview
Cisco Virtual eXperience Infrastructure eLearning
Cisco ROI/TCO Tool Overview Training
SE
Cisco Partner VXI Sales Overview
Cisco Partner VXI Technology Overview
Cisco Virtual eXperience Infrastructure eLearning
Cisco ROI/TCO Tool Overview Training
Cisco VXI and Desktop Virtualization Assessment and Sizing Overview
FE
Cisco Partner VXI Technical Overview
Cisco Virtual eXperience Infrastructure eLearning
Cisco VXI and Desktop Virtualization Assessment and Sizing Overview
VMware
AM
Cisco Partner VXI Sales Overview
Cisco Virtual eXperience Infrastructure eLearning
Cisco ROI/TCO Tool Overview Training
SE
Cisco Partner VXI Sales Overview
Cisco Partner VXI Technology Overview
Cisco Virtual eXperience Infrastructure eLearning
Cisco ROI/TCO Tool Overview Training
Cisco VXI and Desktop Virtualization Assessment and Sizing Overview
FE
Cisco Partner VXI 2.5 Technical Overview
Cisco Virtual eXperience Infrastructure eLearning
Cisco VXI and Desktop Virtualization Assessment and Sizing Overview
© 2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other
countries. To view a list of Cisco trademarks, go to this URL: www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The
use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. (1110R)
DDM13CS4150
09/13