Cisco has introduced a new, portfolio-based program model to help customers quickly identify partners with the right expertise for modern infrastructure, security, collaboration, and AI-driven change.
Cisco has evolved its partner program with the launch of the Cisco 360 Partner Program, a new model designed to better align partner recognition to real customer outcomes and to make it easier for customers to match partner strengths to their priorities.
As part of this updated program, Cerium Networks holds Cisco Preferred designations across five portfolios: Cloud & AI Infrastructure, Collaboration, Networking, Security, and Services. These portfolio designations reflect objective criteria tied to advanced technical expertise, strong customer engagement, and mature lifecycle practices aligned to specific Cisco portfolios.
Why Cisco Made the Change
The technology landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years. Organizations are balancing modernization, cybersecurity, cloud adoption, and the operational demands of hybrid work, while also preparing for AI workloads that place new requirements on networks and infrastructure. Cisco created the Cisco 360 Partner Program to better align partner recognition with real customer outcomes and to simplify how customers identify partner expertise.
Rather than relying on broad, one-size-fits-all partner tiers, Cisco 360 highlights partner strengths by portfolio and emphasizes measurable partner value, including skills investment, customer engagement, and lifecycle practices. The result is a clearer, customer-friendly view of which partners are best equipped to support specific needs across networking, security, collaboration, cloud and AI infrastructure, and services.
What Cerium’s Designations Mean for Clients
Cerium’s Cisco Preferred designations across five portfolios demonstrate a strong ability to help clients plan, implement, and manage Cisco solutions end-to-end. For customers, this translates into greater confidence across the lifecycle, from architecture and deployment through adoption, optimization, and ongoing operations.
“Cisco’s 360 program reflects where the market is headed,” said Kevin Heide, Director of Technical Sales at Cerium. “Clients are not just buying technology. They are building resilient operations, improving security, enabling better experiences for their users, and preparing for the next wave of change. These Cisco Preferred Partner designations reinforce our ability to deliver outcomes across the Cisco portfolios our clients rely on most.”
How Cerium Helps Organizations with Cisco
- Networking: Modernize wired and wireless environments to improve performance, reliability, and scalability.
- Security: Strengthen security posture with architecture, implementation, and operational practices designed to reduce risk.
- Collaboration: Improve user experience and adoption across calling, meetings, and collaboration capabilities.
- Cloud & AI Infrastructure: Build modern infrastructure foundations that support evolving workloads and long-term operational stability.
- Services: Deliver lifecycle support, including implementation, optimization, and ongoing operational support, reinforced by Cisco programs such as SmartNet and Cisco TAC escalation paths when needed.
Looking Ahead
As organizations continue to modernize and prepare for AI-driven change, Cerium will continue investing in skills, lifecycle delivery practices, and customer success outcomes across the Cisco portfolios that matter most. The company’s Cisco Preferred designations further strengthen Cerium’s ability to serve as a trusted advisor, helping clients reduce complexity and drive measurable results.
