A: All roles in base specializations must now be satisfied by unique individuals. For flexibility, some sharing is allowed for the Express Foundation Specialization. Individuals used to satisfy roles in Express Foundation can also fill a single role in one other base specialization.

The current 2x2 role sharing rules will continue to apply for optional specializations.

A: The Partner Services Assessment measures a partner?s repeatable processes in specific service practice areas, listed below.
Advanced Security
? Business Requirements Document
? Statement of Work development
? Site survey performance
? Security policies and procedures
? Project management
? Security readiness assessment
? Cisco Security Agent product configuration
? Cisco Security Agent product implementation
? Acceptance testing and network ready-for-use testing
Master Security
? Technology Requirements Document
? Vulnerability assessment
Advanced Unified Communications
? Business Requirements Document
? Statement of Work development
? Site survey performance
? Circuit analysis
? Project management
? Communications planning
? Detailed design development
? Acceptance testing and network ready-for-use testing
? End?user training
? Ongoing support and operational handoff process
Master Unified Communications
? Technology Requirements Document
? Detailed design

A: To determine if you qualify, please follow these steps:

1. Log into the certification tracking tool: (https://www.certmanager.net/cisco)
2. Enter your Test or CSCO ID and Password
3. Click the ?Certification Progress? button
4. Click on ?Authenticate 3rd Party Data? link and complete the required information to validate your MCSE credential.

Those who qualify for the Cisco Unity Support Specialist certification will receive a notice from Cisco confirming their status as a Cisco Unity Support Specialist. For those who qualify, the certification will be valid for two years from the date that the exam was taken.

For complete details on the requirements for the Cisco Unity Support Specialist, CCNA, CCDA and other Cisco certifications visit www.cisco.com/go/certifications.

A: Specializations are valid for one year. When a partner's specialization expires, the partner is encouraged to replace it with one of the new, updated specializations.

The specialization renewal/transition policies are based upon several factors, including the specialization renewal date, specialization status (active or retired), and the application deadline (if specialization has been retired).

Detailed specialization transition guide lines are outlined below:

Specialization Renewal Date: March 14, 2006 ? June 14, 2006
Retired specializations due to expire March 14, 2006 through June 14, 2006 will be extended to September 30, 2006
Partners should submit an application to renew the retired specialization by the specialization renewal date (plus10 days grace period) or by June 14, 2006, whichever is earlier

OR

Achieve a new specialization to replace the expiring specialization by September 30, 2006

Partner will receive points for achieving new specializations during the transition period

Specialization Renewal Date: June 15, 2006 ? September 30, 2006

For retired specializations due to expire June 15, 2006 through September 29, 2006, the transition period will be extended to September 30, 2006
Achieve a new specialization to replace the expiring specialization by September 30, 2006

Partner will receive points for achieving new specializations during the transition period
Specialization Renewal Date: On or after October 1, 2006

Specializations with a renewal date on or after October 1, 2006 will expire per standard policy

Must achieve new specializations to replace expiring specializations

Partner will receive points for achieving new specializations during the transition period