A: Partners who participate in the Cisco Express Unified Communications and Cisco Advanced Unified Communications Specializations will enjoy the following benefits:

Continued partnership with Cisco
Recognition for delivering deeply specialized value-added offerings
Detailed training roadmaps to advanced skills and capabilities
Access to restricted products (where applicable)
Enhanced credibility with customers
Eligibility to participate in the Value Incentive Program (VIP)
Improved productivity and higher customer satisfaction

A: The lab requirements have been updated to reflect the most current products, technologies, and platforms for the Cisco Express Unified Communications and Cisco Advanced Unified Communications Specializations.

You can view the lab requirements by going to: http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/adv-com/lab.html
to view the Advanced lab requirements and
http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/x-ucom/lab.html
to view the Express lab requirements.

A: Partners can apply for the Cisco Express Unified Communications and Cisco Advanced Unified Communications Specializations at the Certifications and Specialization Application (CSApp) Website.

http://www.cisco.com/go/csapp

Partners should use the "Upload" capability on CSApp to attach electronic versions of supplemental documentation such as proof of meeting lab and Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) requirements.
or
Cisco system engineers should use the SupportNet tool to submit proof of lab and MCSE documentation for their partner.

Additional instructions can be found on the Specialization Website:
http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/ucom/index.html

A: Download and fill out the AUC Lab Equipment form located at:

http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/adv-com/lab.html

Then upload it into the online application:

www.cisco.com/go/csapp



Instructions for uploading supporting documentation for the Cisco Advanced Unified Communications Specialization are as follows:



Go to the Certification/Specialization Application at:
www.cisco.com/go/csapp



Click on the Administrative Tasks tab.



Click on "Upload Documents."

Upload your documents. If you do not see your document in the application right away, it is because it must go through a virus check first. Open a case in the SupportNet tool to let us know that you have submitted the documents by clicking on the Create Case tab.

If the invoice is not a Cisco invoice, upload a soft copy (.jpg or .pdf) of the invoice into the application along with the form. Purchase orders and sales orders are not accepted unless they are complete or verified by a Cisco SE.

A: Fill out either the EUC or AUC lab form located on the following page:

EUC:
http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/x-ucom/lab.html

AUC:
http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/adv-com/lab.html

and submit it, using the instructions on the form. This option can only be used if the EUC or AUC lab is being verified by a Cisco SE.

A: Customers have told us repeatedly that product names should describe what the product does and, that in a large portfolio of products such as those offered by the Cisco family of IP Communications offerings, names should feature logical groupings of products. The name Unified Communications refers to the entire product family and serves as part of each product name. Our goal is to achieve greater distinction and market leadership for Cisco IP Communications offerings, as well as create a framework for consistently naming all Cisco IP Communications products and solutions.

The goal of our new specialization naming is to align with this naming change.

From now on, Cisco IP Communications Express and IP Communications partners will be naturally evolve into these two programs.

A: The Cisco Advanced Unified Communications Specialization requires partners to have a dedicated individual in each of the three roles in the base specialization.

Individuals used to fulfill roles in the base specializations can also be used for the required four Cisco Qualified Specialists badges. The Cisco Advanced Unified Specialization offers partners free online learning via Partner E-learning Connection for sales managers and Cisco Lifecycle Services courses. The Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Express is the only additional lab equipment required to purchase over the IP Communications Specialization lab purchase requirements.

See the Role Requirements page for training requirements and the Return on Investment page to determine partner investment.

A: Cisco IP Communications Express Specialization
Cisco IP Communications Specialization
Cisco IPCC Enterprise ATP
Cisco Rich Media Communications ATP
Cisco VOIP for Service Providers
Cisco RNO ATP

A: Existing ATPs will not retire. Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Express (audioconferencing) will be available as part of the Cisco Advanced Unified Communications Specialization, however, a partner will need to be in the Rich Media Communications ATP to sell Cisco Unified MeetingPlace (Enterprise).

Please consult your Cisco channel account manager for more information about ATPs.

A: The Advanced Unified Communications will cover IP videoconferencing and audioconferencing (Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Express). It will be covered in meeting the requirements for the Rich Media Communications Specialist Cisco Qualified Specialist role. Initially it covers just IP videoconferencing, the Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Express content will be fully integrated by July, 2006.

A: Visit the Unified Communications website for detailed information regarding specialization levels, roles and requirements:

http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/ucom/index.html