Partner Central

Unified Communications Specialization

Become a Unified Communications Specialized Partner

Prove your expertise in integrated Cisco Unified Communications solutions.

Unified Communications Specializations

Entry Express Advanced Master
 
Related certifications: Advanced Unified Communications is required for Cisco Gold Certification certification and optional for Cisco Silver Certification. Express Unified Communications is optional for Cisco Silver Certification.

Stay Informed: Announcements

Cisco Unified Communications (UC) Specializations help your company to:

  • Develop sales, technical, and service capabilities for integrated Unified Communications solutions
  • Increase technical competency within the company
  • Achieve recognition as a Specialized Partner in the Cisco Partner Locator

These specializations also entitle you to a range of additional benefits. You can:

Announcement: Retirement of Cisco Express Unified Communications Specialization (PDF - 299 KB)
Announcement Date: April 30, 2012
Last day for new partners to apply: July 31, 2012
Retirement Date: July 31, 2012
Program End Date: August 1, 2013

Account Manger | Systems Engineer | Apply or Renew

Specialization Requirements

Two roles are required for the Express Unified Communications Specialization:

  • Account Manager (AM)
  • Systems Engineer (SE)

These roles provide a roadmap with training content and exams that are tailored to pertinent jobs within a company. Following is a summary of training format, cost, and duration for each role. All costs are estimated and may vary by region.

Account Manager

Responsible for sales methodology and customer engagement.

Prerequisite: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Sales Expert (#646-205 CSE or #646-206 CSE) Exam $80 60 min
Requirement(s): Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco IP Communications Express Sales Specialist
(#646-223)
(#650-393)
Exam
Exam
$150
$ 80
60 min
45 min
Recommended Training: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Sales Essentials (CSE) v5.0 or v6.0 (to match exam) v5 E-learning
v6 E-learning
$0 5 hrs
Unified Communications Express Sales v2.0 E-Learning $0 2 hrs
Cisco Lifecycle Services Express E-Learning $0 3 hrs
Total: $310 13 hrs

Role Sharing Guidelines:

One qualified individual may fill only the AM role in up to 4 technology specializations.

Systems Engineer

Presales engineer responsible for Unified Communications solution planning and design.

Prerequisite: Format Cost (USD) Duration
CCNA
or
CCDA or CCNP or CCIE
Exam $250 110 min
Requirement(s):
Cisco IP Communications Express Specialist
(#642-145)
(#650-393)
Exam
Exam
$80
$80
75 min
45 min
Recommended Training: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Implementing Cisco IOS-Based Unified Communications (IIUC) Instructor-led $3395 5 days
Implementing Cisco IOS-Based Unified Communications Part 2 (IIUC2) Instructor-led $3395 5 days
Cisco Lifecycle Services Express E-Learning $0 3 hrs
Total: $7200 10 days, 7 hrs

Role Sharing Guidelines:

One qualified individual may fill - the SE role or the SE and FE role in up to a total of 2 technology specializations.

See specialization requirements in a consolidated view

Apply:

  1. Visit the "Become a Registered Partner" page if you are new to the Cisco Channel Partner Program and have not registered.
  2. Verify that the certified individuals fulfilling job roles are allocated to your company with their CSCO identification number. Partner Administrators and internal Cisco employees (associated through the CAM Assignment tool) are able to verify this information using the Partner Self Service tool. (Cisco usually receives exam results in 5 to 10 business days.)
  3. Complete and submit the Specialization application.
    If you encounter any issues in the application or renewal process, please open a case with the Partner Relationship Team.

Renew:

To renew a specialization:

  1. Begin the recertification process 90 days before your anniversary date.
  2. Verify that you are in compliance with the current specialization requirements.
  3. Submit your application using the Certification and Specialization Application online web tool.

You must meet all requirements to submit your application. If you encounter any issues in the application or renewal process, open a case with the Cisco Partner Relationship Team.

If you fail to submit a recertification application within 10 days after your anniversary date, you will lose your specialization.

Note: If a partner does not remain in compliance with the applicable specialization or certification requirements, Cisco reserves the right to revoke the specialization or certification at any time. Partners must notify Cisco of its non-compliance promptly, but in no event more than thirty (30) days after partner first becomes aware of its non-compliance. Upon receipt of such notice, partner may qualify for an extension of time in which to renew its compliance with the applicable specialization or certification requirements. Partner's failure to provide such notice may disqualify partner from receiving such an extension. If no extension is granted or if partner fails to comply with the certification or specialization requirements by the end of the extension period, Cisco reserves the right to revoke the applicable specialization or certification immediately. Additional information regarding non-compliance may be found in the Audit and Policies Document.

Account Manger | Systems Engineer | Field Engineer | Apply or Renew

Specialization Requirements

Three roles are required for the Advanced Unified Communications Specialization:

  • Account Manager (AM)
  • Systems Engineer (SE)
  • Field Engineer (FE)

These roles provide a roadmap with training content and exams that are tailored to pertinent jobs within a company. Following is a summary of training format, cost, and duration specifically for each role, as well as additional general training requirements. All costs are estimated and may vary by region.

Account Manager

Responsible for sales methodology and customer engagement.

Prerequisite: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Sales Expert (#646-205 CSE or #646-206 CSE) Exam $80 60 min
Requirement(s): Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Advanced IP Communications Sales Specialist
(#646-230)
(#650-393)

Exam
Exam

$150
$80

60 min
45 min
Recommended Training: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Sales Essentials v5.0 E-Learning $0 6 hrs
Advanced Unified Communications Account Manager (AUCAM) E-Learning $0 3 hrs
Cisco Lifecycle Services Express E-Learning $0 3 hrs
Total: $310 25 hrs

Role Sharing Guidelines:

One qualified individual may fill only the AM role in up to 4 technology specializations.

Systems Engineer

Presales engineer responsible for Unified Communications solution planning and design.

Prerequisite: Format Cost (USD) Duration
CCDA associate-level certification
or
CCDP or CCIE
Exam $125 90 min
Requirement(s):
Cisco IP Telephony Design Specialist
(#642-416)
(#650-251)
(#642-642)

Exam
Exam
Exam

$150
$80
$150

90 min
45 min
90 min
Recommended Training: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Unified Communications Architecture and Design (UCAD) Instructor-led $3195 5 days
Cisco Lifecycle Services for Advanced Unified Communications E-Learning $0 3 hrs
Implementing Cisco Quality of Service (QoS) Instructor-led $3295 3 hrs
Total: $6995 10 days, 8 hrs

Role Sharing Guidelines:

One qualified individual, may fill only the SE role in up to a total of 2 technology specializations.

Field Engineer

Post-sales engineer responsible for Unified Communications solution implementation and operation

Prerequisite:
CCNP Voice (formerly CCVP) certification
or
CCIE
Exam $625 405 min
Requirement(s): Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Lifecycle Services for Advanced Unified Communications   (#650-251) Exam $80 45 min
Recommended Training: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Lifecycle Services for Advanced Unified Communications E-Learning $0 3 hrs
Total: $705 11 hrs

Role Sharing Guidelines:

One qualified individual, may fill only the FE role in up to a total of 2 technology specializations.

Training Requirements Not Allocated to Job Roles

Additional Cisco Qualified Specialist Requirements

Important Update: New Cisco Qualified Specialist (CQS) Training Requirements Effective July 16, 2012

In addition to the preceding unique individual role requirements, the following four Cisco Qualified Specialist badges are required:
Cisco Rich Media Communications Specialist
Prerequisite: Format Cost (USD) Duration
CCNA certification
or
CCNP or CCIE
Exam $250 110 min
Requirement(s): Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Rich Media Communications Specialist
(#642-481)
(#642-437)

Exam
Exam

$150
$150

90 min
75 min
Recommended Training: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Implementing Cisco IP Video Conference Rich Media Communications (ICRMC) E-Learning $0 12 hrs
Implementing Cisco Unified Communications Voice over IP and QoS v8.0 Instructor-led $3395 5 days
Total: $3945 5 days, 17 hrs
Cisco IP Contact Center Express Specialist
Prerequisite: Format Cost (USD) Duration
here are no prerequisites for this role. - - -
Requirement(s): Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco IP Contact Center Express Specialist
(#642-165)
Exam $150 75 min
Recommended Training: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Deploying Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (UCCXD) v4.0 Instructor-led $3295 5 days
Total: $3445 5 days, 2 hrs
Cisco Unity Support Specialist
Prerequisite: Format Cost (USD) Duration
None
Requirement(s): Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Unity Support Specialist
(#642-263)
Exam $150 75 min
Recommended Training: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Implementing Cisco Unity Connection (IUC) v7.0 Instructor-led $3495 4 days
Total: $3645 4 days, 2 hrs
Cisco Unity Design Specialist
Prerequisite: Format Cost (USD) Duration
CCDA associate-level certification
or
CCDP or CCIE
Exam $125 90 min
Requirement(s): Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Unity Design Specialist
(#642-072)
Exam $150 75 min
Recommended Training: Format Cost (USD) Duration
Cisco Unity Design and Networking Instructor-led $2795 4 days
Total: $3070 4 days, 9 hrs

Role Sharing Guidelines:

These roles are not allocated. Individuals with the preceding Cisco Qualified Specialist badges can meet this requirement, whether or not they are filling the required job roles (AM, SE, or FE). The online application verifies only that someone from the company holds these badges.

Country Requirements:

Learn more about Country Groupings

See specialization requirements in a consolidated view

Apply:

  1. Visit the "Become a Registered Partner" page if you are new to the Cisco Channel Partner Program and have not registered.
  2. Verify that the certified individuals fulfilling job roles are allocated to your company with their CSCO identification number. Partner Administrators and internal Cisco employees (associated through the CAM Assignment tool) are able to verify this information using the Partner Self Service tool. (Cisco usually receives exam results in 5 to 10 business days.)
  3. Complete and submit the Specialization application.
    If you encounter any issues in the application or renewal process, please open a case with the Partner Relationship Team.

Renew:

To renew a specialization:

  1. Begin the recertification process 90 days before your anniversary date.
  2. Verify that you are in compliance with the current specialization requirements.
  3. Submit your application using the Certification and Specialization Application online web tool.

You must meet all requirements to submit your application. If you encounter any issues in the application or renewal process, open a case with the Cisco Partner Relationship Team.

If you fail to submit a recertification application within 10 days after your anniversary date, you will lose your specialization.

Note: If a partner does not remain in compliance with the applicable specialization or certification requirements, Cisco reserves the right to revoke the specialization or certification at any time. Partners must notify Cisco of its non-compliance promptly, but in no event more than thirty (30) days after partner first becomes aware of its non-compliance. Upon receipt of such notice, partner may qualify for an extension of time in which to renew its compliance with the applicable specialization or certification requirements. Partner's failure to provide such notice may disqualify partner from receiving such an extension. If no extension is granted or if partner fails to comply with the certification or specialization requirements by the end of the extension period, Cisco reserves the right to revoke the applicable specialization or certification immediately. Additional information regarding non-compliance may be found in the Audit and Policies Document.

Requirements | Apply or Renew

Read: Master Unified Communications Specialization Requirements Update

The Master Unified Communications Specialization is for a specific group of partners who have in-depth technology skills. These partners also have demonstrated customer success in more sophisticated, value-added Cisco Unified Communications solutions, including:

  • Sales
  • Deployment
  • Services

Partners with a highly qualified Unified Communications practice can achieve a Master Unified Communications Specialization regardless of certification level.

Master Unified Communications Specialization

Step 1: Pre-Audit Validation
These requirements will be validated remotely before the onsite audit is scheduled

Requirement Evidence
Advanced Unified Communications Specialization or Advanced Collaboration Architecture Specialization Partner must hold the Advanced Unified Communications specialization.
Check is done via an internal system validation through the Certification & Specialization Application (CSApp) web tool.
CCIE Voice Assign individual in CSApp.
One Project Management Certification: PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) or OGC PRINCE2 The partner uploads the certificate into the Certification and Specialization Application.
Customer references: Documentation to validate five* sophisticated deployments based on specific qualifying Unified Communications criteria (see Master Security and Unified Communications Customer Reference Checklist). Complete the customer reference document, which includes customer reference account deployment summaries, for the five* customer references.

*Recertification applications require three customer references

Cisco Channel Systems Engineer (SE) reviews the Customer Reference document and validates deployments. The Cisco Channel SE must upload the customer reference checklist into CSApp. Review and validation of the customer reference checklist is indicated by the Channel SE upload.
Step 2: Onsite Audit
After your application has been validated by a Cisco Certification Program Manager, he or she will forward your application to the third-party auditing firm who will contact you to arrange an audit date.
Requirement Preparation
Onsite Audit Capabilities Validation All requirements for the onsite audit are found in the Cisco Channel Program Audit & Policies document. Please prepare accordingly.
Onsite Audit Demonstration Be prepared to perform a demonstration as per the Master Unified Communications Demonstration Guidelines document.
Need Assistance?
Problem Action
Need additional information? Visit the training and tools page to view the Partner Preparedness and Demo Solution VoDs, and other documentation to help you.
If you are having issues with your online application, or Cisco online web tools: Open a support case
If you have questions, issues, or concerns with regard to the audit process, demonstration requirements, or other issues related to this qualification: Please contact your Partner Account Manager or Systems Engineer or
send an email to master-specializations@cisco.com.

Certification and specialization is based on meeting all requirements within a given country, or country grouping where relevant. Cisco invites those partners who do business in multiple countries to consider the Multinational Master Program

Apply:

  1. Review the requirements in the Cisco Channel Program Audit and Policies document.
  2. Review the terms and conditions and program policies in the appendix of the audit and policies document.
  3. Confirm that you have all the necessary documentation and have met all prerequisites.
  4. Complete and submit the specialization application.
  5. Prepare for the onsite audit and demonstration

Renew:

You have 90 days before your anniversary date to begin the recertification process. At that point, you will notice that your status has moved from "Approved" to "Re-Cert" in the Certification and Specialization Application online web tool. If you fail to submit a recertification application within 30 days after your anniversary date, you will lose your specialization.

To renew your Master specialization:

  1. Verify that you have met all recertification requirements.
  2. Verify that your Advanced Unified Communications Specialization is active and in compliance.
  3. Verify the expiration dates of the certified personnel (CCIE Voice, industry certification, PMP, or PRINCE2).
  4. Submit your recertification application in the Certification and Specialization Application tool.
  5. Upload five customer references in the Certification and Specialization Application tool.

You must meet all requirements to submit your application.

If you fail to submit a recertification application within 30 days after your anniversary date, you will lose your specialization.