Cisco has countered claims that its Gold Partner status is losing its shine after the networking giant appointed VAR Minx Technology as its 32nd Gold Partner in the UK.

As CRN exclusively predicted last month, Minx has become the second new Cisco Gold Partner in the period of a few weeks (CRN, 1 June). Reseller CAE Technology Services was also appointed a Cisco Gold Partner last month (CRN, 29 June).

John Donovan, managing director of UK and Ireland channels and SME at Cisco, told CRN he disagrees that Cisco Gold Partner status has lost distinction.

“We have less Gold Partners now than we had five years ago,” he said. “The opportunities in the market still encourage our partners to try and achieve the Gold accreditation.”

Despite having 32 Gold UK partners, Cisco has only eight Silver partners. Donovan insisted that some partners look to progress towards Gold, while others focus on specific vertical markets and maintain a lower partnership status.

John Pepper, managing director of Minx, said many of Cisco’s Gold Partners are owned by other Gold Partners or larger groups.

“The Gold certification is still very difficult to get,” Pepper said. “Thirty-two partners in a market that is exploding is nothing. There is plenty of room for more. I see a trend towards smaller, more specialised Gold Partners joining the programme.”

Paul Renucci, managing director of Cisco Gold Partner Damovo, said: “If there are 30 or so Gold Partners, it is hard to differentiate. But Gold status is still important because it has become a must-have for bidding on certain deals.”

However, Jon Weatherall, country manager of UK and Ireland at rival networking vendor Hewlett-Packard ProCurve, said: “Having 32 Gold Partners means the status is losing some of its prestige, value and differentiation from other partners.”

trevor_treharne@vnu.co.uk