Cisco launches cloud partner programme

Vendor unveils three-tiered scheme at global partner conference

Cisco has unleashed its first cloud-based partner programme and competency at its worldwide partner summit.

The event, taking place this week in New Orleans, was used to unveil the three-layered programme. The first tier focuses on those partners that build and manage cloud infrastrucutres. The second on those that develop and deploy cloud services, and the third on those that simply resell cloud services.

Supporting the programme is the new Cloud Ready Infrastructure Competency, which aims to verify partners' skills on Cisco technology, as well as third-party applications.

Edison Peres (pictured), Cisco's vice president of worldwide channels, said: "In the next two to three years, most opportunities will come from building out private and public clouds; someone has to build out the highway before you can put cars on it."

Stay tuned to ChannelWeb throughout this week for all the news from the Cisco 2011 partner summit.