What is Cisco Doing to Support AI-Ready Data Centres?

Cisco has launched its new Cisco 360 Partner Program, designed to strengthen collaboration across its global partner ecosystem and accelerate AI outcomes for customers.

Announced in San Jose, the programme has been co-designed with partners over the past 15 months. 

Cisco says it will better equip developers, consultants, managed services providers and resellers to deliver customer outcomes across AI-ready data centres, future-proofed workplaces and digital resilience.

The company is also introducing a new Partner Locator tool, enabling customers to search for specialists across key Cisco portfolios including Security, Networking, Collaboration, Services, Splunk and Cloud and AI Infrastructure.

Tim Coogan, Senior Vice President of Global Partner Sales at Cisco, says: “With our partners, we’ve strengthened what is already a world-class ecosystem to deliver even greater value and help our mutual customers connect, protect and thrive.

Nicko Roussos, Senior Vice President, Cisco Strategy & Transformation at TD Synnex, adds: "The Cisco 360 Partner Program helps us differentiate based on our expertise. We appreciate that we’re measured on the value we bring; that only benefits our mutual customers."

Supporting AI-ready infrastructure

Cisco says the programme responds to increasing demand for AI-ready data centre environments, as organisations look to modernise infrastructure and deploy AI-native capabilities.

The company’s AI Readiness Index highlights that being prepared for AI is becoming a competitive advantage. 

Cisco believes achieving this requires expert partners able to deliver secure, agile infrastructure and services across the customer lifecycle.

Elisabeth De Dobbeleer, Senior Vice President, Cisco Partner Program, says: “The Cisco 360 Partner Program was designed with partners to foster collective success, enable differentiation and help partners scale with confidence. It’s about making our ecosystem’s unique value clear to the market and our customers.” 

New incentives and partner designations

A key element of the new programme is the Cisco Partner Incentive, now live, which streamlines previous programme components to offer partners clearer and more predictable earnings.

Cisco said the incentive is designed to align partner go-to-market strategies with its product roadmap while helping partners plan for growth across its portfolio.

The programme also introduces new partner designations to help customers identify providers with the right technical and delivery capabilities. 

All participants will be recognised as registered Cisco Partners, while Portfolio Partners and Preferred Partners will reflect increasing levels of maturity, lifecycle support and end-to-end solution delivery.

Kevin Brown, Vice President, Partner Management at Insight, says: “Insight is fully aligned with the Cisco Partner 360 Program and its focus on delivering meaningful customer outcomes. 

“This approach reflects how we engage every day – leaning in to solve complex business challenges and accelerate transformation. Together, we are positioned to create even greater impact and measurable value for our shared customers.” 

Expanded partner resources

Cisco is also rolling out additional tools and resources aimed at helping partners grow their offerings in AI-ready data centre and infrastructure markets. These include temporary CPI bonuses focused on Secure Networking and Secure AI Infrastructure specialisations, available until the end of July 2026.

Partner Value Indexes will expand to include tailored measurement frameworks for different partner types, including developers, advisors and mass-scale infrastructure providers. 

Cisco is also introducing a Distributor Development Fund to strengthen alignment with distributors and support partner enablement.

Lane Irvine, Director, Strategic Alliances at Long View Systems, says: “We’ve already actively engaged in the Cisco 360 Partner Program leading up to the launch and are already seeing the benefits of the Cisco Partner Incentive Estimator for planning. 

“This insight plays a critical role in ensuring we deliver the most competitive solutions to our customers.” 

An enhanced Cisco AI Assistant within the Partner Experience Platform will also provide more intuitive support to help partners operate more efficiently.

Alex Schank, Senior Partner Operations at Pomeroy Technologies, comments: “Cisco has invested significant time and effort in the redesign of this program. While there was understandable hesitation at the start, it's clear that the refinements made along the way have strengthened the overall approach. 

“I especially appreciate that partner feedback was actively listened to and thoughtfully actioned throughout the process.”

Building profitability through AI partnerships

Cisco contends that the Cisco 360 Partner Program is intended to create stronger differentiation, drive partner profitability and support customers navigating AI transformation.

Anurag Agrawal, Founder and Chief Global Analyst at Techaisle, concludes: “Cisco 360 is a bridge to the new partner model: high-touch, high-value, outcome-based and AI-ready.

"The partners who embrace the Partner Value Index not as a scorecard but as a business plan will find that 2026 is not a year of consolidation but of unprecedented profitability.”