Cisco seeks SOHO market with new consumer partner program

The Cisco Consumer Channel Network (Cisco CCN) program gives resellers benefits and incentives for selling the Linksys by Cisco product line of Connected Home Products.

Cisco home networking solutions include wireless routers, network storage, networked entertainment solutions, internet cameras, adapters, home network management software and more.

According to Graeme Reardon, regional director A/NZ, this is the ‘first true reseller program dedicated to home networking products’.

“We have found that resellers want a program that focuses on consumer products and provides training, sales and marketing tools as well as benefits to enhance their business for their home based office clients, high tech home customers and very small business owners with about five employees,” said Reardon.

“This is a program in its first phase and we’ll be bringing additional features and offerings over the coming year,” he added.

In return for joining the program, resellers will receive training, tech support, marketing resources and a CCN Registered Partner Logo.

To qualify, resellers must possess a current government issued reseller tax identification number and a valid account with a Cisco Authorised Distributor.

A new website has also been launched to give resellers a portal for registering into the program www.linksysbycisco.com.au

In addition to the new partner program, Cisco has unveiled the Cisco Device Connections Program (Cisco DCP), which enables manufacturers to use the Home Network Administration Protocol (HNAP) in variety of network connected devices.

Also launched at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is the Linksys by Cisco Media Hub and Linksys by Cisco Wireless Home Audio system.

“We have built the Media Hub to be simple to set up and use for the mainstream consumer, but is also powerful in functionality and capabilities for the more tech-savvy user,” said Greg Memo, vice president and general manager, products, Cisco Consumer Business Group.

“All the features that are needed to eliminate the complexity of managing digital media collections with multiple computers and devices in the home are included.

“The Media Hub is the central location you go to for access to your media, without concern for whether the file is stored on your Mac, your child’s PC, or on your DLNA devices,” he added.