Become a Master Cloud Builder

Expand your data center and cloud opportunities while you increase profitability. (1:15 min).

Become a Master Cloud Builder

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Enterprises, service providers, small businesses, and governments are looking for cloud solutions to solve some of their biggest business and technology challenges. A solution to these challenges requires an approach that fully integrates the three pillars of cloud: cloud applications and services, data centers, and networks.

Building on your Advanced Data Center Architecture Specialization, the exclusive Master Cloud Builder Specialization brings Data Center mainstream by recognizing and rewarding channel partners who have proven capabilities to build and deploy cloud-ready, integrated infrastructures based on Cisco solutions and our technology ecosystem partner cloud offerings across storage, virtualization, cloud management and virtual desktop. By achieving the elite Master Cloud Builder Specialization you will create a strong competitive differentiation and facilitate a new generation of IT and cloud services delivered economically, without compromising security or functionality. This specialization helps you:

Master Cloud Builder
  • Differentiate your organization from other Cisco partners
  • Increase profitability with rebates, and accelerate business and market growth
  • Use the Master Cloud Builder Partner logo to uniquely position your capabilities
  • Benefit from partnerships with Cisco technoloogy ecosystem partners
  • Capture and grow business opportunities in cloud management, virtualization, and desktop virtualization

The Master Cloud Builder Specialization also offers the following incentives:

  • Additional Value Incentive Program rebates
  • Teaming Incentive Program and Opportunity Incentive Program discounts

Requirements

The Cisco Master Cloud Builder 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 Data Center and Cisco Cloud Builder solutions, including:

  • Sales
  • Deployment
  • Services

Partners with a highly qualified data center and cloud practice can achieve a Master Cloud Builder Specialization regardless of certification level.

Master Cloud Builder Specialization Steps

  • Step 1: Pre-Audit Validation

    • These requirements will be validated remotely before the onsite audit is scheduled.
      Requirement Evidence
      Cisco Advanced Data Center Architecture Specialization Partner must hold the Advanced Data Center Architecture Specialization. A check is performed through an internal system validation, through the Certification and Specialization Application (CSApp) online tool.
      Storage Partnership (one or more) EMC Velocity Partner with Consolidate or Advanced Consolidate Specialization. The partner uploads a copy of the certificate into CSApp.
      NetApp Gold, Platinum, or Star Certification. The partner uploads a copy of the certificate into CSApp.
      Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) Gold or Platinum Certification. The partner uploads a copy of the certificate into CSApp.
      Cloud Management (one or more) Cisco Intelligent Automation for Cloud. Validated during audit.
      BMC Cloud Lifecycle Management (CLM). Validated during audit.
      Cisco UCS Director. Validated during audit.
      CA AutoSuite for Cloud. Validated during audit.
      Microsoft Systems Center 2012. Validated during audit.
      VMware vCloud Director. Validated during audit.
      Virtualization (hypervisor) (one or more) VMware Enterprise or Premier Certification. The partner uploads a copy of the certificate into CSApp.
      Citrix Gold or Platinum Certification. The partner uploads a copy of the certificate into CSApp.
      Red Hat Premier or SI Certification. The partner uploads a copy of the certificate into CSApp.
      Microsoft Silver or Gold Certification. The partner uploads a copy of the certificate into CSApp.
      Desktop Virtualization Cisco The partner assigns individuals in CSApp.
      VMware or Citrix (one or more) The partner uploads copies of the appropriate specialist certificates for account manager, systems engineer, and field engineer roles for each vendor into CSApp. Please see table 1 for specialist details. Candidates need not be the same individuals as those holding the Cisco certifications above.
      Virtual Workspace (VXI) Foundation The partner uploads the Training Verification template into CSApp. Please see table 2 for course details. Training attendees MUST be the same individuals holding vendor certifications.
      Integrated Infrastructure (one or more) Vblock (Smart Solution) The partner uploads as part of the customer reference requirement. Validated during audit. Partner must have EMC Storage certification to use this choice.
      FlexPod (Smart Solution) The partner uploads as part of the customer reference requirement. Validated during audit. Partner must have NetApp Storage certification to use this choice.
      ExpressPod (Smart Solution) The partner uploads as part of the customer reference requirement. Validated during audit. Partner must have NetApp Storage certification to use this choice.
      VIA-HDS The partner uploads as part of the customer reference requirement. Validated during audit. Partner must have Hitachi Storage certification to use this choice.
      Customer References: For certification and recertification, partners provide documentation to validate three sophisticated deployments based on specific qualifying data center and cloud criteria. See the Master Cloud Builder Customer Reference Checklist. The partner completes the customer reference document, which includes customer reference account deployment summaries, for the three customer references.

      A Cisco Channel Systems Engineer (SE) reviews the customer reference document and validates deployments. The SE must upload the customer reference checklist into CSApp or sign the copy uploaded by the partner admin. This indicates review and validation of the customer reference checklist.

  • Desktop Virtualization Vendor Certifications (Table 1)

    • VXI Foundation by Partner Role Eco Partner Certification
      Citrix AM Citrix Certified Sales Professional (CCSP)
      SE Citrix CCA Xen Desktop 5
      Citrix CCA Xen App 6
      FE Citrix CCA Xen Desktop 5
      Citrix CCA Xen App 6
      VMware AM VMware Sales Professional 5
      Desktop Virtualization Sales
      SE VMware Technical Sales Professional 5
      DV Technical Sales
      FE VMware Certified Professional 5
      VCP-4 Desktop

  • Desktop Virtualization Training Courses (Table 2)

  • Step 2: Onsite Audit

    • After a Cisco Certification Program Manager validates your application, the manager will forward your application to the third-party auditing firm. That firm 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 and Policies document. Prepare accordingly.
      Onsite Audit Demonstration Be prepared to perform a demonstration as directed by the Master Cloud Builder Demonstration Guidelines document

    • Need Assistance?

    If you need additional information:

    If you have questions about your online application or Cisco online tools:

    If you have questions, problems, or concerns with regard to the audit process, demonstration requirements, or other issues related to this qualification:

    Contact your partner account manager or systems engineer, or
    send an email.

    Certifications and specializations are based on meeting all requirements within a given country, or country grouping where relevant.

    Resources