The accelerated pace of digital transformation and changing business requirements from customers mean that partners are needed “more than ever”, according to Cisco’s partner boss.
Oliver Tuszik, SVP of Cisco’s Global Partner Organisation, told attendees of the Cisco Live event that partners need to review where they add value to their needs and how they can ensure that their solution ensures long-term customer loyalty.
“How can you (customers) solve these common challenges in your business? How do you get value from these amazing technologies? It’s very simple: you need a bridge and the key to getting real value is with Cisco partners,” he stated.
“Customers, you need our partners to extend our innovations to address your unique business needs, and partners, you must define what value you can add; what is your edge? How can you stay relevant during these changing times so you can solve today’s customer problems and get ready for the future? Together, we can increase the value for our customers using the combination of Cisco and our partners unique capabilities.”
Tuszik acknowledged the trends and challenges thrown up by the events of the past year, citing customers struggling with the complexity of integrating multiple systems and new technologies, as well as those reconsidering their company culture as flexible working is set to become the norm when office working returns.
“The technologies behind any digital transformation are more complex than ever before,” Tuszik told customers.
“Each of you is dealing with private and public clouds, the need to manage an increasing number of workloads and ensuring end–to–end security across the enterprise and optimising application performance in a more complex environment. It’s also about figuring out how to ensure a safe return to the office and providing a productive space for workers.
“Bringing this all together with the right strategy for your business is difficult. Many companies – big and small – don’t have the ability to bring all of this innovation together on their own. They need help and support and they also want to have flexibility in how they consume and manage everything.”
Tuszik told attendees to expect announcements around partner-managed security WAN and SASE managed offerings in the coming months.
“Customers need more from Cisco partners than ever before,” he continued.
“For the partners watching today, you have to work to stay agile and relevant. Explore how you can deliver the right value on top of Cisco solutions to expand your success. Our customers want your help to consume and manage technology in new ways, with your managed offering and as–a–service solutions, and with simple flexibility that make it easier to buy and renew. You need to grow your development skills so you can build unique solutions on top of the Cisco platform. This brings added value to customers, increases their loyalty, and helps you develop an edge in the market.
“Innovation will always be key. But I also know that what is most important to you, our customers, is value. Between innovation and value, there’s a bridge. Cisco, together with our partners, make it possible.”
