Why Do Architectures Matter?

During the many events I attend each year, we hear one consistent piece of feedback from Cisco partners: to get a better understanding of the solutions that will make them more profitable. The great news? Opportunities are limitless, particularly in our three core focus areas – security, data center and cloud, and enterprise networks.

Developing a deeper knowledge of these architectures will help you sell, market and distribute more efficiently. It will also help you ask deeper questions and challenge our team to innovate and refine our offerings. We’ve had many exciting announcements in the past few weeks. In case you missed them, here is a quick recap:

Cisco Firepower 2011 Series NGFW

Our mid-market customers are using Cisco Firepower 2100 Series NGFW to improve analytics and threat intelligence. We’re helping to make their network security more insightful and effective—so they can see a threat in one spot and block it elsewhere – even across different products. This announcement is coming off the heels of RSA, where we introduced a new market category for security— the secure internet gateway (SIG). Cisco’s SIG, Umbrella, provides the first line of defense against threats on the internet wherever users go, even when the VPN is off.

DNA Advisor Program

As you know, Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA) is a major shift in networking that drives security, analytics, and automation deep into the infrastructure. New products and services in Digital Network Architecture (DNA) security and virtualization further enrich the foundation offering to customers. We’re enabling partners to drive a digital transformation strategy discussion and be a real trusted advisor through .  Now is the time to get  your customers excited about building the right digital foundation for their business. And don’t forget that our  DNA offers can help accelerate successful deployments by offloading costs and providing compelling financing.

Hyperflex All Flash Hyperconvergence for UCS

At Cisco Live Australia a couple weeks ago, we announced the HyperFlex All Flash Hyperconvergence, which powers high performance workloads on the Unified Computing System (UCS).  This All Flash solution will enable customers to scale the type of VDI-based workloads that can run on HyperFlex.  Now, you can sell the new HyperFlex All Flash nodes, 40GB UCS Fabrics, and offer the new UCS Management interface to customers.

Introducing Docker Alliance to Deliver Essential Container Capabilities
Cisco recently announced a strategic alliance with Docker to create the first enterprise solution for IT operational control. Together with you, our ecosystem and channel partners, we are working to ensure that Docker Datacenter works seamlessly for applications deployed across hybrid cloud, converged infrastructure, and Cisco servers. We are pursuing a phased approach of delivering solutions that span a number of products addressing a wide range of requirements, starting with Contiv, Docker Datacenter on UCS CVD, and Docker Datacenter on FlexPod CVD. Not only does this solution offer developer agility, it also allows for portability of Dockerized applications and on-premises deployment.

For more information about these launches and announcements, visit the Global Launch Hub on SalesConnect.

Tune into Partner Connection Week

Later this month, we’ll be hosting top partners from the Americas and EMEAR at Partner Connection Week in Miami. We’ll be diving deeper into key architectures and technologies — security, data center and cloud, and enterprise networks — to get to the heart of what matters: transforming customer business while accelerating your growth. Get a look into the week’s highlights by watching my short video:

https://youtu.be/2YjG8AB4MLg

If you’re unable to join us live, we’ll make the sessions available on SalesConnect in early April. There will be important announcements that affect all partners and customers, so please mark your calendars! In the meantime, follow me on Twitter (@NSheth_Ahimsa) for live updates.

Start your engines – it will be FULL SPEED to accelerate your business. Whether you’ll be with us in Miami or following along remotely, join the conversation on Twitter by using #CiscoPCW, tagging @CiscoPartners and following our Facebook Live videos on the Cisco Partners page. See you in Miami!