Become a Collaboration Architecture Specialized Partner
Cisco Collaboration Architecture Specialization tests knowledge in selling, designing, installing, and supporting the Collaboration Architecture.
Collaboration Architecture Specializations
| Entry | Express | Advanced | Master |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Related certifications: Advanced Collaboration Architecture is not currently required for certification, but will be required for Gold certification and optional for Silver and Premier after August, 2012. | |||
The Cisco Collaboration Architecture Specialization helps your company:
- Develop sales, technical, and service capabilities for integrated networking solutions
- Increase technical competency within your company
- Achieve recognition as a Specialized Partner in the Cisco Partner Locator
This specialization also entitles you to a range of additional benefits. You can:
- Participate in Cisco channel incentive programs
- Receive invitations to Cisco sponsored partner events
- Access Partner Education Connection
- Use My Cisco to personalize web content and get information quickly
- Send a press release for your accomplishment
- Visit the Design Zone for tested designs and configurations
Account Manager | Architecture Systems Engineer | Field Engineer
Specialization Requirements
There are three required roles for the Advanced Collaboration Architecture Specialization: account manager, architecture systems engineer, and field engineer plus 3 additional Cisco Qualified Specialist (CQS) roles.
The roles provide a targeted roadmap with training content and exams tailored to the types of jobs these individuals would perform in a company. All costs are approximate and may vary by region.
Account Manager
Responsible for sales methodology and customer engagement.
| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco Sales Expert (#646-205 CSE or #646-206 CSE) | Exam | $80 | 60 min |
| Requirement(s): | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Sales Specialist for Collaboration Architecture | |||
| #650-367 PSACAS Exam Details | Exam | $65 | 60 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Cisco Sales Essentials (CSE) v5.0 or v6.0 (to match exam) | v5 E-learning v6 E-learning |
$0 | 5 hrs |
| QuickStart for Collaboration Architecture | E-learning | $0 | 2 hrs |
| Selling the Collaboration Architecture | E-learning | $0 | 6 hrs |
| Total: | $145 | 15 hrs | |
Role Sharing Guidelines:One qualified individual may fill only the account manager role in up to two architecture specializations. |
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Architecture Systems Engineer
Presales engineer responsible for Collaboration Architecture solution planning and design. Possesses both business and technical skills. Understands customer business needs and issues, business process and transformation.
| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
CCDA associate-level certification |
Exam | $125 | 90 min |
| Required Certification: | |||
| Collaboration Architecture Design Specialist | |||
| #650-369 PSACASE Exam Details | Exam | $65 | 60 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| QuickStart for Collaboration Architecture | E-learning | $0 | 2 hrs |
| Selling the Collaboration Architecture | E-learning | $0 | 6 hrs |
| Collaboration Architecture Technology | E-learning | $0 | 4 hrs |
| Total: | $190 | 15 hrs | |
Role Sharing Guidelines:One qualified individual may fill only the Architecture Systems Engineer (ASE) role in up to two architecture specializations. |
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Field Engineer 1
Post-sales engineer responsible for Collaboration Architecture solution implementation and operation.
| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCNP-Voice (or CCVP) professional-level certification or CCIE-Voice |
Exam | $625 | 405 min |
| Requirement(s): | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Collaboration Support Specialist 1 | |||
| #650-368 PSACAFE Exam Details | Exam | $65 | 45 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Collaboration Architecture Technology | E-learning | $0 | 4 hrs |
| Total: | $690 | 12 hrs | |
Role Sharing Guidelines:The person filling the Collaboration field engineer role, cannot fill roles in other architecture specializations (Borderless Network or Data Center). Role sharing in technology specialization(s) has no impact on architecture specialization(s). |
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Training Requirements Not Allocated to Job Roles
Additional Cisco Qualified Specialist Requirements
Important Update: New Cisco Qualified Specialist (CQS) Training Requirements Effective July 16, 2012
In addition to the above unique individual role requirements, the following three Cisco Qualified Specialist badges are required. All costs are approximate and may vary by region.| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCNA associate-level certification or CCNP or CCIE |
Exam | $250 | 110 min |
| Requirement(s): | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| 1. Cisco Rich Media Communications Specialist | |||
| #642-481 CRMC Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 90 min |
| #642-437 Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 75 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Implementing Cisco IP Video Conference Rich Media Communications (ICRMC) | E-learning | $0 | 12 hrs |
| Cisco Voice over IP (CVOICE v8.0) | Instructor-led | $3,395 | 32 hrs |
| Total: | $3,945 | 49 hrs | |
| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| There are no prerequisites for this Cisco Qualified Specialist. | - | - | - |
| Requirement(s): | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| 2. Cisco IP Contact Center Express Specialist | |||
| #642-165 UCCX Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 75 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Deploying Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (UCCXD) v4.0 | Instructor-led | $3,295 | 32 hrs |
| Total: | $3,445 | 34 hrs | |
| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| There are no prerequisites for this Cisco Qualified Specialist. | - | - | - |
| Requirement(s): | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| 3. Cisco Unity Support Specialist | |||
| #642-263 IUC Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 75 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Implementing Cisco Unity Connection (IUC) 8.0 | Instructor-led | $3,495 | 32 hrs |
| Total: | $3,645 | 34 hrs | |
Role Sharing Guidelines:These roles are not allocated. Any individual(s) who holds the above Cisco Qualified Specialist badges can meet this requirement, regardless of whether or not they are filling the required job roles (account manager, systems engineer, or field engineer). The online application only checks that someone from the company holds these badges. |
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Country Requirements:Learn more about Country Groupings |
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Do you currently hold Advanced Unified Communications? See the requirement gaps to achieve the Collaboration Architecture specialization.
Your company must be a Cisco Registered Partner before you apply for specialization or certification. Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the "Become a Registered Partner" page if you are new to the Cisco Channel Partner Program and have not registered.
- Verify that the certified individuals fulfilling job roles are allocated to your company with their CSCO testing number. Partner Administrators and internal Cisco employees (associated through the CAM Assignment tool) are able to verify this information using the Partner Self Service tool . (It takes five to ten business days on average for Cisco to receive the exam results data from its respective testing agencies.)
- Complete and submit the Specialization application.
If you encounter any issues in the application or renewal process, please open a case with the Partner Relationship Team.
To renew a specialization:
- Begin the recertification process 90 days before your anniversary date.
- Verify that you are in compliance with the current specialization requirements.
- Submit your application using the Certification and Specialization Application online web tool.
You must meet all requirements to submit your application. If you encounter any issues in the application or renewal process, open a case with the Cisco Partner Relationship Team.
If you fail to submit a recertification application within 10 days after your anniversary date, you will lose your specialization.
Note: If a partner does not remain in compliance with the applicable specialization or certification requirements, Cisco reserves the right to revoke the specialization or certification at any time. Partners must notify Cisco of its non-compliance promptly, but in no event more than thirty (30) days after partner fi rst becomes aware of its non-compliance. Upon receipt of such notice, partner may qualify for an extension of time in which to renew its compliance with the applicable specialization or certification requirements. Partner's failure to provide such notice may disqualify partner from receiving such an extension. If no extension is granted or if partner fails to comply with the certification or specialization requirements by the end of the extension period, Cisco reserves the right to revoke the applicable specialization or certification immediately. Additional information regarding non-compliance may be found in the Audit and Policies Document.