Linksys Restructures Partner Program, Adds Hosted Providers

Linksys plans to roll out a restructured Linksys Partner Connection (LPC) program in August, the Cisco Systems Inc. division said Wednesday.

The equipment maker said it wants to become more efficient for its channel partners selling the Business Series and Linksys One products to SMBs. Linksys also said it will align partner programs and other initiatives with Cisco.

The company also said Wednesday that Linksys One platforms would be availabile through Hosted Solution Provider Partners and authorized VARS.

Improvements to the LPC will include a tiering structure for partners specializing in routing, switching and wireless technologies, storage, voice products and Linksys One. Other new benefits include rewarding partners for investing in pre-sales and post-sales resources, technical expertise and ongoing service capabilities.

Linksys- and Cisco-registered channel partners will be part of the same community so they can access both companies’ unrestricted products. Linksys said it also will take advantage of Cisco’s global distribution reach.

The two will link the Cisco Certified Partner designations with Linksys Business Elite Partner status in the coming months.

Keith Goodwin, senior vice president of worldwide channels at Cisco, said, the plan makes sense because, together, Cisco and Linksys offer the most products and services for SMBs.

“By working together to address the diverse small business market we can provide incremental value and profitability to the channel partners that cater to this segment,” he said.

Existing Linksys Partners will be asked to re-register for the new LPC initiative. There will be a grace period of six months to re-register in the United States and Canada. The program will be introduced to other regions throughout the next year.

Linksys also unveiled a new software release and three products for its Linksys One platform.

The new products are The Cisco Service Node for Linksys One XA Series; the Linksys One Wireless-G ADSL/Ethernet Services Router with 4-Port PoE Switch and 1 FXS + 1 FXO; and the Linksys One (2) Port T1/E1 Services Router With 24-Port PoE Switch (SVR3500).

Among the 35 new features added to the Linksys One software are a PBX designed to support up to 100 users, multisite voice and data capabilities, and the ability to move a call between a Linksys One phone and another device.

Linksys One is available from Hosted Solution Providers that provide Internet connectivity, IP voice services and other applications over a broadband connection, and in conjunction with authorized VARs who provide and install the platform's data networking or VoIP phone equipment directly on-site. Additionally, HSPs and VARs have the ability to remotely manage some or all of the Linksys One devices on the customer’s network, the company said.

Cisco Systems Inc. www.cisco.com
Linksys www.linksys.com