Cisco partners across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa are preparing to seize the opportunities presented by the upcoming Cisco 360 Partner Programme, according to research conducted by Comstor, the Cisco-focused arm of global distributor Westcon-Comstor.
Comstor surveyed partners and found that 78% are aware of Cisco 360, set to launch in early 2026. More than half of respondents described themselves as somewhat prepared, while 15% said they are very prepared for the programme’s rollout.
Cisco 360 is described as the most significant evolution of its partner programme in nearly three decades. It consolidates multiple incentive and rebate schemes into a single Cisco Partner Incentive and reduces partner statuses from four to two: Cisco Partner and Cisco Preferred Partner.
“Our research shows strong enthusiasm among partners and a clear appetite to close knowledge gaps,” says Steven Heinsius, Comstor
Partners see multiple benefits. Among those aware of Cisco 360, 33% cited a more streamlined way of doing business with Cisco as the biggest opportunity, while 15% highlighted potential revenue growth through expanded Cisco offerings. Other key areas include building full-lifecycle solutions and developing Managed Service Provider (MSP) practices.
However, nearly a third of partners indicated a need for more education on programme benefits. Training and enablement to improve Partner Value Index (PVI) scores—essential for unlocking rebates and incentives—was identified as a critical area where distributor support is required.
To support partners, Comstor has launched enablement tools, including a simplified Cisco 360 playbook and a dedicated team of experts providing tailored guidance through one-to-one sessions. This is designed to accelerate partners’ readiness and help them differentiate in a competitive market.
“The launch of Cisco 360 represents a once-in-a-generation shift in Cisco’s channel strategy, with major implications for partners. Everything we’re doing at Comstor is to simplify and amplify the programme and empower partners to build future-ready business models,” said Steven Heinsius, Vice President, Product Management and Marketing EMEA, Comstor at Westcon-Comstor.
The research underscores a strong awareness and enthusiasm among Cisco partners as they prepare for a transformative programme that promises to simplify operations, unlock growth, and sharpen the focus on end-user needs.
