The communications services sector is currently experiencing a significant transformation driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies, and the convergence of cloud and on-premises solutions. These rapid changes have resulted in increased expectations from both customers and market dynamics. As a response, Cisco service providers have a prime opportunity to present unique, outcome-based solutions tailored to various industries.

Today’s customers are not only demanding but also expect flexible consumption models and seamless service delivery. Service providers are perfectly positioned to rise to this challenge, transforming into trusted advisors who guide their clients through complex landscapes to achieve optimal outcomes.

Cisco’s Vision for Partner Development

Cisco is dedicated to supporting our service provider partners as they navigate this evolving market landscape and seize new opportunities. Our strategy rests on three core objectives:

  • Enhancing partners’ market reach
  • Simplifying collaboration with Cisco
  • Providing the flexibility necessary for cloud migration and AI integration

This strategic focus signifies more than just an extension of offerings; it is a comprehensive shift in how we approach partner engagement.

We are actively reshaping our packaging, commercialization, and support strategies to better align with the hybrid nature of modern deployments for service providers and their customers. Cisco acknowledges that partners and customers are balancing the need for cloud migration with the optimization of existing assets. Our strategy is designed to facilitate this balance, whether they are operating services on-premises, in the cloud, or across both environments.

Introducing Webex Wholesale: A Strategic Advantage

At the heart of Cisco’s strategy is the Webex Wholesale model. This innovative offering unites Cisco’s renowned BroadWorks platform with the agility and innovation of Webex cloud services, creating a unified go-to-market model. This approach empowers partners to deliver advanced collaboration experiences swiftly and effortlessly.

Webex Wholesale streamlines the integration process for service providers, enabling them to scale and differentiate their offerings effectively. Key benefits of this model include:

  • Consumption-Based Billing: A predictable pricing model based on per-user and per-month rates, allowing partners to manage costs effectively and scale services seamlessly.
  • API-First Architecture: This feature facilitates seamless integration with partner systems, enhancing operational efficiency and enabling automation while supporting the creation of unique services.
  • Co-Branded Offers: Partners can merge their brand with Cisco’s trusted Webex portfolio, enhancing customer perception and accelerating market entry.
  • Simplified Management: A unified partner portal coupled with automation tools reduces provisioning and operational overhead, leading to improved customer care.
  • Access to Webex Innovations: Partners can utilize the latest AI and cloud-powered services from Webex, designed for quick commercialization and rapid time-to-value.

With Webex Wholesale, partners can capitalize on their existing infrastructure, such as BroadWorks, while simultaneously integrating modern cloud services, which enhances their time-to-market and reduces operational burdens.

Flexible Deployment Options Across Platforms

Cisco endorses a flexible portfolio deployment strategy spanning three primary platforms:

  • Partner-hosted solutions (e.g., Cisco BroadWorks)
  • Cisco-hosted solutions (e.g., Webex in the Cisco cloud)
  • Customer-owned solutions (e.g., CUCM)

Partners have the flexibility to deploy or resell any of these platforms individually or in combination. The Webex Wholesale model acts as a cohesive force, simplifying the technical and commercial integration of these platforms. This unique flexibility sets Cisco apart, enabling partners to deliver exceptional collaboration solutions that adapt to customer needs and align with their existing infrastructure and cloud strategies.

New Services to Enhance Customer Experience

In our ongoing commitment to delivering high-value innovations swiftly, we are excited to announce that Customer Assist and AI Receptionist, originally developed for Webex Calling, will soon be accessible through Cisco BroadWorks via the Wholesale model.

  • Customer Assist: This intelligent contact center solution, integrated into the Webex App, provides features such as queue management, analytics, screen-pop, and AI-driven insights like call summaries and sentiment analysis, all without necessitating a full Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) deployment.
  • AI Receptionist: Utilizing advanced natural language understanding and voice recognition, this service automatically greets and routes callers, enhancing the caller experience and eliminating the need for live operators.

These offerings exemplify the advantages of Webex Wholesale, providing impactful innovations that are easy for BroadWorks operators to deploy, commercialize, and manage while delivering superior customer experiences.

Simplifying Business Operations with Cisco

By evolving the Wholesale model, Cisco is committed to reducing complexity and friction for our partners through a consistent approach to delivering and supporting a combination of partner-hosted, Cisco-hosted, and customer-owned products. Key advantages include:

  • Simplified Procurement: Engage with a single Cisco team across various segments, with flexible spending options that allow for shifts between infrastructure and cloud.
  • Unified Platform Experience: A consistent experience with devices, software, and management tools across customer segments.
  • Streamlined Engagement: A single contract structure for Cisco’s communications software, hardware, peripherals, and cloud services.

Innovation at Every Level of Collaboration

Cisco integrates AI and cloud innovation into every aspect of the collaboration experience—from devices and applications to the underlying infrastructure. This comprehensive approach allows our service provider partners to differentiate themselves in the market by offering smart, tailored services that meet the evolving expectations of today’s customers.

Together Towards Growth

This article builds upon our earlier vision for BroadWorks and the opportunities available to service providers. Today, that vision is materializing through the Webex Wholesale model.

Whether your objectives include increasing average revenue per user (ARPU), branching into new verticals, or scaling services across different regions, Cisco is dedicated to helping you achieve success. Let’s work together to shape the future of communications.

Source Article: https://blog.webex.com/collaboration/helping-service-provider-partners-broaden-market-reach/

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