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Cloud computing promises to transform your network and the way you deliver IT services. But which cloud model is right for you? Make sure your journey takes you in the right direction by completing the Cisco Cloud Profile and Benchmarking Tool.

This resource takes only about 5 minutes and will help you:

• Assess your readiness for cloud computing and define your biggest implementation challenges
• Compare your cloud initiatives to those of your fellow IT decision makers
• Create a customized implementation roadmap that addresses your unique needs
• Identify resources from Cisco and our partners that will accelerate your journey

Register for this free Cloud tool.

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Julia Wiltshire / Marketing Manager, Cisco Solutions / 303-545-1223

Cisco's Unified Data Center architectural framework unifies and dynamically optimizes compute, storage and network resources to help you meet application demands.

Today's data center architecture must support a highly-mobile workforce, proliferation of devices, data-driven business models, and be capable of seamlessly incorporating cloud applications and services. To meet these diverse requirements, Cisco offers the Unified Data Center platform, a unified data center architecture that combines compute, storage, network and management into a platform designed to automate IT as a service across physical and virtual environments, resulting in increased budget efficiency, more agile business responsiveness, and simplified IT operations.

Read more on Evolving to a Unified Data Center Architecture.

Julia Wiltshire / Marketing Manager, Cisco Solutions / 303-545-1223

Check out the world of Cisco Data Center in four easy sessions!

Storage Best Practices with the Nexus 7000
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET

Want to know how to run FCoE on the Nexus 7000? Confused about how the storage VDC works? What about mixing F1 and F2 modules in the same chassis? What are the 'gotchas' that make come up? During the session we'll take a deep-dive session on how best to plan for FCoE storage environments using the Nexus 7000, focusing on designs, configurations, and architecture best practices, as well as some of examples on how to set up FCoE on the Nexus 7000.

Nexus 1010 and Virtual Network Services
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET

Virtualizing the data center requires more than just switching. During this session we will discuss all the virtualized network services that Nexus 1000V supports, enabling you to have a complete solution in your journey to virtual data center and to the cloud. Join this session to learn more about the Nexus 1010, vWAAS, NAM and Cisco’s Virtual Security Portfolio (Virtual Security Gateway & ASA 1000V).

ACE Hardware Best Practices and Migration
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET

Join us as we discuss common Best Practices for Cisco's ACE product. Discussed during the session is the ACE20 to ACE30 migration options and potential problem mitigation. We will also be discussing the ACE30 platform, ANM management tool, and ACE4710 licensing

UCS: Seeing is Believing
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET

UCS Manager and service profiles provide a strong value proposition for UCS. Their value becomes much more apparent when your customer sees them in action. In part three of this six part series, you will learn how to demonstrate UCS Manager to a potential customer. We will cover the different types of demonstration resources available to you, preparation you should do prior to demonstrating UCSM, and several ways to show the value add of UCSM. This is a "Train and Equip" session; leave the session with the knowledge, tools, and materials you need to demonstrate this on your own.

Click to register now!

Julia Wiltshire / Marketing Manager, Cisco Solutions / 303-545-1223

What You Make Possible!

Cisco Live 2012 San Diego! Join Cisco June 10-14 for education and training designed to help you turn possibilities into opportunities.

About Cisco Live
A Week to Explore New Possibilities and Discover Your Potential.
Cisco Live is your passport to a new world of possibilities. It offers a unique combination of in-depth technical education and training and cutting-edge insight from the experts and organizations that are setting the agenda for the future of technology and business.

You don't want to miss this event! Register here today!

Julia Wiltshire / Marketing Manager, Cisco Solutions / 303-545-1223

Avnet Data Center University
March 13-15, 2012 | Chandler, AZ

Avnet's Data Center University offers an in-depth training curriculum designed to help you serve your customers as their trusted advisor. By attending this event, you will gain a better understanding of the major market trends impacting the data center, as well as your customers' common business pains. The result? You will be positioned to respond with more effective and profitable solutions that address the needs of the business.

Early Bird Special
We are currently offering an Early Bird Special until Feb. 29, for $599 for the first attendee from a company, and $449 for each additional attendee. After Feb. 29, the standard rates are $799 and $599 respectively.

Register Now!

To view a 5-minute overview of the University agenda from the instructors themselves, click here.

Take your business in a profitable direction with these vertical market Universities:

April 11-12, 2012 HealthPath® University
June 5-6, 2012 EnergyPath™ University
July 24-25, 2012 GovPath® University

Questions? Email solutionspathtraining@avnet.com.

Jessica Truman / Marketing Project Leader / (210) 247-1313

Cisco announces integrated VDI bundles for UCS, designed to accelerate partners' ability to incorporate VDI into data center deals. "It means partners are getting one throat to choke in terms of accountability," said Brian Alison, director, data center solutions in Cisco's Worldwide Partner Organization (WWPO). "There are also benefits such as integrated support for the whole solution, and access to the Cisco Capital engine.

READ MORE ->

Bruce Gilroy / Programs Manager, Technology & Verticals / 480-794-6875

We encourage you to submit your entry for the 2012 Solution Provider 500 (formerly the VAR500). The Solution Provider 500 is an all-inclusive report on the top 500 solution providers, VARs and IT consultancies with North American headquarters.

Submit your application today - it's easy and free!

The deadline is 5 p.m. EST on March 2, 2012, with winners being announced at the 2012 Solutions Provider 500 event on June 6, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. To learn more and register to attend click here.

Terri Thomas / Senior Marketing Project Leader / 480-794-2561

View TechWiseTV's Robb and Jimmy Ray at the Cisco Live! event in London. Learn how to improve data center operational efficiency, reduce costs and complexity. See innovations that enable you to automate provisioning, optimize storage capacity and performance, overcome the server I/O bottleneck,capture and analyze traffic running at core speeds to solve network performance problems.

WATCH THE VIDEO ->

Bruce Gilroy / Programs Manager, Technology & Verticals / 480-794-6875

Driving Solutions Webinar and Avnet Data Center University - Make Plans to Attend!

Driving Solutions Webinar: Capitalizing on Market Changes Affecting the Data Center
February 21, 2012 | Register Here
2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT / 12 p.m. MT / 11 a.m. PT

Join Avnet’s director of Data Center Solutions, Kim Hofmann, for an overview of the trends and directions, market pressures and issues driving today’s opportunities in the data center, including:

• Optimizing the data center for economics, efficiently
• Cloud, virtualization, storage efficiency, systems management, BC/DR
• Security, converged infrastructure
• Networking in the data center and beyond
• The trends and drivers in the market pushing the adoption of cloud
• And more…

You’ll also get an update on Avnet’s Data Center University, March 13-15, 2012 in Chandler, AZ.

Avnet Data Center University
March 13-15, 2012 | Chandler, AZ

Avnet's Data Center University offers an in-depth training curriculum designed to help you serve your customers as their trusted advisor. By attending this event, you will gain a better understanding of the major market trends impacting the data center, as well as your customers' common business pains. The result? You will be positioned to respond with more effective and profitable solutions that address the needs of the business.

Early Bird Special
We are currently offering an Early Bird Special until Feb. 29, for $599 for the first attendee from a company, and $449 for each additional attendee. After Feb. 29, the cost increases to $799 and $599 respectively.

Register Now!

Take your business in a profitable direction with these vertical market Universities:

February 21-22, 2012 RetailPath University
April 11-12, 2012 HealthPath University
June 5-6, 2012 EnergyPath University
July 24-25, 2012 GovPath University

Questions? Email solutionspathtraining@avnet.com.

Jessica Truman / Marketing Project Leader / (210) 247-1313

Cisco (NSDQ:CSCO)'s partner marketing chief said VARs will play a key role in Cisco's new "Built for the Network" marketing campaign, and that Cisco will also be arming partners with marketing resources for CloudVerse, the cloud framework and strategy it debuted in December.

Click to read full CRN article.

Bruce Gilroy / Programs Manager, Technology & Verticals / 480-794-6875

Forrester Consulting found Cisco UCS customers gained up to 177 percent ROI.

Cisco commissioned Forrester Consulting to examine the total economic impact and potential return on investment (ROI) enterprises may realize by deploying Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS). The purpose of the study is to provide readers with a framework to evaluate the potential financial impact of Cisco UCS on
their organizations.

Read the entire whitepaper: The Total Economic Impact™ Of The Cisco Unified Computing System

Cisco UCS Reduces IT Administrative and Hardware Costs
Forrester interviewed five existing Cisco UCS customers, completed financial analysis on these customers and modeled a representative composite organization. As a result, Forrester found that the organizations interviewed experienced:

• Reduction in ongoing administrative effort
• Network port and switch cost reduction
• Refresh cost avoidance
• Power and cooling cost savings
• The reduction in electrical circuits deployed
• Data center space cost savings
• End user productivity savings

Read the entire whitepaper: The Total Economic Impact™ Of The Cisco Unified Computing System

Julia Wiltshire / Marketing Manager, Cisco Solutions / 303-545-1223

Cisco AM SMORES sessions are 30 minute sales trainings around Cisco Data Center solutions for partner account managers. In conjunction with Cisco, Avnet will be presenting a series of five training sessions around high growth vertical markets (Healthcare, Financial, Retail, Energy and Government).

Click to Register Now

Bruce Gilroy / Programs Manager, Technology & Verticals / 480-794-6875

Reaffirm Your Leadership in Data Center Virtualization by Leveraging Cisco Instant Rebates on UCS C-Series

In an effort to capitalize on the growing momentum in the data center architecture for UCS C-Series, Cisco is offering aggressive instant rebates, which are available exclusively through distribution partners on select UCS C-Series bundles ordered through April 28, 2012.*

Click for more on Power Up 3!

Key Highlights
• The promotion is only available to authorized distribution partners.
• As such, resellers must engage directly with their distributor for specific pricing.
• The instant rebates are available only on select base configurations.
• Additional terms and conditions apply.
• Promotion Timeline: Through April 28, 2012.

For more information, contact the Cisco Solutions inside sales team at 800-305-2833 or TS-Cisco-Insidesales@Avnet.com

Bryan Buckner / Director, Inside Sales and Marketing / 480-794-5045

The AM SMORES Session is a weekly 30 minute DC sales training for our partners' account managers to help them Sell MORE Solutions (SMORES), primarily focusing on education of Cisco solutions and acceleration of partner sales. During 3Q12, we will expand the discussion to Cisco’s Data Center portfolio. In conjunction with Avnet, we will also focus on how to sell into specific verticals.

Don't miss the Avnet sessions where Avnet's Vertical Market Practice Leaders will speak to accelerating sales in the Finance, Healthcare, Retail, Government and Energy sectors.

Click on the invite link below to register and get details on how you can earn up to $100 per session and win an iPad 2!

Top Trends in the Financial Industry in 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
9-9:30 a.m. PT via WebEx

How do you capitalize on a revolutionary change in our financial/banking industry today? Join Avnet Financial Path practice leader Matthew Geer for an overview of the trending.

Top Trends in the Healthcare Industry in 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
9-9:30 a.m. PT via WebEx

Join Avnet Health Path practice leader Jim Bindon for an overview of the trends and directions, pressures and issues driving today’s opportunities in the healthcare market.

Top Trends in the Retail Industry in 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
9-9:30 a.m. PT via WebEx

Join Avnet Retail Path practice leader Joe Delgado for an overview of the trends and directions, market pressures and issues driving today’s opportunities in the multi-channel retail environment.

Overview of Intel’s Romley Release for UCS B-Series (Blades)
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
9-9:30 a.m. PT via WebEx

Join us to hear about Intel’s latest Romley release for blades and how Cisco will leverage the technology in UCS to differentiate our product line in the x86 blade market.

Overview of Intel’s Romley Release for UCS C-Series (Racks)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
9-9:30 a.m. PT via WebEx

A follow-on to the previous week’s session, join us to hear about Intel’s latest Romley release for rack mounts and how Cisco will leverage the technology in UCS to differentiate our product line in the x86 rack market.

Top Trends in the Energy Industry in 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
9-9:30 a.m. PT via WebEx

Join Avnet EnergyPath practice leader Nicole Evans for an overview of the trends and directions, market pressures and issues driving today’s opportunities in the utility market, including: Expanding Industry Regulations, Aging Infrastructures, Heightened Security Concerns, Increased Pressure on Operational Efficiency and Smart Grid Technologies

Top Trends in Government in 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
9-9:30 a.m. PT via WebEx

Join Avnet GovPath practice leader Mike AtLee for an overview of the trends and directions, market pressures and issues driving today's opportunities in Government.

Sales Overview of Nexus 5000 & 7000
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
9-9:30 a.m. PT via WebEx

Build stronger account control with more long-term product and services revenue through the next wave of Cisco Nexus innovations. Your customers can benefit from enhanced architectural flexibility and revolutionary scalability through an evolutionary network: Unified Fabric. This session will highlight our N5k and N7k products.

Sales Overview of Nexus 3000 & 1000v
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
9-9:30 a.m. PT via WebEx

This session is a follow-on to the previous week’s session, although it will highlight our N3k and N1kv products. Cisco Nexus 1000V Series Switches deliver highly secure, multitenant services by adding virtualization intelligence to the data center network. Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches extend the proven innovations of Cisco Unified Fabric innovations to the high-frequency trading (HFT) market and Big Data environments. Join this session to understand how you can leverage these products within your customer opportunities.

Register Here.

Julia Wiltshire / Marketing Manager, Cisco Solutions / 303-545-1223

Welcome to Cisco's DC Byte-Z webinar series, a key resource to help partners learn and gather the latest data center technology information. Check out what's on tap for February.
Register here.

Nexus 1000V Best Practices for UCS
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET

Virtualizing DC with UCS and Nexus 1000V? This session will provide design guidance and best practices in deploying Nexus 1000V Series Switches-software switches embedded within the VMware vSphere hypervisor-on top of the Cisco Unified Computing System™, focusing on deployment options using the various adapter types that the Cisco Unified Computing System supports.

Register here.

Brad Stocker / Solutions Executive / (480) 794-6347

A shortened version of the design implementation guide, this document examines how to use a virtualized multi-tenant data center solution (VMDC) to deploy enterprise and service provider clouds. It provides architectural considerations for building an end-to-end Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) cloud computing architecture.

Download the condensed implementation guide, Virtualized Multi-Tenant Data Center Solution for Infrastructure-as-a-Service.

Brad Stocker / Solutions Executive / (480) 794-6347

In two years, Cisco Systems‘ entry into the blade server arena has won it a 12.2 percent share of the x86 server market. This week Cisco (CSCO) announced that it has surpassed 10,000 customers worldwide for its Unified Computing System (UCS), which brings servers, storages and switches together in a converged data center infrastructure.


This graphic from Cisco Systems shows the customer growth for the company's Unified Computing System servers and switches.

Cisco used the milestone as an opportunity to highlight its progress in the server market, where it has made inroads into the dominance of the two leaders, HP and IBM. Most of those gains appear to have come primarily at the expense of IBM, whose market share has slipped as Cisco’s has gained, according to quarterly data from IDC (see chart below).
Major Progress vs. Big Expectations

When it was introduced in 2009 by Cisco CEO John Chambers the new UCS architecture was touted as an “inflection point” for virtualization that would transform the data center. At the time, DCK described it as “the latest step in a larger battle for the data center, with Cisco seeking to position its technology at the heart of a virtualized infrastructure doing business on the Inter-Cloud of the future.”

There’s no question that Cisco raised expectations by throwing the full weight of its considerable marketing might behind UCS. Has Cisco’s progress met those lofty expectations? Since then UCS has gained 10.8 percent in the worldwide market share of x86 blade servers and 16.9 percent in the United States, according to the IDC data. That’s a meaningful presence in a sector that is growing faster then the broader server market.

Battle for the Data Center

Ciso’s entry into the server market also shook up many of the vendor relationships within the larger data center ecosystem. HP and IBM have since taken steps to bolster their networking and converged computing offerings to provide alternatives to Cisco. The impact of Cisco’s push into blade servers will likely be best measured on a longer time frame and broader scale. But today’s announcement reinforces Cisco’s status as an increasingly important player in the server market.

The Unified Computing System brings together hardware – including the B-Series blade server and network adapters – that seamlessly connect with storage systems over a high-speed unified network fabric powered by Cisco’s Nexus family of switches, enabling virtualized assets to move seamlessly across the data center and the Internet. UCS is part of Cisco’s larger vision for the combined Unified Data Center, along with its unified fabric and unified management framework.

The UCS family portfolio has had additions made to it and a number of enhancements while it evolved and gained market share. At Cisco Live 2011 while talking about UCS updates Cisco CTO Padmasree Warrior s explained that the network of the future will focus on programmability, virtualization and configuration/automation.



A Cisco graphic highlighting its market share gains in the x86 server market, where it has built the third-largest market share after HP and IBM.

Article source: Rich Miller, Data Center Knowledge, January 18, 2012

Julia Wiltshire / Marketing Manager, Cisco Solutions / 303-545-1223

A must read! Data Center architect Chris Atkinson writes a great blog post on his experience with Cisco UCS. He highlights the pain points UCS eliminated with regard to servers, provisioning, networking, virtualization, storage and more.

Click to read Chris' full blog.

Bruce Gilroy / Programs Manager, Technology & Verticals / 480-794-6875

Cisco Unified Data Center solutions offer practical ways to overcome the limitations and constraints that affect your data center. This portfolio of solutions, designed to meet your customers' IT and business needs, can help them reduce total cost of ownership, accelerate business growth, and extend the lifecycle of current infrastructure by transforming their data center into more efficient, responsive and resilient asset.

Infrastructure Consolidation
• Ensure more efficient use of data center facilities
• Gain operational efficiencies and cost savings through standardization and asset consolidation
• Increase asset utilization to increase flexibility and reduce costs

Energy Efficient Data Centers
• Reduce energy costs
• Extend the working life of capital assets
• Optimize use of space, power, and cooling infrastructure
Avoid or defer construction of new facilities

Business Continuance
• Reduce business impact of localized and large footprint disaster events
• Improve productivity through enhanced application and data availability
• Meet corporate and regulatory compliance needs

Workforce Productivity
• Improve data security and compliance
• Extend desktop hardware lifecycles
• Extend business continuity and disaster recovery to enterprise desktops

Julia Wiltshire / Marketing Manager, Cisco Solutions / 303-545-1223