Cisco Canada names new vice president of channels 13 April, 2009 By Chris Talbot

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In her new role at Cisco Canada, Wittmann will oversee the national team, providing internal coordination, supporting sales and customer advocacy organizations, marketing and engaging in other key functions with the business units. Wittmann enters the role after it has sat vacant for nine months, and according to Michelle Warren, president of MW Research & Consulting, it may have been empty for a long time, but considering how important the channel is to Cisco, it was critical that the company found the right person for the role.

"It's a significant announcement. Cisco's a channel-friendly organization, and it's a channel-friendly organization in Canada. They need to have somebody heading up the channel initiative in Canada," she said.

Cisco needs someone leading and directing its channel initiatives, but it was also important they didn't just fill it with anybody, Warren said. Wittman most recently worked with Dell as the vice president of product marketing for its global software and peripherals business. Prior to that, she headed up Dell's software and peripherals business for Canada and Latin America.

Before joining Dell, Wittmann spent 15 years at Xerox, where she held various senior sales and marketing positions, including vice president of small and medium business for North America. She was also Xerox Canada's vice president of channels for three years.

Wittmann's experience gives her a good background in not just the technologies, but also in channel management and marketing, Warren said.

"What's unique about her is she's not just someone who has grown up in the Canadian IT industry," Warren said, adding that Wittmann has held roles outside of Canada and on a global basis.

Additionally, she knows more than just the technology. She knows the business end of the business, as well, Warren said.

"She's going to bring that perspective, and I think that's really important to Cisco as they move forward," she said.

Looking ahead, one of the areas that Warren said Wittmann will likely address is the SMB market, which is an area that Cisco has struggled with. It's an area where Cisco can grow its channel initiatives, and Wittmann can be a part of that.

"I think it's really important to have the right person in the role," Warren said. She noted that Cisco waited to find the right person, so it's not a concern that it took nine months. With the spring and summer initiatives kicking off, though, it's good timing to bring on a new vice president of channels, she said