Cisco CPI Just Changed Again — And It’s Doubling Down on Services and Adopt

Download the Cisco CPI Just Changed Again – Infographic to learn more.

Cisco’s latest update to the Cisco Partner Incentives (CPI) workbook isn’t a full overhaul—but it is a clear signal of where partners are expected to focus.

The workbook defines:

• Eligible hardware, software, and services
• The Product IDs (PIDs) tied to those offers
• The General Service Programs (GSPs) they map to
• The associated payout rates, including ACV Growth

And in this update, two areas stand out: Services and Adopt.

Services: Simplified Structure, Same Economics

Cisco made a structural change to how Services incentives are presented.

Previously:

• 26 columns
• Rates split by Standard, Enhanced, Signature tiers
• Broken out across regions and partner types

Now:

• 14 columns
• Simplified to:
  • Cisco Partner
  • Cisco Preferred Partner
  • By region

What didn’t change

• No changes to payout rates
• No GSPs added or removed

What this means

This is not a financial change—it’s an execution change.

Cisco simplified how Services incentives are presented so partners can more easily:

• Align services to eligible GSPs
• Understand payout eligibility
• Operationalize incentives without unnecessary complexity

The expectation hasn’t changed—Services are still a core driver of CPI profitability.

Adopt: ISE Expansion Creates New Incentive Path

Cisco introduced a new Adopt use case under Security: Identity Services Engine (ISE) → Network Access Control

With it:

• 872 new PIDs added
• Includes ISE subscription licenses:
  • Apex
  • Base
  • Plus
  • Premier
• Eligible for Adopt milestone payouts (Q4 FY26)
• No existing Adopt PIDs removed

What this means

This is a meaningful expansion of CPI into identity and access control adoption.

These PIDs now map into GSPs that qualify for Adopt incentives—meaning:

• Adoption activity tied to ISE can now generate payouts
• Lifecycle execution becomes directly monetizable

Cisco is reinforcing a consistent message: Revenue is booked at Land. Additional Profit is earned with Adopt.

PID-to-GSP Mapping: Quiet Change, Real Impact

While less visible, one of the more impactful updates is the refresh of PID-to-GSP mappings.

• Same structure (large-scale dataset)
• Significant reassignment of PIDs across GSPs
• Increased workbook size reflects the scope of change

Why this matters

GSP mappings determine:

• Which offers qualify for incentives
• How services attach to hardware/software
• How CPI payouts are calculated

If your mappings are outdated:

• Your eligibility assumptions may be wrong
• Your projected payouts may be off

ACV Growth: Still a Core Lever

No structural changes were made to ACV Growth payout rates, but they remain a key part of the CPI model.

As Adopt expands (now including ISE), the ability to:

• Drive usage
• Expand footprint
• Increase contract value over time

…continues to directly impact profitability.

What Didn’t Change

The following remain consistent:

• Collaboration
• Networking
• Security (outside of ISE Adopt expansion)
• Cloud & AI Infrastructure
• Mass-Scale Infrastructure
• Splunk
• Country groupings
• ACV Growth structure

This reinforces that Cisco is making targeted adjustments, not broad changes.

The Bottom Line

This update reinforces three realities:

1. Services remain foundational—now easier to align and execute
2. Adopt continues to expand—ISE is now a monetizable lifecycle motion
3. GSP mapping is critical—it determines what actually gets paid

If your team is not aligning: PIDs → GSPs → lifecycle actions

Then you’re not fully capturing what CPI is designed to reward.

Turn CPI Changes Into Profit

Netformx automatically maps PIDs to GSPs accurately, models CPI before the deal closes and tracks incentives across Land, Adopt, and Growth.

👉 Request a demo or contact sales@netformx.com.

What Changed with Cisco Partner Incentives (CPI) in May?

Download the Cisco CPI Just Changed Again – Infographic to learn more.