Cisco used its global partner summit in Hawaii last week to unveil a new partner collaboration tool.

Cisco Partner Exchange is designed to help Cisco partners find, connect and collaborate with the right people at the right partner.

According to Cisco, reseller collaboration is a large a growing trend. Research commissioned by the networking giant and carried out by Illuminas Research found that collaboration among Cisco partners generates almost a third (31 per cent) of channel revenue and is growing by 15 per cent annually.

Nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of partners questioned said they believe collaboration will continue to grow over the next five years.

Located within Cisco Partner Space, Cisco Partner Exchange encompasses three key features: Promote and Be Found - which allows group leaders to rapidly build a profile of their group’s capabilities so other partners can track them down; Find and Connect - which allows partners to search, find and develop trusted relationships with the right person at the right partner; and Learn and Collaborate - which hands partners access to best practices, online events, and discussion forums.

The tool is now available to more than 8,500 Cisco Certified partners.