Cisco Spaces Partner Ecosystem Overview

OVERVIEW

The Cisco Spaces Partner Ecosystem connects application and device partners with Cisco’s cloud-based location platform to deliver real-world business outcomes through location intelligence. This runbook provides a streamlined guide for partners to understand the ecosystem, explore integration options, navigate onboarding, and successfully publish and manage their solutions within Cisco Spaces.

INTRODUCTION TO PARTNER ECOSYSTEM

Cisco Spaces is a unified cloud platform built on a layered architecture that transforms physical environments into smart spaces by integrating devices, sensors, and applications. At its foundation are Cisco’s wireless infrastructure, sensors, and third-party IoT devices that provide real-time telemetry and environmental data. This data is processed and contextualized through Cisco Spaces location and occupancy services, enriched with AI-powered maps and spatial metadata.

Partners play an important role at the top and bottom layers of this stack - building and integrating applications that extend the value of Cisco Spaces into enterprise use cases and devices that gather and transmit information. Through SDKs, APIs, and the Partner App Center, application and device partners can deliver tailored outcomes for customers across industries. The ecosystem offers the tools and infrastructure needed for partners to innovate, integrate, and scale solutions on a platform designed for smart, connected environments.

COMPONENTS OF THE ECOSYSTEM

This section introduces the core components that collectively support partners in building, managing, and delivering innovative solutions through Cisco Spaces.

Cisco Spaces

Cisco Spaces is a cloud platform that transforms your buildings into smart spaces. By leveraging Cisco networking and collaboration devices as sensors, Cisco Spaces reimagines how employees, customers and visitors experience your spaces, boosts operational efficiency, optimizes energy and maximizes efficiency of space - all at a significantly low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Cisco Spaces is deployed across 14 billion square feet globally across healthcare, workplaces/ offices, financial services, retail, education, hospitality, stadiums and venues, airports, and warehousing facilities. Spaces is consistently recognized for its excellence by customers - it has been named a Customer Choice platform for Indoor Location Services in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 and is Top Rated on TrustRadius for Location Intelligence. With a 172% ROI and payback in just six months, it’s a powerful, scalable solution that grows with your needs (Forrester Total Economic Impact Report). 

Take a product tour to explore the platform and applications.

Partner Dashboard

The Partner Dashboard serves as the central hub for Cisco Spaces partners, offering a unified interface to create, manage, and monitor applications. Partners can submit new applications, track the status of their submissions, update app details such as descriptions and screenshots, and access tools to test application functionality and integration with Cisco Spaces data. This streamlined platform simplifies the application lifecycle, enabling partners to efficiently maintain and deliver high-quality integrations within the Cisco Spaces ecosystem.

Read more on how to use the Partner Dashboard.

Partner App Center

The Partner App Center is the integration marketplace within Cisco Spaces, where validated partner applications are published and made accessible to customers. It enables streamlined discovery, activation, and deployment of partner solutions directly within the Cisco Spaces environment. All applications undergo a validation process to ensure technical compatibility and security. Once validated, they are made available to a broad customer base, with deployment initiated through a seamless activation workflow.

This platform not only enhances solution visibility for partners but also ensures that customers can deploy interoperable, scalable, and secure integrations within their environments. Partner applications play a critical role in enabling industry-specific business outcomes. By leveraging real-time location data, environmental telemetry, and contextual insights from Cisco Spaces, these applications deliver targeted use cases tailored to sector-specific needs. The App Center gives customers confidence in selecting solutions aligned with their operational goals and industry requirements. For example, in smart workplaces, partners offer applications for occupancy analytics, space booking, and air quality monitoring—enabling space optimization, sustainability, and improved employee experience. In healthcare, partner solutions support asset tracking for critical equipment, staff duress systems, and patient flow analytics, helping to improve operational efficiency, safety, and care delivery.

Cisco Spaces IoT Devices Marketplace (IDM)

The IoT Devices Marketplace features devices that are compatible with Cisco Spaces. Customers can filter devices based on industry type, use cases, technologies, price range, and other criteria. Technical specifications for each device are clearly detailed, along with a list of compatible partner applications. Additionally, customers can request more information or ask for a quotation directly through the marketplace, after which the vendor team will reach out with further details.

CISCO SPACES OUTCOMES AND USE CASES

Cisco Spaces enables outcome-driven solutions across various industries by leveraging real-time location data, IoT integrations, and intelligent analytics. Below are key outcomes and use cases.

CISCO SPACES PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS

Cisco Spaces Application Partners

Application Partners encompass independent software vendors (ISVs), developers, and organizations that design and develop applications utilizing the Cisco Spaces platform, its APIs, and associated data. These applications enhance the overall value proposition for Cisco Spaces customers by enabling advanced capabilities such as advanced analytics, digital engagement, environmental monitoring, and other innovative solutions. All partner applications are featured and distributed through the Cisco Spaces Partner App Center.

Key Features & Benefits

• Access to Cisco Spaces APIs, SDKs, and developer tools

• Capability to develop outcome-driven solutions leveraging Cisco Spaces data

• Application listing within the Cisco Spaces Partner App Center that is discoverable by Cisco Spaces customers

• Increased visibility to Cisco Spaces’ extensive global customer network

How to become a Partner

To request a Cisco Spaces partner account, visit Cisco Spaces Partner Dashboard and click Partner with us. Choose the appropriate partnership type - Application or Solution Partner and submit the form. Once your request is submitted, the Cisco Spaces Product Team will review the information provided. They may reach out to gather additional details, assess your solution, and explore potential collaboration opportunities.

Evaluation Criteria

• Assessment of the partner solution’s capabilities, features, and overall value proposition.

• Assessment of target use cases and their relevance to Cisco Spaces customers across various industries and verticals.

• Review of how effectively the solution integrates with Cisco Spaces infrastructure, including APIs, SDKs, and data services.

• Existing customer base leveraging Cisco Spaces within the partner solution.

• Review of a working demo to assess functionality, usability, and overall user experience.

• Solution’s ability to scale with increasing customer demands and platform growth.

Approval and Access

Upon approval, the Cisco Spaces team will provision accounts to access

1. Cisco Spaces

2. Cisco Spaces Partner Dashboard

Activate your Cisco Spaces account using the invitation email sent. This activation is required to access the partner dashboard. Once the Cisco Spaces account is activated, users can sign in to the Partner Dashboard.

Cisco Spaces Integration Methods/Features

Cisco Spaces provides APIs and SDKs to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful business outcomes.

Cisco Spaces Firehose Streaming API

The Cisco Spaces Partner Firehose API provides a continuous, real-time stream of location and presence data, enabling developers to build dynamic and responsive applications. It delivers live updates on device movements, proximity events, and zone-based entry/exit triggers, along with current location data and associated device profiles such as MAC addresses and device types. The API supports a broad range of event types, making it ideal for applications that require contextual awareness and location intelligence. Built for scale, it ensures high-throughput and reliable data delivery, even in large enterprise environments. All events are transmitted in JSON format, making them easy to parse and integrate across various programming languages and platforms.

Learn more about Cisco Spaces Firehose Streaming API documentation

Cisco Spaces Onboarding SDK

The Cisco Spaces SDK enables iOS and Android apps to securely connect users to Wi-Fi using OpenRoaming, without user interaction. It leverages identity federation for seamless access, user analytics, and device-level engagement through native notification frameworks.​ The Cisco Spaces SDK further allows partners to add more information about the users, and engage with them, directly on their device, through the iOS and Android notification framework.

Learn more about Cisco Spaces Onboarding SDK

Cisco Spaces AI Maps SDK

The Cisco Spaces AI Maps SDK is a JavaScript SDK that allows developers to embed and interact with 3D Digital Map Pro within a web page. The map can be initialized with custom parameters such as latitude, longitude, bearing, pitch, and zoom to create a tailored view. The SDK provides methods and events for rich interactivity, including the ability to update 3D room overlays with preset color states—green for Available, amber for Booked, red for Occupied, and blue for On Hold—making it ideal for kiosk and digital signage use cases. Additionally, developers can place custom images at specific coordinates (latitude and longitude), enabling scenarios such as real-time asset tracking.

Contact the Cisco Spaces team to get more details on how to integrate using the AI Maps SDK (beta)

Cisco Spaces Wayfinding SDK

The Cisco Spaces Wayfinding SDK offers native libraries for iOS and Android platforms, enabling real-time blue-dot indoor navigation within mobile applications. By integrating this SDK, developers can provide end users with an intuitive wayfinding experience—guiding them from their current location to a specified destination on the map using precise indoor positioning.

To enable the blue-dot functionality, a proper wayfinding beacon setup and management within Cisco Spaces is required. It's important to note that this SDK is focused on full app integration and does not include support for the App Clip experience available in other Cisco Spaces offerings.

For integration details and support, please contact the Cisco Spaces team.

Cisco Sensor Connect Infrastructure API

Cisco Sensor Connect is an IoT integration framework designed to facilitate seamless onboarding, management, and data ingestion from Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and other sensor devices into the Cisco Spaces platform. It leverages the IoT Orchestrator, deployed on Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controllers running Cisco IOS-XE 17.15.1 or later, to provide robust device connectivity and real-time telemetry streaming. This solution is ideal for organizations requiring highly secure, isolated networks while still benefiting from Cisco Spaces intelligent location services and IoT analytics. It enables secure, local ingestion and processing of data from a variety of sensors such as environmental monitors, occupancy detectors, and asset trackers.

Learn more about Sensor Connect for IoT Services

Cisco Spaces Device Partners

Cisco Spaces collaborates with IoT device vendors and manufacturers through its Device Partner program, allowing them to list and promote their hardware solutions on the Cisco Spaces Device Marketplace. All listed devices are validated for compatibility, security, and seamless integration with the Cisco Spaces platform, ensuring reliable deployment within customer environments.

Once the device is listed, Customers can request for quote directly with from the Vendor by submitting a form on the IoT marketplace. The vendor can then establish direct communication with the customers to fulfill the orders. Customers can onboard devices seamlessly into Spaces by proving the order id.

How to become a Partner

This section lists the steps to apply to be a device partner and how to get your device listed on the IoT devices Marketplace.

• Submit Your Application
  Visit Cisco Spaces Device Partners and complete the Device Vendor Partner application form. Before technical collaboration begins, the partner team must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with Cisco to protect confidential information shared during the integration process.

• Collaborate with the Cisco Spaces Team
  Once submitted, the Cisco Spaces team will initiate contact to review your application. During this phase, you will collaborate with Cisco to share your device’s technical specifications, intended use cases, and deployment scenarios.

• Cisco Spaces Compatibility
  Devices must either integrate with the Cisco Spaces SDK or undergo validation to ensure compatibility. The Cisco Spaces team will assist with assessing integration requirements and supporting any necessary development or configuration efforts.

• Testing and Data Validation
  The Cisco Spaces team will work with your technical team to test the device’s data integration and confirm that data flow reliably into the Cisco Spaces platform.

• Marketplace Listing
  Upon successful validation, the device will be listed on the Cisco Spaces IoT Device Marketplace. This listing will include device specifications, supported use cases, and the option for customers to submit a request for quote (RFQ) directly to your organization.

Evaluation Criteria

• The device should support clearly defined use cases relevant to Cisco Spaces customers (e.g., occupancy analytics, asset tracking, environment monitoring).

• The device must be capable of integrating with Cisco Spaces infrastructure, either through direct API/SDK integration or approved interoperability workflows.

• Vendors are responsible for engaging directly with customers who submit Requests for Quote (RFQs) through the marketplace. This includes timely communication, order fulfillment, and post-sales support where applicable.

SUPPORT & ESCALATION PATHS

This section outlines how partners and customers can seek help, report issues, and engage with the appropriate teams depending on the nature of the request or problem. Proper routing of support queries ensures faster resolution and better overall experience for both customers and partners.

Support for Partners

Partners integrated into Cisco Spaces can use the following support:

• Cisco Spaces offers a range of documentation and guides to help partners effectively integrate, configure, and deploy their solutions. These resources are designed to support partners across different stages of the integration lifecycle - from onboarding to advanced use case implementation.

Partner Dashboard: Application Creation & Management
This document provides detailed instructions for partners on how to create, configure, and manage applications within the Cisco Spaces Partner Dashboard. It covers the full application setup process—including registration, API access (such as the Firehose Streaming API), authentication, and testing—enabling partners to build, validate, and prepare their apps for publication in the Cisco Spaces Partner App Center.

Runbooks
Cisco Spaces offers a collection of validated runbooks that provide step-by-step guidance for deploying a wide range of outcomes using Cisco Spaces. These runbooks are designed for both customers and partners and cover foundational setup as well as advanced, use case-specific configurations. Each runbook includes technical prerequisites, configuration steps, network setup, and recommendations to ensure successful implementation. These resources serve as essential references for accelerating deployments and realizing business outcomes across various industries.

Configuration Guides

Configuration guides provide detailed instructions for setting up the Cisco Spaces platform and its applications. The guides cover both core platform configurations and solution-specific setups such as asset tracking, IoT services, environmental monitoring, and more. Each guide includes prerequisites, system integration steps, and best practices to ensure seamless and secure deployment across enterprise environments.

Setup Guides

Setup guides are quick-start, intuitive and user-friendly resources that provide step-by-step instructions, visual walkthroughs, and video tutorials that walk users through setting up Cisco Spaces.

• Cisco Spaces Partner Support
  For integration questions, app validation status, marketplace listing issues, and SDK/API guidance, partners can contact the Cisco Spaces partner team at ciscospacespartnerteam@cisco.com.

• TAC Cases (via Customer)
  Partners can not raise TAC cases directly. However, if a customer is impacted and a TAC case is opened, Cisco TAC will work with the partner (if necessary) to resolve integration-level issues.

Support for Customers

Customers leveraging Cisco Spaces and associated partner applications can seek help through the following channels:

• Cisco TAC (Technical Assistance Center):
  Customers should open a TAC case for issues related to:

  • Cisco Spaces platform functionality (data, APIs, dashboard issues)

  • Network integration issues (Wi-Fi/AP-related)

  • Device onboarding problems

  • Any outages or major disruptions

  To open a TAC case, go to https://www.cisco.com/go/tac

• Partner Application Support:
  If a customer encounters issues specific to a partner application (e.g., login issues, app behavior anomalies, data discrepancies), they should reach out directly to the partner’s support contact listed in the App Center. Cisco Spaces does not provide L1/L2 support for third-party app logic or configurations.

• Escalation to Cisco Spaces Team:
  If the issue involves platform compatibility with a partner application or a deployment blocker that cannot be resolved via TAC or partner support, customers may escalate to the Cisco Spaces team via their Cisco account team.

Support Grid