Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - Drive efficiency at scale by choosing the right CloudOps partner (PEX108)

Summary

Jacob Abbott and Frank Schwartzenau from the AWS partner CloudOps team discuss how to navigate the Amazon Partner Network (APN) to find the right CloudOps partner.
The APN has 100,000 partners with various specializations, including service-specific, domain-specific, and delivery-specific.
The focus of the session is on domain-specific specializations, particularly CloudOps, and the importance of choosing validated partners.
Validated partners undergo a rigorous technical validation process and must comply with AWS best practices.
These partners have access to additional AWS resources, training, and roadmap information, giving them an edge in advising customers.
AWS defines cloud operations through five integrated solution areas, and partners are validated against specific use cases within these areas.
The validation process for partners is different for software and service paths, with software partners being more niche and service partners needing broader knowledge.
Customers can find pre-validated partners matching their use cases through the AWS website or account managers.
An example of a successful partnership is highlighted with IBM, which developed an end-to-end visibility and observability platform for a CPG customer.
The session ends with an invitation to visit the Cloud Operations Partner Booth for further information and swag.

The APN's vast number of partners necessitates a structured approach to help customers find the right match for their specific needs.
Specializations within the APN, such as CloudOps, are designed to ensure partners have proven expertise in particular domains, which is crucial for customers looking for reliable and competent service providers.
The rigorous validation process for partners not only ensures technical proficiency but also adherence to AWS best practices, which is critical for maintaining high standards and customer trust.
AWS's strategy of sharing roadmaps and providing additional resources to validated partners creates a proactive and informed partner ecosystem, which ultimately benefits the customers through better service and smoother transitions to new AWS features.
The distinction between software and service partners in the validation process reflects the different roles they play in the AWS ecosystem and the tailored approach AWS takes to ensure each type of partner meets specific customer needs.
The use of third-party agencies for further validation of partners indicates AWS's commitment to objectivity and thoroughness in its partner program.
Real-world examples, like the IBM case study, demonstrate the tangible benefits of choosing a validated CloudOps partner, reinforcing the value proposition of the AWS partner validation process.