AWS Partner Network (APN)
The AWS Partner Network is the global community of third-party firms accredited by Amazon Web Services to build products on AWS and to deliver services to AWS customers. Partners have earned an endorsement from AWS, which is what distinguishes them from any arbitrary vendor.
Key points
- APN is now structured around five Partner Paths, which supersede the older, simpler Consulting-vs-Technology split as the primary structure: Software Path, Hardware Path, Services Path, Training Path, and Distribution Path. Partners can enroll in more than one Path at once.
- Services Path — professional services firms: systems integrators, resellers, managed service providers and agencies (this is today’s equivalent of the older “Consulting Partners” label). Engage these when an organisation wants to build or migrate a workload but lacks the in-house AWS skills to do it. Progression runs through Select, Advanced, and Premier tiers, gated by counts of AWS-certified staff, competencies, and minimum monthly “Launched Opportunities” revenue.
- Software Path — independent software vendors (ISVs) whose software runs on or integrates with AWS (today’s equivalent of the older “Technology Partners” label); software is qualified through the AWS Foundational Technical Review.
- Hardware Path — vendors building hardware devices that work with AWS; devices are qualified through the AWS Device Qualification Program.
- Training Path — organisations that sell, deliver, or incorporate AWS training, recognized as AWS Training Partners.
- Distribution Path — organisations that recruit, onboard, and support resellers of AWS solutions, recognized as AWS Authorized Distributors.
- Partner offerings are discoverable and purchasable through AWS Marketplace, which carries both third-party software and partner-delivered assessments, implementation, support, managed services and training.
- Partner benefits include go-to-market resources, training and certification, market development funding, innovation sandbox credits, and visibility to AWS customers and field teams.
- Distinct from AWS Professional Services, which is AWS’s own consulting organisation rather than a third party, and from AWS Managed Services (AMS), which is AWS operating the environment on the customer’s behalf.