AWS Honored with 5-Star Rating in the 2021 CRN Partner Program Guide

Amazon Web Services (AWS) earned a 5-Star rating by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, in its 2021 Partner Program Guide. This annual guide provides a conclusive list of the most distinguished partner programs from leading technology companies.

The 5-Star rating is awarded to an exclusive group of companies that go above and beyond with their partner programs. AWS was honored based on a range of investments made by the AWS Partner Network (APN) to help businesses build, market, and sell their products, services, and solutions.

“We are going to continue to do everything we can to ensure AWS Partners get the right support from our teams as fast as possible, that they have access to programs and benefits that matter to their business, and match the speed at which AWS and our Partners innovate,” says Doug Yeum, Head of Global Partner Organization at AWS.

“AWS Partners can expect to see us continue to invest in programs to support their evolving business models, accelerate innovation and growth together, and provide tools, benefits, and resources that make it easier for us to work together,” adds Yeum, who was recently recognized by CRN as one of the 50 most influential channel chiefs.

In CRN’s assessment, vendors are scored based on investments in program offerings, partner profitability, partner training, education and support, marketing programs and resources, sales support, and communication. Here are a few specific areas that helped AWS stand out.

AWS Partner Programs

Programs such as the AWS ISV Partner Path provide tailored and accelerated engagement with AWS for businesses that build software on or integrate with AWS services.

The AWS Premier Tier recognizes leading AWS Consulting Partners with deep and broad experience serving AWS customers.

Differentiation programs such as the AWS Competency Program validate and promote AWS Partners and their solutions in specialized areas across industries, use cases, and workloads.

Profitability

The AWS Solution Provider Program provides a tiered discount structure for qualifying participants to resell AWS services. AWS also offers a range of funding benefits, including investments to reduce AWS Partner costs to develop new solutions.

Training

AWS Partner training and certification offers courses exclusively for Partners, steep discounts on certifications, and incentives for certification attainment.

Marketing Support

AWS Partner Marketing resources enable Partners to attract and reach new customers. This includes AWS Partner Marketing Central, a self-service tool that allows Partners to:

• Customize and launch solution-based campaigns.
• Search for an AWS preferred agency who offers cost-effective services.
• Access digital courses on marketing education or request the support of a virtual partner marketing manager.

Marketing Development Funds (MDF) help qualified AWS Partners who are leading their own marketing campaigns to co-invest with AWS.

AWS Partners also have access to a wealth of communication resources to help them build, market, and sell their AWS-based offerings. This includes the APN Blog, AWS Partner Central, APN TV, email, newsletters, webinars, and more.

Sales Support

AWS Partners have access to sales support through programs such as AWS ISV Accelerate, our co-sell program that connects participating ISVs with the AWS Sales teams.

Additionally, the Partner Opportunity Acceleration Funding (POA) enables AWS to invest with partners to accelerate customer opportunities with proofs-of-concept (POCs) and migration funding support.

Testimonials

“In June 2019, Spot by NetApp (previously Spotinst) began leveraging the AWS ISV Accelerate Program. Over the year that followed, AWS and Spot by NetApp have collaborated on 500+ submitted opportunities; 100+ have already launched, with many more on track to do so. This program has accelerated Spot by NetApp’s growth by addressing our #1 challenge: awareness in the market, and by bringing AWS account-specific expertise to the table.” ~ Jonathan Eshet, Strategic Alliances Manager, Spot by NetApp

“As a company, Eplexity has seen great benefits from being an AWS Well-Architected Partner. It has broadened our reach to new customers and given us an opportunity to better understand their challenges and roadblocks. Taking a consultative approach allows our customers to achieve their end goals while optimizing their AWS environment.” ~ Todd Reese, Vice President of Sales, Eplexity

Resources

The 2021 CRN Partner Program Guide is featured in the CRN April 2021 issue and available online at CRN.com/PPG.

Learn more about becoming or growing as AWS Partner, and use our Partner Solutions Finder to search for an AWS Partner with the right expertise to support your innovation and growth.