Concepts
The AWS Partner Network (APN) is a global community of businesses that leverage Amazon Web Services (AWS) to build solutions and services for customers. AWS partners include AWS Marketplace, independent software vendors (ISVs), and system integrators (SIs). For those studying for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) exam, understanding the role of these partners is crucial for grasping the full scope of AWS’s cloud ecosystem.
AWS Marketplace
AWS Marketplace is a digital catalog that features thousands of software listings from independent software vendors designed to run on AWS. Customers can find, purchase, and immediately start using the software and services that run on AWS.
Key Points:
- Wide Range of Products: Ranging from machine learning to security and DevOps tools, AWS Marketplace offers versatile products that you can deploy in your AWS environment.
- Flexible Pricing: AWS Marketplace offers several pricing models such as hourly billing, annual subscription, and pay-per-use, to name a few.
- Easy Integration: Products are typically pre-configured for AWS, making integration seamless.
- Custom AMIs: Pre-built Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) allow for rapid deployment.
Examples of Marketplace Offerings:
- Security solutions, like firewalls or intrusion detection systems (e.g., Cisco, Fortinet).
- Data analytics tools, such as Splunk or Tableau.
- Business applications, like SAP or Salesforce.
Independent Software Vendors (ISVs)
ISVs are companies that build, develop, and sell consumer or enterprise software that is powered by AWS. ISVs leverage the AWS platform to develop their applications, benefiting from the scalability, reliability, and breadth of cloud services provided by AWS.
Key Points:
- Specialization: ISVs often specialize in a specific domain or industry, providing expertise and targeted solutions.
- Innovation-Driven: ISVs regularly update their software to include the latest AWS features, keeping customers at the forefront of technology.
- Optimized for Cloud: ISV applications are often optimized for performance on AWS services.
Examples of ISV Products:
- SaaS products like Salesforce or Marketo.
- Database management systems, like MongoDB.
- Application development platforms such as New Relic or Datadog.
System Integrators (SIs)
System Integrators are organizations that specialize in bringing together different subsystems and ensuring they work together as a whole. In the context of AWS, SIs help clients design, architect, migrate, manage, and operate their AWS workloads.
Key Points:
- Migration Expertise: SIs are experts at migrating existing applications and infrastructure to AWS, ensuring minimal disruption to the business.
- Custom Solutions: They create customized solutions that integrate a variety of AWS services to meet specific business requirements.
- Ongoing Support: SIs often provide ongoing managed services and support for AWS deployments.
Examples of SI Offerings:
- Comprehensive migration services including assessment, planning, and execution (e.g., Deloitte, Capgemini).
- Managed AWS services, like 24/7 infrastructure monitoring and support (e.g., Rackspace, Cognizant).
- Professional services including AWS-certified architects and developers to build and optimize AWS workloads.
In summary, understanding the role of AWS partners is vital for anyone preparing for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam, as these partnerships not only reflect the robustness of AWS’s cloud computing offering but also highlight the accessible and collaborative ecosystem available to customers. AWS Partners like the AWS Marketplace, ISVs, and SIs provide a range of services, from ready-to-deploy software and specialized applications to comprehensive system integration and ongoing management for AWS deployments. These partnerships are fundamental to delivering the full benefits of AWS to users around the globe.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: AWS Marketplace is a digital catalog that includes thousands of software listings from independent software vendors.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: AWS Marketplace is indeed a digital catalog with thousands of software listings from independent software vendors, where customers can find, buy, and immediately start using the software and services.
Which type of partner is typically responsible for helping a business adopt AWS cloud services through planning, design, and scaling?
- A) Independent software vendor (ISV)
- B) Managed Service Provider (MSP)
- C) System integrator (SI)
- D) AWS Marketplace
Answer: C) System integrator (SI)
Explanation: System integrators are partners that help businesses implement, manage, and operate their IT systems on AWS, often providing services such as planning, design, and scaling.
True or False: Independent software vendors (ISVs) are companies that build, market, and sell their own software, hosted on or integrated with AWS.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: ISVs are indeed companies that create and sell their own software products that are either hosted on AWS infrastructure or integrated with AWS services.
Which program is specifically designed to support customers’ needs with AWS-certified third-party solutions and consulting services?
- A) AWS Partner Network (APN)
- B) AWS Competency Program
- C) AWS Marketplace
- D) Amazon Partner Services
Answer: A) AWS Partner Network (APN)
Explanation: The AWS Partner Network is a global program that supports customers with AWS-certified third-party solutions and consulting services.
True or False: To be featured in the AWS Marketplace, a product must always offer support for all AWS regions.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Although it is beneficial for products to support multiple AWS regions, it is not a mandatory requirement to be featured in the AWS Marketplace.
What is the primary focus of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) within the AWS Partner ecosystem?
- A) Selling licensed software to AWS customers
- B) Integrating AWS services into customers’ IT infrastructure
- C) Managing customers’ AWS infrastructure and operations
- D) Providing additional security for applications running on AWS
Answer: C) Managing customers’ AWS infrastructure and operations
Explanation: Managed Service Providers focus on managing and operating customers’ AWS environments including infrastructure and application stack.
True or False: An AWS competency designation within the AWS Partner Network indicates that a partner has specific industry expertise and solutions.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: An AWS competency designation signals that the partner has demonstrated technical proficiency and proven customer success in specialized areas.
Select all that apply: What are the benefits of using AWS Marketplace? (Multiple Select)
- A) Simplified software licensing and procurement
- B) Access to AWS Support 24/7
- C) Automatic scalability for all products
- D) Flexible pricing options
Answer: A) Simplified software licensing and procurement, D) Flexible pricing options
Explanation: AWS Marketplace simplifies software licensing and procurement with flexible pricing options, but it does not inherently provide automatic scalability for all products, nor does it grant access to AWS Support 24/7, which is dependent on the individual vendor’s support model.
True or False: AWS requires all partners to have a minimum number of certified AWS professionals in their workforce.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: AWS requires partners in the AWS Partner Network to maintain a certain number of AWS-certified staff to ensure the quality of the services provided.
Which of the following is a primary role of AWS System Integrators?
- A) To provide third-party software solutions via AWS Marketplace
- B) To help customers deploy, run, and manage applications on AWS
- C) To sell AWS services directly to the customers
- D) To act as Independent software vendors creating new software
Answer: B) To help customers deploy, run, and manage applications on AWS
Explanation: AWS System Integrators play a key role in helping customers with deploying, running, and managing their applications on AWS.
True or False: An AWS Competency status can be earned by partners in specific technology areas, such as DevOps, IoT, and Machine Learning.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: AWS Competency statuses are awarded to partners specialized in particular solution areas including, but not limited to, DevOps, Internet of Things (IoT), and Machine Learning.
Which AWS program helps customers find and connect with industry-specific partners?
- A) AWS Partner Network
- B) AWS Marketplace
- C) AWS Service Delivery Program
- D) AWS Competency Program
Answer: D) AWS Competency Program
Explanation: The AWS Competency Program helps customers to identify and connect with AWS partners that have demonstrated industry expertise and solutions under specific categories.
Great post! Helped me understand the basics of AWS partners.
I think the role of independent software vendors (ISVs) on AWS Marketplace is critical for small businesses.
Can someone explain how system integrators help in AWS implementations?
Thanks for this post!
Does anyone know if AWS partners offer training services as part of their package?
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner course really helped me understand these concepts better.
System integrators also help in optimizing costs by choosing the right AWS services.
I appreciate the detailed explanation provided in the blog post.