8 Takeaways You Need to Know from AWS’ Public Sector Summit
Get the scoop from Jeffrey Kratz, who now leads the vendor’s public sector partner program.
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AWS is teaming with SAP NS2 Labs, SAP and Verizon. (SAP built NS2 Labs specifically for the national security community.)
Together the companies will deploy a 5G cell within NS2 Labs in Chantilly, Virginia, for computing use cases that rely on 5G and the edge.
AWS will provide its Outposts infrastructure and services for the effort.
“The combination of Verizon 5G with AWS Secure Hybrid Edge capabilities will allow partners and customers in all locations — in both the commercial and public sector — to process larger amounts of data while meeting compliance requirements around data sovereignty,” Kratz said.
Remember ProServe Ready? That’s the program that trains and matches AWS partners to AWS professional services subcontractors.
AWS launched ProServe Ready last September for its partners in the United States and EMEA.
Well, soon partners in other regions will have access to the program, too.
“I’m excited to announce that we will expand into select countries in LCC and APJ later this year,” Kratz said. “This reflects AWS ProServe’s commitment to working alongside partners globally, ensuring a bar-raising experience for end customers around the world.”
After a nine-month pilot, AWS will launch Solution Spark for Public Sector Partners on July 1.
The program helps partners build solutions on AWS open-source software for the public sector.
Solution Spark for Public Sector Partners also delivers training and resources that include promotional materials, marketing development funds and sales support.
AWS is expanding its Authority to Operate on AWS to security and compliance partners in regions across the globe.
An ATO designation confirms that a company has met the requisite requirements to provide IT security to U.S. federal agencies. There are a lot of moving parts to an ATO but when it comes to AWS this week, the big news concerns the expansion of ATO on AWS to include partners in areas outside of the United States.
So far in 2022, AWS has brought on its first international partners — two in Australia, one in the UK and one in Canada. Respectively, those companies are CyberCX and DNX Solutions; 6point6; and Kainos.
In response to feedback, AWS has unveiled a fast-track option for certain public sector partners.
Partners who secure executive buy-in and meet other requirements may join the Accelerated Development initiative. This aspect of AWS’ public sector efforts helps partners become go-to-market ready in four to six months, rather than 18-24.
“WWPS is growing and expanding this framework to help more partners, and even upskilling our AWS distributors, to help more AWS partners on their development journey,” Kratz said.
Historically, AWS has managed commercial and public sector authorizations under two different authorization processes.
That’s changing.
Kratz said on May 24 that the company is bringing those processes together. Not only will this make workflows easier for partners, it will allow AWS to expand its its Public Sector Distribution Program to more than 100 countries.
That, Kratz said, provides “a new pathway to over 1,300 AWS partners to begin transacting with public sector end customers via distribution for the first time.”
AWS is big on competencies. On top of the certifications it has so far unveiled this year, the vendor in a few months will debut its Smart City Competency.
“[C]ustomers will be able to confidently and quickly identify highly specialized AWS partners who can help accelerate and optimize city reforms, improve quality of life for citizens and drive economic growth,” Kratz said.
Finally, AWS is bringing its Healthcare Accelerator initiative to 10 more startups. It debuted the first go-around early last year. This time, AWS is focusing the latest iteration of its four-week program on health equity.
“Reducing health disparities is a complex challenge, but we believe there is an opportunity to apply modern technology to help address these issues,” Kratz said.
Earlier this year, AWS introduced its Sustainable Cities Accelerator and the Space Accelerator.
AWS’ Accelerators provide technical, business and mentorship support to participants.
Finally, AWS is bringing its Healthcare Accelerator initiative to 10 more startups. It debuted the first go-around early last year. This time, AWS is focusing the latest iteration of its four-week program on health equity.
“Reducing health disparities is a complex challenge, but we believe there is an opportunity to apply modern technology to help address these issues,” Kratz said.
Earlier this year, AWS introduced its Sustainable Cities Accelerator and the Space Accelerator.
AWS’ Accelerators provide technical, business and mentorship support to participants.
The public sector is hot on digital transformation and the cloud, even as security remains a top concern amid technology change. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is addressing those issues, and more, this week at its summit in Washington, D.C., geared toward public sector partners.
As you may recall, the world’s largest cloud computing provider made several key announcements at its annual summit last year. Those were spearheaded by AWS’ then-leader Sandy Carter. (Carter left AWS in late 2021 for Unstoppable Domains.)
This week, look for more news, but from Carter’s successor, Jeffrey Kratz. On Tuesday, Kratz, general manager of AWS’ worldwide public sector partner program, gave the keynote speech. It covered a number of new initiatives.
Check out the slideshow above to find out where the momentum is happening, and what AWS channel partners can expect.
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