Amazon Launches Managed Services, SaaS Partner Programs

Amazon Web Services (AWS) expanded the AWS Partner Network this week at the public cloud services provider’s re:Invent conference. Amazon executives addressed the company’s ecosystem of partners and unveiled new programs and initiatives within the Partner Network.

Amazon (AMZN) introduced two new partner programs, one aimed at managed services providers and another geared toward software-as-a-service (SaaS) partners.

The APN Managed Service Program was designed for APN Consulting Partners that have skills within the cloud infrastructure and application migration spaces. The ideal member of the program also delivers value to customers by offering proactive monitoring, automation and management of customers’ environments. Partners joining the program will have access to specialized technical support, training and marketing benefits.

And then the APN SaaS Partner Program was designed to provide training, marketing support and a community of peers to APN Technology Partners that are leveraging AWS for their SaaS offerings.

Additionally, Amazon is expanding its training offerings for its partners. A few of the new training options Amazon is gearing up to offer its partners in the APN Partner Network include:

“The growth in the APN program over the last year and in the capabilities of our APN Partners highlights just how critical APN Partners are to our customers’ success,” said Terry Wise, director of the Worldwide Partner Ecosystem at Amazon Web Services, in a prepared statement. “As the cloud increasingly becomes the default platform for businesses of all sizes, there has never been a better time to be an APN Partner. Moving into 2015, we plan to more than double our investments in our APN Partners with the most significant set of updates, enhancements, and new benefits to the APN since its inception. We are very excited to work with our ecosystem to help them grow their businesses, differentiate their offerings, and drive success for our joint customers.”