Amazon Web Services (AWS) (NASDAQ: AMZN) has announced the expansion of its AWS Partner Network (APN) with the introduction of new programmes, solution competencies and partner benefits.
The changes were revealed at AWS re:Invent in Las Vegas.
The AWS Partner Network (APN), which provides technical, business and marketing support for the AWS partner ecosystem, has grown to more than 8,000 technology and consulting partners worldwide.
According to Amazon, the number of products available in the AWS Marketplace has increased 71 percent since the beginning of the year, and hours of usage of AWS Marketplace products has increased by more than 700 percent.
AWS Marketplace also offers more than 1,100 software products for the AWS Cloud.
“The growth of the AWS Partner Network and AWS Marketplace continues to accelerate as customers actively seek partners with the products and expertise to help them take advantage of the AWS cloud,” says Terry Wise, director, Worldwide Partner Ecosystem, AWS.
“Our partners are critical to helping customers run their applications on AWS, and we will continue to invest in delivering the programs, tools and training to help our partners grow their cloud businesses, differentiate their offerings, and drive success for our joint customers.”
AWS also announced plans to introduce and expand a series of new APN programmes and initiatives in 2014 including a new “Advanced Channel Partner” designation for high-performing AWS partners, which gives them access to expanded technical support and content, and the SaaS Accelerate Programme, which provides specialised technical content and support for ISVs who are running SaaS applications on AWS.
It also said it would be piloting a new Partner Leads programme to provide leads and opportunities to a select number of APN’s top consulting partners, a Business Development Training Series for partners, Market Development Funding for select technology and consulting partners and a Partner Support Centre that connects partners with AWS staff to answer questions.
