AWS Partner Network (APN) & Third-Party Ecosystem
Role of the AWS Partner Network, including independent software vendors and system integrators
Curriculum Overview: AWS Partner Network (APN)
This document outlines the curriculum for understanding the role of the AWS Partner Network (APN), including Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and System Integrators (SIs), as required for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) exam.
Prerequisites
Before engaging with this module, students should have a baseline understanding of:
- Basic Cloud Concepts: The difference between On-Premise and Cloud environments.
- AWS Shared Responsibility Model: Specifically, how AWS manages infrastructure while customers manage data.
- AWS Global Infrastructure: Understanding Regions and Availability Zones.
Module Breakdown
| Module | Focus Area | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 1. APN Fundamentals | Definitions, Partner types (ISV vs. SI), and the APN mission. | Beginner |
| 2. AWS Marketplace | Discovering, purchasing, and deploying 3rd party software. | Intermediate |
| 3. Partner Benefits | Training, certifications, events, and volume discounts. | Beginner |
| 4. Professional Services | AWS-led expert consulting and integration with partners. | Intermediate |
| 5. Integration & Support | How partners interact with AWS Support plans. | Intermediate |
Module Objectives
By the end of this curriculum, learners will be able to:
- Identify the distinct roles of Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and System Integrators (SIs).
- Explain the purpose and key services of the AWS Marketplace (e.g., governance, entitlement).
- Describe the financial benefits of being an AWS Partner, such as Volume Discounts.
- Differentiate between AWS Professional Services and the AWS Partner Network offerings.
- Navigate official AWS resources like Whitepapers, Blogs, and Prescriptive Guidance.
Visual Anchors
The APN Partnership Cycle
Interaction Ecosystem
Key Examples
[!TIP] Use these concrete scenarios to distinguish between the two primary partner types.
| Partner Type | Real-World Example |
|---|---|
| Independent Software Vendor (ISV) | CrowdStrike or Datadog: Companies that build a security or monitoring tool that runs on AWS and is sold via the AWS Marketplace. |
| System Integrator (SI) | Accenture or Deloitte: Firms that do not necessarily sell a specific software product but provide the human expertise to migrate a company's data center to AWS. |
Success Metrics
To demonstrate mastery of this topic, the learner must be able to answer the following:
- Recognition: Can you identify that a company providing "Migration Consulting" is a System Integrator?
- Navigation: Can you locate where to find 3rd party software that is integrated with AWS billing? (Answer: AWS Marketplace).
- Benefit Analysis: Can you list three benefits of the APN? (e.g., Partner Training, Partner Events, Volume Discounts).
- Support Identification: Do you know the difference between the AWS Knowledge Center (self-help) and AWS Professional Services (hands-on experts)?
Real-World Application
Understanding the AWS Partner Network is vital for several career paths:
- Cloud Consultant: Utilizing SIs to help enterprise clients move to the cloud without internal expertise.
- Procurement Specialist: Using the AWS Marketplace to consolidate 3rd party software costs into a single AWS bill.
- Solutions Architect: Designing architectures that include 3rd party ISV tools (like Firewalls or BI tools) that are already validated for AWS compatibility.
[!IMPORTANT] The AWS Marketplace provides governance and entitlement, ensuring that software purchased is compliant with organizational policies and automatically licensed.
▶Click to expand: What are AWS Volume Discounts?
AWS Partner Volume discounts reward partners for their growing commitment to AWS. As the partner's usage of AWS services increases across their customer base, they receive lower pricing, providing a cost-effective way to scale operations.