Channel partner programs, CSPs, IT management

AWS Managed Services: Are You Certified?

So, you're an IT service provider that's moving customer workloads onto Amazon's cloud. But you're not alone -- now that thousands of VARs and MSPs are embracing public clouds like Amazon, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform.

To stand out in that crowd, some VARs and MSPs are getting certified for specific clouds. A case in point: Cloudnexa, an MSP and cloud integrator based in Philadelphia, recently achieved AWS Managed Service Provider (MSP) Partner status. The company has also built out a vNOC Cloud Management Platform for AWS.

According to Amazon and Cloudnexa:

"To qualify for the AWS Managed Service Partner status, Amazon Partner Network (APN) Partners must meet stringent requirements including an independent audit as well as proven customer success on AWS and ongoing commitment to customer obsession. In conjunction with IT Service Management capabilities, APN Partners must also possess proficiency and establish policies around securing, monitoring, automation and management of their customers' infrastructure, associated databases and applications deployed on AWS."

Generally speaking, I'm wary when I hear about "yet another" IT certification that channel partners should pursue. But in this case, I do think IT service providers would be wise to embrace emerging certifications for their preferred public clouds (Amazon, Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Platform, etc.).

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.