AWS Unveils Retail, Public Safety and Disaster Response Competencies

'We've had a lot of recent conversations about first responders and disaster response communities, and how we can help them,' AWS vice president Sandy Carter said. 'Previously, there was really no easy way for these customers to find the right APN partner with that specialized skill that they need to serve this market.'

Amazon Web Services has introduced new retail, public safety and disaster response competencies for AWS Partner Network members (APN).

AWS launched its competency program six years ago based on feedback from customers who wanted partners with capabilities and proven success in delivering specific solutions and expertise in certain workloads and industries, according to Doug Yeum, AWS’ head of worldwide alliances and channels.

“We're constantly listening for feedback from our customers on what additional competencies that they want from APN partners,” Doug told attendees during his keynote address at AWS re:Invent 2019 in Las Vegas today. “And recently the customers have been telling us that they would like to see more partners have…that competency around the retail industry.”

Partners who earn the retail competency can offer innovative technology solutions that accelerate retailers’ modernization and innovation across all enterprise areas, including physical, digital and virtual stores, core retail business applications, customer engagement, supply chain and distribution, and advanced retail data science. AWS retail competency consulting partners are able to offer strategy and deployment services to retailers to help accelerate their digital transformations.

“We have thousands of retail customers who are using AWS right now, and we have many more who are looking to use AWS so that they can provide seamless digital and physical experiences to their customers,” Yeum said. “With this competency, customers can discover technology products and leading consulting practices with increased confidence. These partners are retail specialists who set a very high bar in deploying AI/ML (artificial intelligence/machine learning), data lakes, analytics, IoT (internet of things) and cost change management needed for successful retail modernization and transformation.”

The key benefits for the new retail competency are promotion on the AWS website and Partner Solutions Finder, as well as increased visibility with AWS field sellers and additional go-to-market support, including industry event participation and market development funds.

The retail competency is launching with 39 consulting partners and 11 technology partners, including 3Hold Technologies, Amperity, Amplitude, Balance Innovations, Capillary Technologies, TensorIoT and XY Retail.

Public Safety And Disaster Response Competency

A new AWS public safety and disaster response competency will validate partners that have demonstrated success helping customers – including first responders, public safety agencies, disaster response organizations, hospitals, schools and cities -- use AWS cloud technology to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural or man-made disasters and public safety emergencies.

“There's been a record number of hazardous events from Hurricane Dorian to Ebola outbreaks in Africa,” AWS vice president Sandy Carter said at re:Invent. “All these natural and man-made disasters and public safety emergencies have really got us looking at what can we do to help first responders (and disaster response communities) who are facing some of these challenges. Previously, there was really no easy way for these customers to find the right APN partner with that specialized skill that they need to serve this market.”

Among the 17 launch partners that already have earned the competency are Verizon, GDIT, Element 84, Coalfire, BAE Systems and CTAC.

“This AWS public safety and disaster response competency will help our customers leverage trusted solutions in their unique industries,” Carter said. “These organizations who need this help operate in a limited and sometimes completely disconnected environment, and sometimes they do that for an indefinite period of time. So this competency is going to help differentiate our APN consulting partners with proven success in helping customers implement these secure, reliable cloud-enabled offerings for public safety and disaster response.”