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2024-07-10Hünkar Döner

What to Look for When Buying AWS Consultancy?

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What to Look for When Buying AWS Consultancy?

Transitioning to cloud technologies is not just a technology change, but also a culture change. Working with the right partner in this complex process determines the difference between project success and failure. While many firms in the market claim to offer "Cloud Consultancy", there are critical criteria to consider when choosing a competent AWS Consultancy partner in the AWS ecosystem.

Here are the questions you need to ask and points to consider to choose the right partner:

1. AWS Partner Network (APN) Level

Definitely check if the company you will work with is officially a member of the AWS Partner Network (APN). AWS classifies its partners based on their experience and success:

  • Select Partner: Entry level.
  • Advanced Partner: Has proven experience and a large certified team.
  • Premier Partner: The top level, partners managing very large-scale and global projects. Generally, Advanced level partners are ideal for SME and enterprise projects in terms of technical depth and cost balance.

2. Certifications and Team Competence

It is not the firm's competence, but the competence of the team that will do your project that matters. How many "AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional" or "DevOps Engineer - Professional" certified experts are in the team? These certifications prove the individuals' in-depth knowledge of AWS.

3. Similar Industry Experience and Success Stories (Case Studies)

Every industry has different cloud needs. The scaling need of an e-commerce site and the security need of a bank are not the same.

  • "Have you worked with a company in our industry before?"
  • "Can you show a reference (Case Study) on how you solved a similar problem?" The answers to these questions show how well the partner understands your business.

4. Competencies & Service Delivery

AWS validates partners' expertise in specific subjects with the "Competency" program.

  • If you are going to do database migration, look for a firm with Migration Competency.
  • If you want a security audit, choose a partner with Security Competency. These titles indicate that the firm has been audited and approved by AWS in that regard.

5. Cultural Fit and Communication

Another issue as important as technical knowledge is communication.

  • Do they work with Agile methods?
  • Are communication channels (Slack, Teams, etc.) open?
  • What kind of support do they offer in emergencies (Incident Response)? Choosing a partner who will work like a part of your team throughout the project and communicates transparently saves lives in stressful moments.

6. Knowledge Transfer

A good consultant doesn't just do the job and hand over the keys; they also teach your team "how to fish". Ensure that the necessary training and documentation are provided so that your team can take over the infrastructure at the end of the project.

Choosing the right AWS Consultancy partner to guide you on your cloud journey is the most important investment for the future.