What Does It Mean to Be an AWS Partner – and Why It Matters for Your Business

Cloud computing has become the backbone of modern digital businesses. From startups scaling globally to enterprises modernizing legacy systems, organizations increasingly rely on Amazon Web Services to deliver flexibility, resilience, and innovation. In this environment, choosing the right AWS partner is not just a technical decision but a strategic one.

But what does it really mean to be an AWS partner? How can a company become one, what requirements must it meet, and what advantages does this status offer to customers and partners alike? In this article, we explore these questions in depth, while also showing how TC2 leverages its AWS partner status to deliver tangible business value.

Understanding the AWS Partner Network

At the center of Amazon’s cloud ecosystem stands the Amazon Web Services Partner Network (APN). This global program connects AWS with consulting companies, technology providers, and managed service providers that have demonstrated technical expertise, customer success, and operational excellence on AWS.

Becoming an AWS partner is not simply a matter of registration. It is a structured, multi-level journey that validates a company’s ability to design, migrate, modernize, and operate workloads in the AWS cloud.

From a customer’s perspective, working with an AWS partner means access to proven expertise, best practices, and AWS-backed methodologies. From a partner’s perspective, it unlocks programs, funding, technical enablement, and collaboration opportunities that significantly enhance project delivery.

How Can a Company Become an AWS Partner?

The path to becoming an AWS partner follows a clear but demanding roadmap. AWS sets high standards to ensure that partners truly add value to customers.

1. Joining the AWS Partner Network

The first step is joining the AWS Partner Network (APN). At this stage, companies gain access to basic training materials, technical documentation, and AWS partner resources. However, this entry-level status alone does not yet reflect advanced capabilities.

2. Building Technical Expertise

AWS places strong emphasis on skills and certifications. To progress, a company must demonstrate that its engineers, architects, and consultants possess hands-on AWS knowledge.

This usually includes:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Developer, and SysOps certifications
• Proven experience in real-world customer projects
• Internal processes aligned with AWS Well-Architected Framework

TC2 has invested heavily in building and maintaining this expertise, ensuring that certified professionals and real delivery experience back every AWS consulting engagement.

3. Demonstrating Customer Success

AWS partners must show measurable customer outcomes. This involves:

• Documented case studies
• References from satisfied customers
• Clear examples of cost optimization, performance improvement, or innovation

For companies like TC2, customer success stories are not marketing add-ons but core proof points of their AWS consulting service capabilities.

4. Achieving Partner Tiers and Competencies

As partners mature, they can achieve higher tiers (Select, Advanced, Premier) and specialized competencies. These competencies certify deep expertise in specific areas such as migration, modernization, security, or managed services.

TC2 is a certified Migration and Modernization Services Competency Consulting Partner, which means AWS has validated the company’s ability to handle complex cloud transformation projects end to end.

What Does AWS Partner Status Mean in Practice?

Being an AWS partner goes far beyond a logo on a website. In practice, it directly affects how projects are delivered, supported, and scaled.

Closer Collaboration with AWS

AWS partners work closely with AWS teams. This includes:

• Joint architecture reviews
• Access to AWS solution architects
• Early visibility into new services and features

This collaboration ensures that customers benefit from AWS best practices and up-to-date cloud innovations.

Partner-to-Partner Cooperation

AWS partners can also collaborate on the same customer project. Backed by AWS competencies and partner programs, multiple partners can combine strengths to deliver better outcomes.

Access to Funding and Acceleration Programs

One of the most practical advantages of working with an AWS partner like TC2 is access to AWS funding programs. TC2 can leverage the Migration Acceleration Program (MAP), which provides financial incentives, tools, and methodologies to accelerate cloud migration projects.

These benefits can be shared with customers and even with other partners, improving sales positioning and speeding up project execution.

What Is Required to Maintain AWS Partner Status?

AWS partner status is not permanent. Maintaining it requires continuous effort and investment.

• Continuous Certification and Training: AWS regularly updates its services. Partners must ensure their teams stay current through ongoing training and recertification.
• Ongoing Customer Success: Partners are expected to consistently deliver value. Poor customer outcomes can affect partner standing, while strong delivery reinforces credibility.
• Operational Excellence: AWS evaluates partners on security, compliance, reliability, and operational maturity. 

TC2 as an AWS Consulting Partner

TC2 stands out in the AWS ecosystem through its comprehensive partner certifications and customer-centric approach.

The company is a certified Migration and Modernization Services Competency Consulting Partner, with access to MAP funding and tooling. This enables TC2 to reduce both the risk and cost of large-scale cloud transformations.

In addition, TC2 is a certified Managed Service Provider, Partner Led Support, and Solution Provider Program partner. This means TC2 is entitled to resell AWS capacity and official AWS Support, offering customers a single point of contact for both infrastructure and support services.

In one sentence that highlights the depth of TC2’s credentials: TC2 operates as a consulting partner with an AWS 100 Certified badge portfolio, delivering cloud managed services at enterprise scale.

Key Benefits of Working with an AWS Partner Like TC2

1. Reduced Risk

AWS partners follow proven frameworks and methodologies. This significantly lowers the risk of failed migrations or unstable cloud environments.

2. Faster Time to Value

With access to AWS tools, funding, and partner programs, TC2 can accelerate project timelines and help customers realize cloud benefits sooner.

3. Cost Optimization

AWS consulting is not just about technology. TC2 helps customers design cost-efficient architectures, optimize resource usage, and avoid unnecessary spend.

4. Scalability and Future-Proofing

By building on AWS best practices, TC2 ensures that cloud environments can scale with business growth and adapt to future requirements.

5. Shared Partner Benefits

TC2 can share AWS partner benefits with other partners on joint projects, creating a stronger delivery ecosystem and better customer outcomes.

AWS Managed Services: Beyond Migration

For many organizations, the real challenge begins after migration. Operating cloud infrastructure requires continuous monitoring, optimization, and security management.

As a certified Managed Service Provider, TC2 offers end-to-end managed services that include:

• 24/7 monitoring and incident response
• Performance and cost optimization
• Security and compliance management
• Continuous improvement and modernization

This allows customers to focus on their core business, while TC2 ensures stable, efficient cloud operations.

Is Becoming an AWS Partner Worth It?

Becoming an AWS partner requires significant investment in people, processes, and customer success. However, for companies like TC2, the benefits far outweigh the effort.

AWS partner status validates expertise, strengthens customer trust, and unlocks powerful tools and programs. Combined with strong AWS consulting capabilities and a customer-focused mindset, it enables TC2 to guide organizations confidently through their cloud journey.

Whether you are planning a migration, modernizing applications, or looking for long-term cloud operations support, working with an experienced AWS partner like TC2 can make all the difference.

Let’s deliver more together – with TC2 and AWS.