Amazon Steps Into the Clouds

A Step Forward for Amazon Web Services
 
Amazon.com (AMZN - Analyst Report) has recently introduced the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Solution Providers Program for Independent Software Vendors and Systems Integrators with offerings built on AWS.

The AWS is an infrastructure platform which includes different cloud computing capabilities, virtual private cloud (VPC), payment and billing services, other merchant and web services and an on-demand workforce.

Companies that have used the AWS to build solutions include Accenture (ACN - Snapshot Report), CA (CA - Snapshot Report), Citrix (CTRX), International Business Machines (IBM - Analyst Report), Oracle (ORCL - Snapshot Report), Red Hat (RHT - Snapshot Report), Saleforce.com (CRM - Analyst Report), Sybase (SY - Snapshot Report) and Tibco (TIBX - Snapshot Report).
 
These solution providers are now listed in a directory, with access to the AWS solution provider logo and are eligible to receive training and priority in case-study. The program also promotes collaboration among these companies. The ultimate intention of the program is to expand capabilities of companies entering the program and improve the marketing of their solutions.

In October of last year, Amazon.com was granted a patent for providing a marketplace for web services. This patent would enable the company to offer not only its own but also third party web services to third party developers, thus extending its basic ecommerce model to the cloud computing space.
 
We believe this is a big positive for the company, as cloud computing is an area that is destined to grow in the near future. The company has previous experience, which it is in a position to leverage when the market gains momentum.