You're Curious About AWS Consultants: Here's What You Should Know

What is an AWS Consultant? 

An AWS consultant is a certified professional or company that guides businesses through adopting, implementing, and optimizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud solutions. The consultant could be an individual or a company. 

They have expertise in AWS services, architectures, and best practices. They can tailor strategies to align cloud deployments with clients' technical and business objectives.

Their responsibilities include designing scalable architectures, overseeing migrations, optimizing performance and costs, ensuring security and compliance, providing training, and offering ongoing support to maximize the benefits of AWS cloud computing. 

Today, AWS consultants have become integral to cloud infrastructure deployments. A study by Amazon itself, titled "Understanding the Value of AWS Training and Certification to AWS Partner Organizations," found that over 75% of organizations reported increased operational efficiencies and faster project completion times after their staff received AWS training and certifications. This suggests that certified AWS consultants can help businesses expect similar improvements. 

The role of an AWS consultant includes:

• Assess and analyze an organization's current IT infrastructure and cloud needs.

• Design and recommend AWS cloud solutions based on those needs.

• Assist with migration processes to move applications and data to the AWS cloud.

• Configure and optimize AWS services for security, performance, and cost-effectiveness.

• Provide ongoing support and guidance on managing and using the AWS cloud environment.

• Stay up-to-date on the latest AWS offerings and best practices, such as building  AWS Well-Architected Framework.

Why Hire an AWS Consultant?

We will address this question by understanding the primary reasons for hiring an AWS consultant. In this guide, we have examined why companies employ these experts and how they drive business growth. 

Yet, small businesses often speculate about their role and the unseen benefits they provide. To help you guide on when or why to hire an AWS consultant, here are some key scenarios where their involvement is beneficial:

First, let’s address when AWS consulting service can be an excellent option before we explore “why.” 

A company may require an experienced AWS consultant when it lacks familiarity with the AWS platform or does not have in-house AWS experts. 

Companies may also seek expert assistance when they need to optimize their resources. Additionally, companies can maximize their cloud utilization by working with AWS experts or teams. 

Now, let’s come to “why”. 

They assist you in designing and implementing tailored solutions for business modernization to meet specific business needs, as mentioned above. 

Another significant benefit observed with AWS consultants is cost savings. These experts help optimize AWS operations, resulting in reduced costs.

Cloud migration is another challenge we have discussed in one of our blog posts. By hiring an AWS consulting firm, you can smoothly migrate to the AWS cloud. 

For small businesses without in-house cloud expertise, AWS consultants are their one-stop solution for cloud services. They'll guide them through every step of the journey, from assessing their needs to migrating their data and applications to the cloud, and even provide ongoing management. 

Cloud is not always a good idea. In this case, they also help them determine if cloud adoption is the right move for your business. In this case, they can explore another option – multi-cloud.  

If you're unsure whether a single cloud provider or a multi-cloud approach is best for you, a consultant can be a valuable guide in making this decision.  For businesses already on AWS, consultants can optimize your existing setup through expert configuration and best practices.

5 Key benefits of using AWS consulting services

Small businesses often speculate about the benefits of using AWS consulting services. The obvious reason is that consultants are typically preferred by large organizations. However, it is important to recognize that they are key drivers in helping businesses achieve goals that might not be possible with an in-house team.

The key advantage of consultants is their focused experience. Unlike an internal team with broader responsibilities, consultants dedicate themselves solely to solving cloud-related problems. This exposure to diverse challenges allows them to develop creative solutions that an in-house team, lacking similar experience, might not be able to come up with.

There are several benefits of hiring an AWS consultant. Here are some benefits that you will get by hiring an expert. 

• They have the right expertise 
  

• They help identify the obstacle

• They can be cost-effective

• They can build you a scalable infrastructure

• They can build customized solutions

How to Choose the Right AWS Consulting Partners

You can use online freelancing platforms, AWS partner Networks, LinkedIn, and various forums to find an AWS consultant. Below are the platforms  where you can find an AWS consultant. 

1. Online Marketplaces

Platforms like Upwork and Freelancer are online marketplaces where freelancers offer their services to clients. You can post your project requirements, and freelancers, including AWS consultants, bid on your project.

2. AWS Partner Network (APN)

The AWS Partner Network (APN) is a global partner program for AWS services. It includes consulting firms, systems integrators, and managed service providers who offer expertise in AWS solutions.

3. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform where you can connect with professionals in various industries. It's a great place to find AWS consultants by searching for relevant keywords and browsing through profiles.

4. Tech Communities and Forums

Tech communities and forums like Reddit's r/aws or AWS forums are online spaces where people discuss and share knowledge about AWS and other tech topics.

5. Networking Events and Conferences

Networking events and conferences, such as AWS re:Invent, are gatherings where professionals come together to learn, network, and discuss industry trends.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an AWS Consultant

This checklist will help you identify the most relevant criteria for your specific situation. It will further help you evaluate different potential clients. 

1. Experience and Expertise

Industry knowledge:  Do they have experience working with businesses in your specific industry? 

Project size:  What is your project size? Can they handle projects similar to the scale and complexity of yours? 

Service focus:  Do they specialize in the specific AWS services you need help with (e.g., migration, security, optimization)?

Certifications:  Verify they have AWS certifications exports. 

2. Communication and Approach

Clear communication style: Can you easily understand their explanations and proposals?

Collaborative approach:  Do they prioritize understanding your business needs and goals?

References:  Request references from past clients to gauge their experience.

3. Cost and Value:

Pricing model:  Do they offer transparent pricing structures (hourly, fixed fee, etc.)?

Value proposition:  How do their services align with your budget and expected return on investment (ROI)?

Multiple quotes:  Obtain quotes from several consultants to compare pricing and the value offered.

4. Additional Considerations

Team size and structure:  Is the team large enough to handle your project effectively?

Success stories:  Do they have case studies showcasing successful projects similar to yours?

Cultural fit:  Choose a consultant you feel comfortable working with and whose culture aligns with your business.

Beyond this checklist, there are other things to consider when choosing an AWS consultant. You can read a detailed guide on “How to Choose the Right AWS Consulting Partners,” which outlines the key factors to consider and what to avoid when looking for an expert AWS consultant. 

Is AWS Consulting Service Cost Effective?

Determining the AWS consulting cost can get quite tricky, mainly because it depends on how complex your project is. However, we can break it down and give you a rough estimate.

There are several factors that come into play when it comes to the cost of consulting. One major factor is the experience level of the consultant you're looking to hire. Senior consultants typically charge more than junior consultants. 

Another big factor is the scope of your project. The bigger and more complex the project, the higher the consulting cost is likely to be.

Location is also important. For example, consultants based in the USA might charge anywhere between $70 to $100 per hour, while those in India could work for a lower rate of $20 to $50 per hour. 

Hiring an AWS consultant can be cost-effective if you need specialized expertise for a complex project. The consultant can help you optimize your AWS usage and reduce costs in the long run.

Consulting firms can provide the expertise and guidance needed for a successful transition if you're venturing into uncharted territory, like entering a new market or developing a new capability.

If your company is stagnating, consulting firms can provide new perspectives and innovative ideas to revitalize your growth strategy.

Sure, hiring an AWS consultant might cost more upfront, but the benefits they bring are top-notch. They can help you design the best possible AWS setup for your needs, so you get the most out of the cloud. This means they can simplify how you run things and come up with a cost-saving plan that really cuts down your expenses.

As a top-rated AWS consulting company, we've assisted over 50 clients worldwide, ensuring their seamless and advantageous cloud migration. If you have any further inquiries, feel free to reach out to us for a free AWS consultation with our experts.

World-renowned companies like Google, Amazon, Netflix, and many others rely on AWS's cloud infrastructure. It's often said that you can't build a powerful infrastructure without a strong foundation. 

When you're kicking off your journey in the cloud, scalability is a crucial factor you can't overlook. If you incorporate this into your business, you can scale up seamlessly. Otherwise, you'll need to go back to square one. 

Your team might build a good cloud infrastructure, but if your goals are bigger and you want to build a platform that grows infinitely, you should consider hiring an AWS consultant. 

They can help you build a scalable infrastructure to improve efficiency.

Do you want to know, how an AWS-certified consultant can help you lay a solid foundation and train your professionals to leverage their expertise and learning, ensuring the infrastructure remains scalable and efficient regardless of the workload?

Check out our detailed post on "How Can AWS Consulting Services Help Improve Efficiency and Scalability?" It explains the key services that make AWS scalable and how an AWS consultant can make it more cost-effective.

Conclusion 

This guide has equipped you with AWS consultants' knowledge, value proposition, selection process, and key considerations for choosing the perfect partner.  By leveraging an AWS consultant's expertise, you can ensure a smooth, optimized, and cost-effective migration to the AWS cloud.

Feeling overwhelmed trying to find the right AWS pattern? Connect with our team of certified experts today. Simply fill out a brief form on our website, and one of our experts will get in touch within 48 hours to tailor a solution just for you.