Our partners play an important role in all that we do, and we are always looking for ways to showcase and help them differentiate themselves in the market. Last year, we launched the Google Cloud Partner Advantage program to help them do exactly that. Since then, we’ve added new certifications,expanded our Expertise areas to cover new priority solutions, and added new specializations. According to our most recent Forrester study, certification, expertise, and specializations are three of the top areas partners talk about when it comes to growing their business—and it’s why all three play a key role in our program.

As we look ahead to the second half of 2020, we wanted to share updates to the Partner Advantage program across several core areas.

Certifications
Recognition as a certified professional on Google Cloud or G Suite is the first major step an individual can take to demonstrate their level of skill and knowledge on Google Cloud. We offer several learning and training opportunities of which you can take advantage:

• Use the certification interest form to get started on certifications.

• Take proctored exams online or at a local testing center. Click here to register.

• Consider learning opportunities such as Partner Certification Kickstart (PCK) programs that allow you to take accelerated, self-paced courses and hands-on training in six weeks or less. PCK Sprint, in particular, enables technical partners on GCP products through a mix of virtual classes, SME sessions and CloudHero games. Or Google Courses powered by Qwiklabs, which provides a central location for on demand training and hands on labs.

• Join upcoming webinars, such as the “Why Certify Now?” webcast on Wednesday, August 5. We’re also launching the Professional Machine Learning Engineer certification in October, so you can also register to learn more about the Professional Machine Learning Engineer certification.

Customer success
Customer success is the driving force behind a partner’s entire differentiation journey. Highlighting your customer wins and showcasing what you do in the market along the way builds credibility. Customer success stories also help you meet eligibility requirements for Expertise (one public story required) and Specialization (at least three required). 

To help you easily share your customer wins, we’ve introduced a new customer success story tool to accelerate and simplify highlighting your phenomenal stories—find it on the Partner Advantage portal. 

While you can find a wealth of partner customer showcases on the Google Cloud Partner Directory, here are a few of the many great examples of customer success from our partners:

• Mondelēz and MightyHive: Personalizing CPG sales and marketing on a global scale

• DxTerity and Pluto7: Using data-driven precision medicine to combat autoimmune disease

• Mitsubishi Motors and Aeris Communications: Fueling customer engagement with the connected car

Expertise
Partner Expertise demonstrates your early customer success at a more granular level across products, priority solutions, and/or industries segments, based on a defined set of requirements, including customer evidence. All partners are welcome to apply for Partner Expertise, no matter the business model.

New Expertise areas for which Partners can apply:

• Google Meet

• Mainframe Modernization

• Microsoft on Google Cloud

• Migrate Oracle Workloads to Google Cloud

Our partners continue to showcase their commitment via Expertise in solutions and industries:

• NORTHAM: Maven Wave, Pluto7 Consulting Inc, Softserve Inc., SpringML

• EMEA: Ancoris, Cloudreach, Fourcast, PA Consulting Group

• APAC: Cloud Comrade, CloudMile Limited, Pluto Seven Business Solutions Private Limited, Searce

• LATAM: Colaborativa, Dedalus Prime, Qi Network, Safetec Informatica

• JAPAN: Cloud Ace, Inc., Enisias

Specialization
Partner Specialization remains the highest level of achievement within the partner journey. It represents the strongest signal of proficiency and experience with Google Cloud, while helping you maintain a consistent practice that delights the customer. Congratulations to all of our partners who have achieved this milestone or renewed in 1H 2020:

Application Development
Infogain Corporation | PA CONSULTING GROUP | Qvik Ltd | SpringML

Cloud Migration 
CLOUD COMRADE

Data Analytics
Atos

Education
CLOUDPOINT OY | Deploy Learning | Five-Star Technology Solutions | Foreducation EdTech | Gestion del conocimiento digital ieducando | NUVEM MESTRA | OPENNETWORKS | STREET SMART Inc.

Infrastructure
Appsbroker Limited | Cloudbakers | CLOUDPILOTS | Cognizant | Opticca Consulting 

Machine Learning
iKala | NT Concepts

Marketing Analytics
Aliz Technologies | SingleView

Training
Jellyfish Training | LearnQuest

Work Transformation
Cloudypedia | eSource Capital | Huware Srl | Intelligence Partner | NGC (New Generation Cloud) | Softline | TS Cloud

Work Transformation Enterprise
Davinci Technologies | NextNovate|  Nubalia | S&E Cloud Experts | Safetec Informática|  Softline  Vodafone | Wipro Limited

Announcing two new Specialization areas
We are also pleased today to announce two new Specialization areas: SAP on Google Cloud and Data Management. Congratulations to our launch partners who are blazing the trail in these new areas.

Data Management 
Cognizant | Deloitte | DoIt | Pythian

SAP on Google Cloud
Accenture | Deloitte | HCL | ManageCore  | Tech Mahindra

Take the journey with us! For our partners who want to accelerate their Partner Advantage Differentiation journey today, please fill out this form and we will contact you directly. 

Looking for a partner in your region who has achieved an expertise and/or specialization? Search our global Partner Directory. Not yet a Google Cloud partner? Visit Partner Advantage and learn how to become one today!