Smart421 announces that it is officially confirmed on the Amazon Partner Network (APN) by Amazon Web Services (AWS), making it the first APN member in the United Kingdom at Advanced Consulting Partner level which is itself an enterprise and FTSE250 listed business. The move is significant as it assures Smart421 customers full access to its design, architecture, integration and managed services certified at Advanced Consulting Partner level, the highest grade certification possible under the APN program.

Robin Meehan, CTO at Smart421, said “We are seeing a growing number of UK enterprises joining the Cloud revolution. Many are benefitting from the combination of our services in Cloud architecture and integration where we have built on AWS’s enterprise-grade Cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).”

Neil Miles, Managing Director at Smart421, said “We continue to support CIOs with market leading solutions. AWS is widely acknowledged to be global leader in Cloud computing. We are recognised for our thought leadership and proactive partnering business model which enables us to deliver transformational IT and enterprise solutions to our Customers.”

Martin Brazill, Director of Sales & Marketing at Smart421, said "Smart421's partnership with AWS is already allowing us to deliver our customers a business and technical advantage. Whereas early Cloud adoption started with small and medium size businesses in sectors such as the media and gaming, we are now delivering business-critical IT with large enterprises operating in complex regulated markets.”

APN was first revealed earlier this year as a replacement for the AWS Solution Provider scheme. It is designed to help AWS expand its global footprint and commercial reach through a comprehensive channel strategy.

Smart421’s AWS Practice Manager is Steve Williams, a Solutions Designer of on-premise and Cloud-based IT systems, assisted by Malcolm North as deputy Practice lead, who specialises in architecting for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The AWS Practice has grown rapidly this year as Smart421 embrace Cloud across its Consultancy, Service Management and Development teams.

Smart421’s strategy is to sustain its business growth by delivering and supporting relevant technological change to through its portfolio of services to existing customers as well as to build its future client acquisition strategy.

Notes to editors

About Smart421

Smart421 delivers high-end consultancy, integration and management of business-critical IT systems for large enterprises operating in regulated markets. Smart421 has been an AWS partner since 2010. Among its recent engagements, Smart421 has been architecting and delivering solutions for major UK enterprises including a UK power utility, a mobile telco and a UK retail bank.

Smart421 is part of the KCOM Group plc (LSE: KCOM.L) a FTSE250 business with an annual turnover of £0.4bn, 1,800 staff and offices in major locations across the UK.