5. Getting Support from AWS (and Partners)

Most companies don’t realize how much direct support AWS offers for migrations. And that's understandable — this type of move usually happens once per company lifetime, and by the time it becomes urgent, there’s little appetite for ramping up on programs, processes, or certifications.

Fortunately, AWS has built-in pathways to help companies migrate confidently, without reinventing the wheel or carrying the cost alone.

• A structured migration methodology and tooling

• Direct support from AWS solution architects

• Access to funding based on business case and forecasted spend

• Credits toward service usage during migration

• Cost coverage for working with an AWS-certified migration partner

Depending on your stage, you might also qualify for Startup Activate credits, ISV workload-specific funds, or Build-to-Market acceleration initiatives if you offer cloud-based solutions to customers.

These programs are real and accessible — the key is to show that migration is tied to business value, and that you have a clear path and execution team. In practice, partners usually guide this process and ensure the case is submitted in a way that aligns with AWS incentives.

• Well-Architected Reviews (WARs): structured reviews across five pillars — operational excellence, security, reliability, performance efficiency, and cost optimization.

• Deep dives on specific domains (e.g. container strategy, multi-account setup, access control, data compliance)

• Collaboration with AWS solutions architects assigned to your region or account

This guidance is free and valuable, especially when you're unsure how your planned architecture aligns with AWS best practices. If you’re working with a partner, they typically lead the WAR process and coordinate input from AWS technical teams.

Most migrations don’t happen with AWS engineers on the ground. AWS encourages companies to engage migration-certified partners for one reason: these teams have repeatable experience and understand both the platform and the process.

• You may qualify for co-funding to reduce or eliminate your migration bill

• You gain access to pre-tested architecture templates and automation

• You reduce delivery risk because the migration is executed by a team that’s done it many times before

This doesn’t mean AWS won’t support you directly. It means that the best way to unlock that support is often through a partner-led engagement. Partners act as the bridge: they speak both AWS's internal processes and your team’s language.

Your developers, engineers, and product teams shouldn’t be asked to become migration specialists. Migration is nontrivial, and the tooling, processes, and expectations change every few quarters. Even within AWS, best practices evolve with service updates.

• Existing automation to bootstrap compliant infrastructure

• Code libraries to provision pipelines, EKS, databases, observability

• Pre-built security and backup frameworks

• Experience with pitfalls and cross-team alignment

That way, your team can focus on reviewing decisions, adapting to the new environment, and preparing for ownership once things are live.

AWS makes this possible — and more importantly, they often pay for it.

If you know how to engage.