Being a small business can be tough, especially when resources are limited. This is where Amazon Web Services Inc.’s Think Big for Small Business Program comes into play, according to Lisa Brunet (pictured), managing partner and president of DLZP Group.

“Because of our size, we have limitations on getting the number of certifications, getting the network competencies,” Brunet said. “So with this program it evens the playing field for everybody. Now I’m at the same level as some of the larger primes and I’m able to compete with them head-to-head now.”

DLZP, which specializes in solving business challenges utilizing modern tech, was recently recognized as the “Best Think Big for Small Business partner “during the 2021 AWS Global Public Sector Partner Awards.

Brunet spoke with Natalie Erlich, host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio, during the 2021 Global Public Sector Partner Awards. They discussed DLZP’s partnership with AWS and how the Think Big For Small Business Program has helped the company overcome obstacles and implement serverless solutions. (*Disclosure below.)

How DLZP utilizes TBSB

DLZP has worked with AWS since 2012, back when the cloud was primarily known for storing photos. The company used that cloud storage space to run enterprise resource planning applications, like PeopleSoft. The big obstacles for DLZP involved never being eligible to get a competency from AWS, even though it had them from Oracle and Microsoft. They weren’t eligible because they weren’t an advanced partner, Brunet explained. Getting discounts for training was also an issue.

“Now we get a discount, so I can send everybody for training to make sure that everybody is up to date on their certifications,” she said.

The Think Big for Small Business Pilot Program for AWS Public Sector Partners was announced in August 2020. It was created as an opportunity for small and minority-owned AWS Partners to get access to specific business, technical and marketing support. The program offers access and benefits that can help increase visibility with customers.

DLZP is a leader in deploying innovative solutions into the Amazon Web Services Cloud and a founding member of the AWS Test Drive Program, according to Brunet. She loves being an AWS Partner and thinks that the big difference maker is the support from AWS.

“Any time I have a need, I have everybody’s number. I can reach out to anybody on their team and say, ‘I need assistance with this. I’m looking to try to accomplish this,” she said. “They’ll do anything they can to help us.”

DLZP’s relationship with AWS has evolved to a point where the remote-based company now works with serverless; the company built its website so that it’s 100% serverless, according to Brunet.

“Now we’re developing internal projects where we’re using machine learning for a number of applications,” she said. “We’re going to have a full suite of applications to give our customers that will be run at 100% serverless using machine learning.”

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of the 2021 AWS Global Public Sector Partner Awards. (* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for 2021 AWS Global Public Sector Partner Awards. Neither Amazon Web Services Inc., the sponsor for theCUBE’s event coverage, nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE