A cloud reseller is a third-party company authorized by major cloud providers (like AWS, Azure, and GCP) to sell their services to end customers. Resellers act as intermediaries, offering services often bundled with additional support, cloud cost optimization tools, and managed expertise. They simplify procurement and management while helping businesses optimize their cloud spend and operations.
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How does Cloud Reselling work?
Cloud resellers purchase cloud capacity in bulk from providers at discounted rates and resell it to customers, often adding value through support, consulting, and proprietary tools. They manage billing, provide consolidated invoicing, and may offer committed-use discount programs like EDP+ (AWS) or CSP (Azure) to make enterprise-level savings accessible to smaller businesses.
Provider-Wise Explanation:
- AWS: Resellers leverage programs like the AWS Partner Network to resell services, often providing discounted pricing through negotiated enterprise agreements and offering billing management.
- Azure: Through the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program, resellers manage subscriptions, offer consolidated billing, and provide technical support and cost optimization services.
- GCP: Resellers leverage Google Partner Advantage to resell services, often bundling committed-use discounts and hands-on support for cost management and architecture reviews.
Common Services which Cloud Resellers Cover
- AWS: EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, and most core services. Discount programs like Savings Plans and Reserved Instances are often managed by resellers.
- GCP: Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, BigQuery, and AI/ML services, with support for sustained-use discounts and custom commitments.
- Azure: Virtual Machines, Blob Storage, Azure SQL, and DevOps services, often with Azure Hybrid Benefit and CSP-based pricing.
Services Cloud Resellers Cannot Cover:
- Provider-specific niche or emerging services with limited reseller program support.
- Marketplace third-party SaaS subscriptions (e.g., Datadog, MongoDB Atlas) unless integrated via the reseller’s billing.
- Low-level infrastructure management requiring direct provider support (e.g., hardware-level outages).
Benefits of Going with a Cloud Reseller
- Cost Savings: Access to bulk discounts and flexible commitment terms without enterprise-scale spend.
- Simplified Billing: Consolidated invoicing and transparent cost tracking across services.
- Expert Support: Dedicated account management and technical guidance for optimization.
- Reduced Operational Overhead: Resellers handle contract negotiations, discount management, and reporting.
- Faster Onboarding: Streamlined setup and migration support for new cloud adopters.
Common Limitations Associated with Cloud Resellers
Vendor Lock-in: Long-term contracts or discounts tied to a specific reseller.
- Limited Direct Provider Support: Issues may require reseller intermediation, slowing resolution.
- Service Gaps: Not all cloud services or regions may be covered under reseller agreements.
- Margin Markups: Resellers may add fees, reducing potential savings compared to direct deals.
- Complex Exit Clauses: Terminating contracts early may involve penalties or operational hurdles.
Why CloudKeeper is a Leading Cloud Reseller Partner
CloudKeeper combines reseller discounts with hands-on FinOps expertise, offering end-to-end cost optimization, automated tools, and tailored enterprise discount programs like EDP+ for AWS. Its unified platform provides granular visibility, actionable insights, and continuous optimization beyond typical reseller offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do resellers charge extra fees?
Some resellers include marginal markups or service fees, but these are often offset by the discounted rates and added value they provide through support and tools.
Q2. Can I migrate away from a reseller easily?
Yes, but carefully review contract terms to avoid exit penalties. Your resources remain in your cloud account, ensuring technical portability.
Q3. Do resellers manage my cloud resources?
Not unless you opt for managed services. Most resellers focus on billing, discounts, and advisory support, not direct resource management.
Q4. Are reseller discounts better than going direct?
For SMBs, resellers often provide better flexibility and accessibility to discounts. Large enterprises may negotiate comparable rates directly.
Q5. How do resellers handle support tickets?
Resellers typically act as the first point of contact, triaging issues before escalating to the cloud provider if necessary, which can streamline support.
