Amazon Web Services (AWS) is expanding the number of competencies that its Amazon Partner Network (APN) members can attain to show specific cloud and technology expertise. The public cloud giant launched both storage and life science competencies this week. Both are now available to qualifying APN members.

The storage and life science competencies add to the existing five competencies already available to APN partners: Big Data, managed services, Microsoft, SAP and Oracle. With such a hefty focus on solutions from specific vendors, it’s good to see Amazon taking an interest in expanding its general technology expertise competencies for partners.

As Jeff Barr, chief evangelist for Amazon Web Services, noted in a blog post, existing ISVs and systems integrators can apply for the new competencies via the APN portal.

But what’s involved in each of the competencies? Barr explained.

Storage competency partners are able to help customers evaluate use techniques and technologies that enable effective storage data on the AWS cloud. The competency is broken down into search categories—including backup, archive, disaster recovery, and primary file storage/cloud NAS—so that customers can easily find partners with the storage expertise they require.

The initial storage competency partners include Avere Systems, CommVault Systems, CTERA Networks, Druva, Riverbed Technology (RVBD) and Zadara Storage.

As for the life sciences competency, the partners that earn the designation can help customers conduct drug discovery, manage clinical trials, initiate manufacturing and distribution activities, and do research and development of genetic-based treatments and companion diagnostics. Initial partners include Seven Bridges Genomics, DNAnexus, Cycle Computing, Medidata Solutions Worldwide, Core Informatics, Syapse, BioTeam, Booz Allen Hamilton, Cognizant, G2 Technology Group, HCL Technologies, Infosys and Wipro.