“What exactly is an Esri Gold Partner?” is a question we sometimes get from clients. For us, it means that we value our relationship with Esri and that we work hard to develop and maintain our expertise on ArcGIS software and to support Esri. But what does it mean to a client? And what is the difference between us and other tiers of partner?
One of the main reasons that dymaptic worked to become a Gold Partner is to be recognized for our technical capabilities. Esri holds their Gold Partners to a high standard, requiring that we demonstrate expertise in a variety of Esri systems and products. Our team has collectively spent decades working in the GIS industry and is deeply familiar with ArcGIS Products. I myself spent three years working at Esri building applications. Not only did we pass the technical requirements for Gold Partnership with flying colors, we continue to attend trainings and gain new certifications each year, continuing our education and demonstrating our commitment to the technology.
(Of course, there are over 100 Esri Products, so it would be disingenuous to say we have experience with all of them. That said, we have seen a lot of those products in action, and we can at least help point you in the right direction or to the right source to figure out what you need. Have a question about one of those products? We're always ready to talk ArcGIS!)
Being a Gold Partner also means that we collaborate with Esri to ensure that our mutual clients are getting the most out of their GIS. Sometimes that means attending or sponsoring conferences; at other times it means bringing in Esri when a client needs some specialized support. And even other times it means Esri asking us if we could support a client that is looking for the type of specialized assistance we offer. We have the relationships with Esri staff and other partners to stay on top of what’s going on in the geospatial world and can bring those relationships into any engagement with our clients to ensure they get the best possible solution and service.
Most importantly, we think being a Gold Partner serves to help differentiate us and allows our clients to make more informed decisions when selecting vendors. I am biased, and I think you should *almost* always choose us, but there are times when we will refer you to one of our partners if we don’t have the right skillset.
To understand why, let’s look at the Esri Partner Network (EPN) levels. I’ll add that some Esri partners offer products (solutions) or content. Dymaptic is a services partner, because the core of our work is providing services. Primarily, we configure and build applications for our clients.
- Startup Partners: This category is for emerging businesses that offer mapping and location intelligence into their products and services. (Dymaptic’s initial entry into the EPN was as a Startup Partner!)
Why Work With Us?
As a Gold Partner, we have a deep level of expertise in Esri products, but as a small, nimble team we also offer our clients the advantage of a customized, agile approach.
Here’s what our Gold Partnership means to your projects:
Along with our many years of experience, we have multiple team members who hold certifications from Esri in key areas such as:
- ArcGIS Enterprise AdministrationNot only do we have the knowledge and skills to handle your most challenging GIS needs, but we have also gone through the effort of getting certified, demonstrating to others that we have those skills.
We maintain close, ongoing relationships with Esri staff, including developers and product owners. This access allows us to stay ahead of industry trends and be aware of upcoming changes in Esri technology.
For you, this means we can anticipate shifts in the GIS landscape and help you make more informed decisions. We’re able to recommend solutions with future technologies in mind, positioning your project for long-term success.
If a technical issue arises, Gold Partners like dymaptic have a technical liaison that can help us get to the right internal team. Whether it's a complex bug or a need for clarification on product functionality or licensing, we can go straight to the source to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
The GIS world evolves rapidly, and, as a Gold Partner, we are required to stay on top of these changes. This ongoing commitment to education and industry knowledge means that when you work with dymaptic, you're not just working with a vendor – you’re gaining a partner who is always up-to-date with the latest tools, best practices, and innovative approaches to GIS.
We are proud to be an Esri Gold Partner!
At the end of the day though, our Gold Partnership is not the reason to choose to work with us. Work with us because of our customized approach to finding the right solution for each client, our proven track of success, as evidenced by our customer return rate, and our obsession with getting things right.
Ready to Elevate Your GIS Projects?
Let’s discuss how we can help you leverage Esri technology to achieve your goals.
Contact us today to learn more and start your next GIS project with confidence!