# Discovering and managing partner connections
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This section provides detailed instructions for the Partner Discovery and Partner Connections features in AWS Partner Central, helping AWS Partners discover, connect, and collaborate with other AWS Partners.

## Getting started
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**To access these features:**

1. Sign in to [AWS Partner Central](https://partnercentral.awspartner.com/APNLogin).

1. From the left navigation panel, select either:
   + **Partner Discovery** if you want to search for new partners, review their profile details, or send them connection requests
   + **Partner Connections** to send connection invitations or manage active connections and connection requests

**Topics**

# Partner Discovery
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From Partner Discovery, you can find or search for other partners to view their details or send them connection requests.

## Finding partners
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You can search for partners using multiple criteria:
+ **Partner name** - Search by the specific name of a partner organization
+ **Keywords in description** - Find partners based on relevant terms in their company descriptions
+ **Industry** - Filter by specific industry verticals
+ **Location** - Search by country they do business in
+ **Partner program** - Filter by AWS partner program participation
+ **Partner type** - Search by partner classification (Consulting Partner, ISV, Reseller, Distributor)
+ **Specialization** - Find partners with specific competencies or service designations
+ **Solution type** - Filter by the types of solutions partners offer
+ **Connection status** - View partners based on your current connection status with them

### Using search filters
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You can use one or multiple of these available filters to look for the correct partner. The search functionality allows you to:

1. Combine multiple filters for more precise results

1. Refine your search by adding or removing criteria

### Reviewing partner profiles
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After receiving results that satisfy your criteria, you can either:
+ Click on the partner name to view their detailed profile, which includes:
  + Company description and overview
  + Industry focus and expertise areas
  + Partner program participation
  + Specializations
+ Send a connection request directly from the search results

### Best practices for Partner Discovery
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When searching and connecting with other AWS Partners, consider the following:
+ Use specific keywords to narrow your search results
+ Review partner profiles thoroughly before sending connection requests
+ Filter on Location to shortlist Partners in your desired regions
+ Look for partners with relevant AWS competencies

# Partner Connections
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From Partner Connections, you can manage your existing partner connections and active incoming/outgoing connection requests.

## Sending connection requests
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When you find the right partner you want to connect with through Partner Discovery:

**To send a connection request:**

1. Select the partner from your search results.

1. Click the **Send connection request** button.

1. Complete the connection request form by specifying:
   + Your full name
   + Your contact email
   + A personalized message to the recipient explaining why you're requesting the connection

## Viewing and managing connections
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From Partner Connections, you can:
+ **View all existing connections** - See your active partner relationships
+ **Monitor incoming connection requests** - Review requests you've received from other partners within Connection Requests tab. Recipient Partner's Alliance Lead will also get an email when you get a connection request.
+ **Monitor outgoing connection requests** - Track the status of requests you've sent
+ **Take action on requests** - Accept, reject, or respond to connection requests from Connection Requests tab. Sender Partner's Alliance Lead will get an email when your connection request is accepted or rejected by a recipient.

## Managing connections
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### Responding to connection requests
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To manage incoming connection requests:
+ Click on **Partner Connections** tab to view all the active connections
+ Select **Connection Request** tab to view requests with pending response status
+ If you want to accept a request - Select that request, which will establish a connection and enable collaboration opportunities, and accept the connection
+ If you want to reject the request - Just decline it

### Connection request statuses
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Your connection requests can have the following statuses:
+ **Pending response** - Waiting for the recipient to accept or reject
+ **Cancelled** - Request was withdrawn before response
+ **Rejected** - Request was declined by the recipient

### Ending connections
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If you decide to end a connection with your partner, you can do so at any time. Once you end the connection, you won't be able to share any new collaborative opportunities with them. However, don't worry about existing engagements - any opportunities that were shared while your connection was active will continue without any changes.

**To end an connection:**

1. Select the connection from **Partner Connections** tab.

1. Click on **End Connection** button.

### Connection statuses
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Your partner relationships will show one of these statuses:
+ **Connected** - Active connection established, collaboration is possible
+ **Not connected** - The connection was previously ended or never existed, collaboration is not possible

## Collaboration requirements
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**Important**  
An existing connection is required to collaborate on multi-partner opportunities. Partners must maintain active connections to:  
Share opportunities
Collaborate on joint proposals
Participate in multi-partner engagements

## Editing connection preferences
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+ Partners can manage their connection preferences. If a partner does not want their profile details to be discoverable on the Partner discovery page, they can change their partner profile visibility to 'Private'. For more information on creating and updating your partner profile, see Managing your profiles.
+ If partners choose to be discoverable on the discovery page, but do not want to enable receiving connection requests, they can update their Connection request preferences. Partners can also choose to exclude up to 50 specific partners from sending collaboration requests.

## Best practices
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### For connection requests
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+ Personalize your connection messages
+ Clearly explain the potential collaboration benefits
+ Include specific use cases or opportunities
+ Provide your contact information for follow-up

### For managing connections
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+ Regularly review and maintain your partner network
+ Respond promptly to incoming connection requests
+ Keep your own partner profile updated and comprehensive
+ End connections that are no longer relevant or active