Working with an Esri Gold Partner: What's the Big Deal?
Not All GIS Partners Are Equal: Here's What Sets an Esri Gold Partner Apart
An Esri Gold Partner is a company Esri has certified for advanced expertise in ArcGIS products and services; one that meets rigorous technical standards, holds verified certifications, and maintains a direct relationship with Esri.
“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?
What You Need to Know
- Esri Gold Partners meet rigorous technical standards set by Esri
- dymaptic holds certifications in ArcGIS Enterprise, Online, Pro, Python, and Developer tools
- Gold Partners have direct access to Esri support and staff
- Working with a Gold Partner means faster issue resolution and future-ready GIS solutions
- dymaptic offers the expertise of a large firm with the agility of a small team
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? )
Being a Gold Partner also means that the dymaptic team collaborates 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. As a services partner, dymaptic focuses on configuring and building custom GIS applications for clients.
- Startup Partners: This category is for emerging businesses that offer mapping and location intelligence into their products and services. (Startup Partner was dymaptic’s initial entry into the EPN!)
- Member Partners: These companies have demonstrated basic competency in Esri products and services. They provide foundational GIS solutions and support.
- Gold Partners: (Hey, that’s us!) Gold Partners are recognized as experts in the Esri ecosystem. We bring a higher level of expertise and resources to your project.
- Platinum Partners: This is the top echelon of Esri partners. Platinum partners are typically large firms, and the names you might see as marquee sponsors for large-scale events like the Esri User Conference.
Why Should You Work With an Esri Gold Partner?
As a Gold Partner, dymaptic brings deep expertise in Esri products combined with the agility of a small and nimble team, giving clients a customized approach that larger firms often can't match.
Here’s what our Gold Partnership means to your projects:
What Esri Certifications Does the Dymaptic Team Hold?
Along with our many years of experience, we have multiple team members who hold certifications from Esri in key areas such as:
- ArcGIS Enterprise Administration
- ArcGIS Online Administration
- ArcGIS Pro Professional
- ArcGIS API for Python
- ArcGIS Developer
Not 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.
How Does Dymaptic Stay Ahead of Changes in Esri Technology?
The dymaptic team maintains 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.
How Does Gold Partner Status Improve Esri Support for Clients?
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.
How Does Dymaptic Keep Up With GIS Industry Best Practices?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an Esri Gold Partner?
An Esri Gold Partner (like dymaptic) is a company recognized by Esri for advanced expertise in ArcGIS products and services, meeting rigorous technical and certification requirements.
Q: What is the difference between Esri Partner tiers?
The Esri Partner Network has four tiers: Startup, Member, Gold, and Platinum. Gold Partners demonstrate expert-level proficiency, while Platinum Partners are typically large enterprise firms.
Q: Why work with a Gold Partner instead of a Platinum Partner?
Gold Partners like dymaptic offer the same technical depth with a more customized, agile approach suited to clients who want personalized service rather than a large-firm engagement model.
Q: Does dymaptic have direct access to Esri support?
Yes. As a Gold Partner, dymaptic has a dedicated technical liaison to connect clients directly with the right Esri internal teams for fast issue resolution.
We Are Proud to Be an Esri Gold Partner!
At the end of the day, the Gold Partnership is not the primary reason to choose dymaptic. Work with dymaptic 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 dymaptic can help you leverage Esri technology to achieve your goals.