How to Choose the Right Ping Partner the First Time

When it comes to deploying and managing the #PingIdentity Platform, choosing the right partner is essential. At #Midships, we've grown our reputation by coming in to fix bad implementations—situations where customers were so frustrated they were ready to abandon what we believe is the most complete Identity platform in the market. Validated by Gartner, Forrester, and industry peers alike, the PingIdentity Platform is powerful. However, its full potential can only be realized when implemented correctly by a partner with the right capabilities.

Over the years, we've observed a consistent pattern in failed implementations: the partner lacked not just product expertise, but also the necessary tooling and reusable components. We’re here to share our guidance on how you can choose a partner that will set you up for success from the start.

1. Capability: Look for PingIdentity CERTIFIED Experts

One of the key indicators of a capable partner is having PingIdentity CERTIFIED individuals on the team. You want professionals who have already mastered the platform—no on-the-job training should be necessary. It’s critical that these experts are not just available during the sales phase; they should be fully engaged throughout the entire implementation. Missteps in configuring components like Ping AIS/AIC can have significant impacts on both stability and performance—don't just take our word for it; we can introduce you to customers who have faced serious issues from bad implementations by other SIs. Beware of partners who propose convoluted solutions (e.g., delivering login journeys with 30+ custom scripts); these are clear warning signs.

2. Technical Demonstrations: Demand More Than Just a Smoke and Mirrors Show

A partner’s ability to demonstrate their expertise in a live, technical demo is crucial. They should be able to clearly showcase how they plan to implement and manage the Ping Platform. If their demo seems too polished or, worse, superficial, it should immediately raise alarm bells. A genuine demonstration will be open to technical scrutiny and provide tangible proof of their skills.

3. Openness to External Validation: Embrace Ping PS Reviews

A partner who welcomes oversight from Ping Professional Services (PS) is a partner you can trust. At Midships, we’ve always valued the collaborative relationship with the Ping PS team, as it instils greater confidence in our customers—especially when dealing with a system as critical as authentication in banking. A partner who hesitates to have their work reviewed may be hiding potential issues.

4. Team Integration and Upskilling: Embed and Empower Your Teams

The right partner should be willing to embed your team members into the delivery process. It’s not enough to simply hand over a finished product; a successful implementation requires ongoing knowledge transfer. The goal is for you to eventually run the system independently, without perpetual reliance on the partner. At Midships, we aim to empower our clients to become self-sufficient, even though we often continue to provide level 3 or 4 support for complex or high-severity issues.

5. Automation: End-to-End DevSecOps Practices

Why shouldn’t you follow good DevSecOps practices when working with Ping? The implementation should incorporate end-to-end automation—from configuration and testing to deployment and monitoring. This not only ensures a more reliable system but also streamlines future updates and maintenance. If a partner can’t demonstrate a solid automation strategy, it’s time to reconsider.

6. Avoid Dependency: No Over-Customization That Creates Lock-In

Be wary of partners who propose solutions that create unnecessary dependencies. For example, custom SDKs that deviate from core authentication and authorization standards can lead to long-term issues. The right partner will stick to best practices and avoid over-complicating the implementation with bespoke solutions that might break standard protocols.

7. Simplicity and Proactive Monitoring: Keep It Straightforward and Visible

Identity & Access Management (IAM) is critical to your business operations—it’s the linchpin of your organization’s security and efficiency. In our experience, it’s all too easy to overcomplicate IAM by introducing multiple products or extensive customizations. Fortunately, the Ping ecosystem offers a comprehensive suite of capabilities that can keep your implementation both simple and maintainable.

Ensure that your partner understands the typical deployment patterns recommended by the vendor and is capable of leveraging them effectively. Additionally, they should have demonstrable experience in creating robust dashboards that proactively monitor the platform and its user journeys, including AIC. Since any downtime in IAM can cause business operations to grind to a halt—and because IAM often becomes the scapegoat when issues arise—it’s crucial to ask potential partners how they quickly validate and confirm that your IAM is fully operational at all times.

8. Ask for Help: Leverage Expertise When Needed

If you find yourself in doubt or facing challenges, don’t hesitate to ask for help. At Midships, we’ve always been open to assisting customers who are struggling with subpar implementations. Our expertise with the Ping Platform allows us to quickly diagnose and correct issues—ensuring your system is both stable and secure.

Final Thoughts

For experts like us, the Ping Platform itself isn’t the challenge—it’s the aftermath of a poor implementation by an underqualified partner. By focusing on capability, genuine technical demonstrations, openness to external validation, team integration, thorough automation, keeping things simple with proactive monitoring, and avoiding dependency pitfalls, you can choose the right Ping partner the first time around. And remember, if you ever need a second opinion or help picking up from a mess, Midships is here to support you.

Let’s work together to unlock the full potential of the Ping Platform, ensuring a smooth, robust, and future-proof identity solution.

Feel free to reach out to us at Midships if you’d like to discuss further or need assistance in evaluating your current implementation strategy.

#PingIdentity #forgercok #aic #ais #CIAM #WFM