> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bango.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Partners and hierarchy

> Understand how businesses, brands, and operating companies are represented as Partners in DVM.

A **Partner** is the stable identity of a business, operating company, or brand participating in DVM.

Most businesses need only one Partner. Use a Partner hierarchy only where there is a real business structure that needs to be represented separately.

## Simple Partner structure

A business can operate in DVM with a single Partner:

```text theme={null}
Example Telecom
```

The Partner holds its roles, users, and Regional Entities.

## Partner hierarchy

A Partner can have child Partners where the business operates through distinct brands or operating companies.

```text theme={null}
Example Group
├── Example Mobile
└── Example Broadband
```

Each child is still a Partner with its own identity in DVM.

## What is not a child Partner

Do not create child Partners simply to represent technical differences.

The following belong to Regional Entities rather than Partner hierarchy:

* Environments, such as Sandbox or Production
* Technical endpoints
* Route-specific configuration
* Regions, such as EU or US, where the region does not represent a specific different brand, technical setup, will have different compliance needs or will form different partnerships.

<Note>
  For a brand setup in different countries (rather than Region), this is a typical use of Partner.

  For example, 3 Bank entities across different countries could be best as 3 Partners.

  Please contact Bango if you are unsure of the Partner setup that best suits your needs.
</Note>

For example:

```text theme={null}
Example Telecom
├── US / Sandbox
├── EU / Production
└── US / Production
```

These are Regional Entities belonging to the same Partner, not child Partners.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Partner roles" href="/partner-management/partner-roles">
    Understand how a Partner participates in DVM and the roles that they can take on.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Regional Entities" href="/partner-management/regional-entities">
    Understand how a Partner connects technically.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>