One of the biggest challenges that data professionals face right now is using data tools efficiently. Microsoft offers a comprehensive suite of powerful data tools, but previously, they all operated independently. This means data teams are constantly shifting back and forth between apps throughout the workday.
But after an exciting announcement at Microsoft Build, it’s clear that all of that is about to change.
At the conference, Microsoft Fabric was introduced. Fabric is a new platform that pulls all of Microsoft’s data tools into a single place.
This product announcement got the whole industry buzzing because it means you don’t have to keep wasting time navigating through a confusing mess of tools. Now you’ll have access to everything you need right at your fingertips.
What is Microsoft Fabric?
Microsoft Fabric is a comprehensive data analytics solution that brings existing Microsoft data solutions together. Both data professionals and end users will conveniently be able to access data in a variety of different formats in the same place.
Fabric brings together popular tools like your Azure data lake, Power BI reporting, and Synapse workspaces for efficient data consolidation. The platform centers around OneLake, which is a data lake that allows you to store and manage any Microsoft-compatible file type, ranging from CSV to PBIX to Parquet.
Why We’re Excited About Microsoft Fabric
Microsoft Fabric is solving one of the pain points for data professionals—constantly having to switch between data systems.
Consolidating the data tools you’re already using saves time and makes your workflows more efficient. With everything in one central hub, it’s easier for your entire team to stay organized.
Overall, we expect to spend less time jumping back and forth between apps and more time generating real value for clients. We’ll be able to set up data lakes, data lake houses, and data warehouses more quickly and manage Power BI reports more effectively.
What Will AI Look Like in Microsoft Fabric?
AI tools are making a big splash in the tech world right now, and you can expect to see plenty of AI functionality in Microsoft Fabric as well.
Microsoft Copilot is another exciting development from Microsoft. Copilot is an open AI tool that’s already been integrated into Microsoft 365, and it will be present in Microsoft Fabric as well.
Copilot uses large language models to support you with your data analytics tasks. This AI tool will help you generate data pipelines, data flows, or even a data warehouse based on the queries or scenarios you provide.
More Fabric Details You Need to Know
Microsoft Fabric is currently in preview, with a free trial available. The full platform is expected to hit the market in July 2023.
There will be two ways to purchase Microsoft Fabric. The first is a pay-as-you-go model, similar to what Microsoft Azure already offers. Licenses will start at $263 per month, depending on your data and capacity needs. Microsoft Power BI users can also opt to pay a monthly subscription on top of their current Power BI license.
Microsoft Fabric will include a broad range of tools, such as:
- Power BI reporting
- Azure Data Factory for ETL pipelines and data flows
- Synapse workflows
- Data Activator
Build Your Enterprise Data Architecture With Collectiv
Here at Collectiv, all of our consultants are excited about Microsoft Fabric and all of the exciting possibilities it offers.
We know the ins and outs of the Microsoft data ecosystem, and we’re here to help you implement Microsoft Fabric into your data management. If you’re itching to get started with Fabric and want to learn more about how it will transform your data analytics, get in touch with the Collectiv team.
