You might have heard about “Microsoft Fabric” trending recently on social media and wondered why it is essential you know what it is about. In this article you will have a better understanding of the platform and why you should care about it.

Microsoft Fabric - A Unified Umbrella

Microsoft announced this tool or service called  Microsoft Fabric and it is the core of the data intelligence platform in Microsoft at the moment. Microsoft is calling this a unified data analytics platform, it covers a lot of areas like data engineering, data science, and data governance all in one place.

• Data Science: Synapse
• Data Warehousing: Synapse
• Data Engineering: Synapse
• Data Integration: Data Factory
• Storage: OneLake
• Real-Time Analytics: Synapse
• Business Intelligence: Power BI
• Action platform: Data Activator
• Governance: Purview

In an analytics project, you would need different technologies to visualize the data, such as Power BI, and Tableau, for data transformation you might need Azure Data Factory, using Microsoft  Purview for the governance of the data at the end of the day your organization might end up using over 30 tools in the Microsoft space alone, not including  AWS and the rest of them. 

Although this is a comprehensive and integrated system, it comprises various components. Data Factory serves as an integration service with over 150 pre-built connectors. Microsoft relies on its Synapse-branded data tools to provide data engineering and data science capabilities, enabling data scientists to develop AI models. On the other end of the spectrum, Power BI allows business analysts and other users to extract insights from a vast amount of data. Additionally, the new no-code Data Activator service enables users to trigger specific actions based on real-time data.

How you can utilize Microsoft Fabric as a Power BI developer/ Data Engineer

• Streamlining data integration: With Fabric's integration of Data Factory, you can efficiently integrate and unify data from hybrid and multi-cloud environments. The seamless integration with Power Query and Data Factory simplifies the process, allowing me to extract value from diverse data sources.
• Improving data engineering workflows: Fabric's utilization of Azure Synapse empowers the enhancement of data engineering workflows by offering a potent Spark platform and fostering collaborative authoring experiences.
• Building a unified data warehouse: By leveraging Synapse Data Warehouse within Fabric, you can work with industry-leading SQL performance and scalability. This allows you to establish a unified open format for data engineering, data warehousing, and BI analytics, ensuring a reliable and consistent source of truth for all stakeholders. This integrated approach saves time, and resources, and provides dependable insights.

Conclusion

Microsoft Fabric and Copilot in Microsoft Power BI change the game for data engineers and Power BI developers. They provide an unmatched unified analytics platform that leverages powerful AI capabilities, enables seamless collaboration, and optimizes data workflows. You now have the ability to unlock the full power of your data, derive actionable insights, and push innovation within our respective organizations by leveraging the potential of Fabric.

FAQs

Q: When will Microsoft Fabric be accessible?

A: Microsoft Fabric is already in a preview phase, and certain experiences are presently accessible. However, availability may differ based on specific components and features. For the most up-to-date information on availability, it is recommended to refer to Microsoft's official announcements and documentation.

Q: How can I start using Microsoft Fabric?

A: To start your Microsoft Fabric journey, you can activate the Fabric tenant setting within the Power BI admin portal. This will grant you access to Fabric for your Power BI tenant. Additionally, Microsoft provides a complimentary trial of Fabric, allowing you to delve into its capabilities firsthand. Detailed instructions on getting started can be found in the official documentation and resources provided by Microsoft.

Q: Can Power BI Pro users utilize the features of Microsoft Fabric?

A: Indeed, Power BI Pro users can leverage the functionalities of Microsoft Fabric through capacity trials. By participating in these trials, Power BI Pro users can explore the features and advantages of Fabric within their existing Power BI environment.