Azure vs Fabric

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Welcome to the Clearly Podcast. After some light-hearted banter about annual leave and running shoes, the discussion shifts to the main topic: Azure vs. Fabric.

The conversation covers the components of Azure and Fabric, focusing on Power BI, Azure Data Factory (ADF), OneLake, and Synapse Analytics. Fabric offers better integration and cost control for users who need multiple components. However, for those using a single component like ADF, the benefits of migrating to Fabric are less clear.

From a customer perspective, streamlining licencing and management is a significant advantage of Fabric. Azure requires separate licences for each component, while Fabric consolidates this into a single licence. This can simplify administration and reduce costs, especially for future expansions.

For on-premise customers considering a move to the cloud, the best approach might be a gradual shift. First, migrate to Azure components, then transition to Fabric. This incremental strategy minimizes service interruptions and spreads out the rearchitecture workload.

There are also scenarios where sticking with Azure might be more practical. If an organization primarily uses components like ADF for non-analytical purposes, the complexity of managing Fabric could outweigh the benefits. The consensus is that while Fabric offers significant advantages for data analytics, Azure components will continue to cater to other use cases, and there is no immediate push for all customers to move to Fabric.

In summary, customers should evaluate their specific needs, considering both immediate and future use cases, to decide between Azure and Fabric. The transition should be planned carefully, leveraging Azure as a stepping stone when moving from on-premise environments.