Azure Synapse Analytics: Limitless Analytics Service Guide
Azure Synapse Analytics is Microsoft's unified analytics platform combining data warehousing, big data processing, and data integration. It provides serverless SQL pools (pay-per-query), dedicated SQL pools (formerly SQL Data Warehouse), and Apache Spark pools. In 2026, Microsoft Fabric supersedes Synapse for new implementations. EPC Group helps enterprises run existing Synapse workloads and plan migrations to Microsoft Fabric. 29 years of Microsoft experience.
Key facts
- Azure Synapse Analytics combines data warehousing, Spark big data, and data integration in one service.
- Three compute options: serverless SQL pool (pay-per-TB scanned), dedicated SQL pool (DWU-based), Apache Spark pool.
- Microsoft Fabric supersedes Synapse for new projects — Synapse is the migration path, not the destination.
- Integrates natively with Power BI, Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, Azure Machine Learning, and Microsoft Purview.
- EPC Group: 29 years Microsoft consulting. Former Microsoft Gold Partner (2003–2022, oldest in North America). All six Microsoft Solutions Partner designations.
- Fixed-fee Synapse and Fabric implementations available at 30–40% below Big 4 rates.
What is Azure Synapse Analytics?
Azure Synapse Analytics is a unified analytics platform. It combines four capabilities in one service:
- Data warehousing — Dedicated SQL pools (formerly SQL Data Warehouse) for structured data at petabyte scale.
- Serverless SQL — Query data in Azure Data Lake Storage without a dedicated cluster. Pay per TB scanned.
- Apache Spark — Managed Spark clusters for big data ETL, machine learning, and streaming.
- Data integration — Synapse Pipelines (built on Azure Data Factory) for data movement and transformation.
Synapse Studio provides a unified development environment for all four workload types in one browser-based IDE.
Azure Synapse vs. Microsoft Fabric (2026)
Microsoft Fabric launched in 2023 as the next-generation unified analytics platform. It incorporates Synapse capabilities plus Power BI, Data Factory, and more into a single SaaS offering.
For 2026 planning:
- Existing Synapse workloads — Continue running. Synapse remains fully supported. Microsoft has not announced a deprecation date.
- New analytics projects — Start with Microsoft Fabric. OneLake, Lakehouse, and Fabric Data Warehouse provide the same capabilities in a more unified, SaaS-managed model.
- Migration — EPC Group helps organizations migrate Synapse dedicated SQL pools and Spark workloads to Microsoft Fabric at planned timelines.
Azure Synapse Compute Options
Serverless SQL Pool
Serverless SQL pool queries data in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 using T-SQL without a dedicated compute cluster. Pricing:
- Pay per TB of data scanned — $5/TB scanned (approximately).
- No cluster provisioning or management required.
- Best for ad-hoc exploration and infrequent queries over large data lake files.
Dedicated SQL Pool
Dedicated SQL pools provide a provisioned MPP data warehouse. Pricing:
- Priced in Data Warehouse Units (DWUs). Scale from 100 DWU to 30,000 DWU.
- Pause/resume to stop billing when not in use.
- Best for consistent, high-volume query workloads requiring predictable performance.
Apache Spark Pool
Managed Spark clusters with auto-scaling and auto-pause. Pricing:
- Priced per vCore hour. Auto-pause after idle period stops billing automatically.
- Supports Python, Scala, R, and Spark SQL.
- Best for ETL pipelines, machine learning training, and streaming analytics.
Security and Compliance
Azure Synapse Analytics supports compliance-first deployments. Key security controls:
- Managed virtual networks — Run Synapse compute in a managed VNet with private endpoints for all data source connections.
- Azure Private Link — Data exfiltration protection. Prevent data from leaving the approved network path.
- Entra ID integration — Identity-based access control for all Synapse workspaces, SQL pools, and Spark jobs.
- Column-level security — Restrict access to sensitive columns (SSN, salary) by Entra ID group or user.
- Row-level security — Dynamic filter policies restrict which rows each user can see. Common for multi-tenant analytics.
- Dynamic Data Masking — Mask sensitive data fields for non-privileged users without changing the underlying data.
- Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) — All data at rest encrypted with AES-256.
Synapse Integrations
Azure Synapse integrates natively with the Microsoft analytics stack:
- Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 — Native storage for Synapse data lakes. Serverless SQL and Spark pools both read and write directly to ADLS Gen2.
- Power BI — Synapse Studio supports in-workspace Power BI report development. Direct Query from Power BI to Synapse dedicated SQL pools.
- Azure Machine Learning — Run ML experiments on Synapse Spark pools. Operationalize models trained on Synapse data.
- Microsoft Purview — Scan Synapse assets for data lineage, classification, and sensitivity labeling.
- Azure Cosmos DB via Synapse Link — Real-time operational analytics on Cosmos DB data without ETL.
EPC Group Synapse Consulting
EPC Group has delivered Synapse Analytics implementations for Fortune 500 clients since the service launched. We hold all six Microsoft Solutions Partner designations. We were the oldest continuous Microsoft Gold Partner in North America (2003–2022).
Our Synapse services include:
- Architecture design: data lake design, compute tier selection, and Purview governance.
- Migration: on-premises data warehouse to Synapse dedicated SQL pool or Microsoft Fabric.
- Optimization: DWU rightsizing, materialized view design, and result set caching.
- Compliance: HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and GDPR controls configured at deployment.
- Migration to Microsoft Fabric: planned migration path for clients ready to move from Synapse to Fabric.
Frequently asked questions
What is Azure Synapse Analytics?
Azure Synapse Analytics is Microsoft's unified analytics platform combining data warehousing (dedicated SQL pool), serverless SQL (pay-per-TB), Apache Spark, and data integration pipelines in one service with a unified Studio IDE.
Is Azure Synapse still relevant in 2026?
Yes for existing deployments — Synapse is fully supported and not deprecated. For new projects, Microsoft Fabric is the recommended platform. EPC Group helps clients run existing Synapse workloads and plan Fabric migrations at the right time.
What is the difference between Synapse serverless SQL and dedicated SQL?
Serverless SQL queries data in the data lake and charges per TB scanned — no cluster provisioning. Dedicated SQL pool is a provisioned MPP data warehouse priced in DWUs — better for consistent, high-volume workloads that need predictable performance and cache benefits.
How does Synapse relate to Microsoft Fabric?
Microsoft Fabric launched in 2023 and incorporates Synapse capabilities (and more) in a unified SaaS platform. Synapse dedicated SQL pools and Spark pools have equivalents in Fabric (Fabric Data Warehouse, Fabric Spark Notebook). EPC Group plans Fabric migration timelines for all Synapse clients.
Does Azure Synapse support HIPAA?
Yes. With managed VNet, Private Link, column-level and row-level security, Dynamic Data Masking, TDE, and Entra ID integration, Azure Synapse supports HIPAA-compliant analytics architectures. EPC Group has built HIPAA-compliant Synapse environments for healthcare clients.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Azure Synapse Analytics?
Azure Synapse Analytics is a limitless analytics service that brings together enterprise data warehousing and big data analytics under one platform. Built on a massively parallel processing (MPP) architecture, it distributes complex analytical queries across compute nodes for high-speed performance. Synapse decouples compute from storage, allowing organizations to scale processing power independently of data volumes.
What is the difference between Azure Synapse and Microsoft Fabric?
Azure Synapse Analytics is a PaaS analytics service focused on data warehousing and big data processing. Microsoft Fabric is the next-generation SaaS unified analytics platform built on OneLake. Both coexist in the Azure ecosystem. Existing Synapse deployments remain fully supported, while new greenfield projects should evaluate Fabric first, especially for organizations already using Power BI Premium capacity.
What are serverless SQL pools in Azure Synapse?
Serverless SQL pools provide on-demand query capabilities against data in Azure Data Lake Storage without requiring any provisioned infrastructure. You pay only for the data processed by each query. Every Synapse workspace includes a built-in serverless SQL endpoint at no additional base cost, making it ideal for ad hoc exploration, data profiling, and logical data warehouse patterns.
How do Apache Spark pools work in Synapse?
Apache Spark pools in Synapse provide fully managed, serverless Spark clusters for big data processing, machine learning, and data engineering. Spark pools auto-scale based on workload demands and support Python, Scala, SQL, R, and .NET languages through integrated notebooks. They are the natural choice for data science teams working with unstructured data and building ML models.
How does Synapse integrate with other Azure data services?
Synapse integrates natively with Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 for data storage, Power BI for visualization (including in-workspace report development), Azure Machine Learning for ML operationalization, Azure Purview for data governance, and Azure Cosmos DB via Synapse Link for real-time operational analytics. Synapse Pipelines connect to 95+ data sources for ETL/ELT workflows.
What is the migration path from Synapse to Microsoft Fabric?
Microsoft provides the Fabric Migration Assistant for dedicated SQL pools to facilitate migration. Spark-based workloads migrate more straightforwardly than SQL-based ones. Microsoft benchmarks show Fabric Data Warehouse delivers 50-90% faster query performance at similar price points. Many organizations adopt a hybrid coexistence strategy, running Synapse for production warehousing while piloting Fabric for new workloads.