Data Architecture Consulting | Enterprise Data Solutions
EPC Group designs and builds modern enterprise data architectures on Azure — data lakes, data warehouses, data lakehouses, and real-time analytics platforms. We work with Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, Databricks, and Microsoft Purview for governance. Enterprise Microsoft experience since 1997. Fortune 500 and federal government clients.
Key Facts
- EPC Group delivers data architecture consulting across Azure Synapse, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, Azure Data Lake Storage, and Azure Event Hubs.
- Compliance-first data architecture for healthcare (HIPAA), financial services (SOC 2), and government (FedRAMP).
- Data architecture engagements follow a 5-phase methodology: Assess, Design, Build, Migrate, Optimize.
- EPC Group has completed 11,000+ enterprise Microsoft engagements since 1997.
- Engagements are delivered under fixed-fee Statements of Work scoped during discovery.
Data Architecture Consulting
Last updated by Errin O'Connor, Founder & Chief AI Architect, EPC Group
Modernize your enterprise data infrastructure with scalable, secure, and cost-effective data architectures. We design solutions that maximize the value of your data.
- Data modeling
- Cloud data platforms
Comprehensive Data Architecture Services
End-to-end data architecture consulting designed for enterprise complexity. From strategy to implementation, we are your trusted data architecture partner.
Data Modeling
Design scalable, performant data models that form the foundation of your enterprise analytics. We create dimensional models, entity-relationship diagrams, and semantic layers optimized for your business needs.
- Dimensional modeling (Star/Snowflake)
- Entity-relationship design
- Data vault architecture
- Semantic layer development
- Master data management
- Data catalog implementation
Data Lake Architecture
Build modern data lakes that store structured and unstructured data at scale. Our lakehouse architectures combine the flexibility of data lakes with the governance of data warehouses.
- Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
- Delta Lake implementation
- Zone-based architecture (Raw/Curated/Consumption)
- Data lakehouse patterns
- Real-time streaming ingestion
- Cost-optimized storage tiers
Data Warehouse Modernization
Migrate and modernize legacy data warehouses to cloud-native platforms. We transform on-premises EDW environments into scalable, cost-effective cloud solutions.
- Azure Synapse Analytics migration
- Snowflake implementation
- Legacy ETL modernization
- Performance optimization
- Workload management
- Query optimization
Data Integration
Implement robust data integration pipelines that connect disparate systems and ensure data flows reliably across your enterprise. We design ELT/ETL processes that scale.
- Azure Data Factory pipelines
- Real-time streaming with Event Hubs
- API integration patterns
- Change data capture (CDC)
- Data quality monitoring
- Error handling and recovery
Azure Data Platform Expertise
Deep expertise across the Azure data platform to deliver comprehensive, cloud-native data solutions for your enterprise.
Azure Synapse Analytics
Unified analytics platform combining data warehousing, big data, and data integration in a single service.
- Dedicated SQL pools
- Serverless SQL pools
- Apache Spark pools
- Data Explorer integration
Azure Data Factory
Cloud-based data integration service for creating, scheduling, and orchestrating data pipelines at scale.
- 90+ native connectors
- Mapping data flows
- SSIS package execution
- Git-based CI/CD
Azure Databricks
Unified analytics platform for data engineering, data science, and machine learning on Apache Spark.
- Delta Lake tables
- Collaborative notebooks
- MLflow integration
- Unity Catalog governance
Azure Data Lake Storage
Massively scalable and secure data lake storage built on Azure Blob Storage with hierarchical namespace.
- Hierarchical namespace
- Fine-grained ACLs
- Lifecycle management
- Azure AD integration
Azure Event Hubs
Real-time data streaming platform capable of processing millions of events per second for IoT and analytics.
- Kafka compatibility
- Capture to Data Lake
- Schema registry
- Geo-disaster recovery
Microsoft Purview
Unified data governance service for automated data discovery, classification, and lineage tracking.
- Automated scanning
- Data classification
- Lineage tracking
- Business glossary
Built for Enterprise Excellence
Every data architecture we design follows proven principles that ensure long-term success and business value.
Scalable Architecture
Design data platforms that grow with your business, handling petabytes of data without performance degradation.
Security by Design
Implement defense-in-depth security with encryption, access controls, and audit logging from day one.
Real-Time Capable
Build architectures that support both batch and real-time data processing for instant insights.
Data Governance
Establish comprehensive data governance with lineage, cataloging, and quality frameworks.
Performance Optimized
Tune data platforms for optimal query performance and cost efficiency at enterprise scale.
Automation First
Automate data pipeline deployment, monitoring, and maintenance with Infrastructure as Code.
Cloud Native
Leverage serverless and PaaS services to minimize operational overhead and maximize agility.
Business Aligned
Align data architecture with business objectives to deliver measurable ROI and competitive advantage.
Compliance-First Data Architecture
We specialize in highly regulated industries where data security and compliance are non-negotiable.
Healthcare
HIPAA-compliant data architectures for healthcare analytics, population health management, and clinical data integration. We implement BAA-covered services with proper PHI handling.
Financial Services
SOC 2-compliant data platforms for risk analytics, regulatory reporting, and real-time fraud detection. Secure architectures for sensitive financial data processing.
Government
FedRAMP-aligned consulting expertise data architectures for federal agencies. IL2-IL5 compliant designs with proper security controls and continuous monitoring.
Proven Data Architecture Framework
Our battle-tested methodology ensures successful data platform implementations with minimal risk and maximum business value.
Assess
Comprehensive assessment of your current data landscape, including source systems, data quality, and integration points. We identify gaps and opportunities for modernization.
Design
Architect the target data platform with detailed technical designs, data models, and integration patterns. We create blueprints that balance innovation with practicality.
Build
Implement the data platform using agile methodologies with iterative delivery. We deploy infrastructure, build pipelines, and establish governance frameworks.
Migrate
Execute data migration with proven strategies that ensure data integrity and minimal business disruption. We validate completeness and accuracy at every stage.
Optimize
Continuous optimization of performance, cost, and governance. We establish operational processes and provide knowledge transfer to your team.
The Data Architecture Partner Fortune 500 Companies Trust
With Microsoft ecosystem expertise since 1997, we bring depth and experience to every data architecture engagement.
Compliance Expertise
Deep experience with HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and industry-specific regulations for data platforms.
Platform Agnostic
Expertise across Azure, AWS, GCP, and hybrid environments to design the right solution for your needs.
Enterprise Scale
Proven success with Fortune 500 companies managing petabytes of data across complex environments.
Business Outcomes Focus
We measure success by your business outcomes, not just technical implementation metrics.
Ready to Modernize Your Data Architecture?
Schedule a free consultation with our data architects and discover how we can help you build a scalable, secure, and cost-optimized data platform.
Response within 24 hours. No obligation.
Related Services
Explore our other consulting services that complement data architecture.
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Comprehensive Azure cloud services including migration, architecture, security, and DevOps.
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Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
What is data architecture consulting?
Data architecture consulting is the design, implementation and governance of enterprise data platforms — data lakes, warehouses, lakehouses and real-time pipelines — so that raw source systems become analytics-ready for tools such as Power BI and Azure Machine Learning. EPC Group works across Azure Synapse, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, Azure Data Lake Storage and Azure Event Hubs.
How is a data architecture engagement scoped?
Scope is set in a discovery session and then fixed in a written Statement of Work, so commercial terms are agreed before work begins rather than accrued hourly. What drives scope is source-system count, the compliance regime in play, data volume, and whether real-time pipelines are included. EPC Group provides a written estimate after discovery.
What does the data architecture methodology look like?
Five phases: Assess, Design, Build, Migrate, Optimize. Assess inventories source systems and current-state gaps; Design produces the target architecture and governance model; Build stands up the platform; Migrate moves workloads with validation at each cut-over; Optimize tunes cost and performance and hands over runbooks.
What industries does EPC Group serve for data architecture?
Healthcare under HIPAA, financial services under SOC 2 and SOX, government under FedRAMP and GCC, plus manufacturing, retail, education and energy — each with its own compliance and security configuration rather than a generic baseline.
How does data architecture work relate to Microsoft Fabric?
Microsoft Fabric consolidates lakehouse storage, data engineering, real-time intelligence and Power BI onto one capacity model. Whether Fabric is the right target, or whether Synapse and Databricks remain a better fit, is a decision the Assess phase makes on evidence rather than by default. EPC Group delivers both.
Data Architecture Consulting
EPC Group specializes in creating modern enterprise data architectures on Azure. Our offerings include data lakes, data warehouses, data lakehouses, and real-time analytics platforms.
We utilize:
- Azure Synapse Analytics
- Microsoft Fabric
- Azure Data Factory
- Databricks
- Microsoft Purview for governance
With enterprise Microsoft experience since 1997, we serve Fortune 500 companies and federal government clients.
Comprehensive Data Architecture Services
Data Modeling
- Dimensional modeling (Star/Snowflake schema)
- Entity-relationship design
- Data vault architecture for enterprise-scale historical tracking
- Semantic layer development for business-friendly data access
- Master data management and data catalog implementation
Data Lake Architecture
- Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 design and implementation
- Delta Lake integration for ACID transactions on lake data
- Medallion architecture (Bronze/Silver/Gold) zone design
- Data lakehouse patterns combining lake storage with warehouse query performance
Data Warehouse Modernization
- Legacy data warehouse assessment (Teradata, Oracle, SQL Server)
- Migration to Azure Synapse Analytics or Microsoft Fabric
- Performance tuning, partitioning, and distribution design
- Cost optimization via workload management and auto-pause
Data Integration
- Azure Data Factory pipeline design for batch ETL
- Azure Event Hubs for real-time streaming ingestion
- Microsoft Fabric Dataflow Gen2 for self-service data preparation
- API and CDC (change data capture) integration patterns
Azure Data Platform Expertise
Azure Synapse Analytics
Unified analytics service combining data warehousing and big data. We design dedicated SQL pools, serverless SQL pools, Apache Spark pools, and Synapse Link for real-time operational analytics.
Azure Data Factory
Code-free ETL and data integration service. We build pipelines connecting 100+ data sources to Azure landing zones. Includes monitoring, alerting, and CI/CD pipeline deployment.
Azure Databricks
We offer an Apache Spark-based analytics platform for large-scale data engineering and machine learning model training. Our designs include medallion architectures in Delta Lake, supported by Databricks.
- Maximize performance
- Ensure ACID compliance
Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
Petabyte-scale storage with hierarchical namespace for structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data. We design zone partitioning, lifecycle management, and RBAC access control.
Microsoft Purview
Enterprise data governance platform for data cataloging, classification, and lineage. We implement automated data scanning, sensitivity labeling, and data access policies across hybrid multi-cloud environments.
Compliance-First Data Architecture
Healthcare
- HIPAA-compliant data lake design with PHI zone isolation
- Purview sensitivity labels on all PHI data assets
- Audit logging for all PHI access via Azure Monitor and Sentinel
Financial Services
- SOC 2 Type II control implementation for data platform access, change management, and availability
- SOX-compliant audit trails for financial data transformations
- Data lineage tracking from source to report via Purview
Government
- FedRAMP Moderate/High architectures on Azure Government
- NIST 800-53 data control implementation
- IL4/IL5 data handling on Azure Government for DoD workloads
Proven Data Architecture Framework
- Assess — Current-state data platform audit: sources, volumes, quality, governance gaps.
- Design — Future-state architecture blueprint: platform selection, data model, integration patterns, governance framework.
- Build — Platform deployment, pipeline development, data model implementation.
- Migrate — Historical data migration from legacy platforms with validation and cutover planning.
- Optimize — Performance tuning, cost right-sizing, and adoption enablement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is data architecture consulting?
Data architecture consulting involves the design, implementation, and governance of enterprise data platforms. These include data lakes, warehouses, lakehouses, and real-time pipelines.
This work links raw data sources to analytics-ready data. It supports tools such as Power BI, Azure ML, and other business intelligence applications.
How is a data architecture engagement scoped?
Scope is set during a discovery session and then fixed in a written Statement of Work, so the commercial terms are agreed before any work starts. What drives scope is the number of source systems, the compliance regime in play, data volume, and whether real-time pipelines are in scope.
A single-platform modernization — moving one SQL Server warehouse to Azure Synapse, say — is a materially different engagement from a multi-source enterprise platform carrying compliance frameworks and streaming ingestion. EPC Group provides a written estimate after discovery rather than a published range, because a range detached from your source-system inventory is not an estimate.
What industries does EPC Group serve for data architecture?
Healthcare (HIPAA), financial services (SOC 2, SOX), government (FedRAMP), manufacturing, and education. EPC Group has completed 11,000+ enterprise Microsoft engagements across all major regulated industries since 1997.
How long does a data architecture project take?
A single-platform data warehouse modernization usually takes 12–20 weeks.
On the other hand, building a complete enterprise data platform is more extensive. This process includes:
- A data lake
- A data warehouse
- Streaming ingestion
- Governance
- A reporting layer
Typically, this comprehensive build requires 6–12 months.
EPC Group offers a phased delivery approach. This ensures that business value is achieved at each milestone.
What is the difference between a data warehouse and a data lakehouse?
A data warehouse stores structured and transformed data. It is designed for SQL queries and reporting. On the other hand, a data lake keeps raw data in any format and is cost-effective.
A data lakehouse combines the best features of data lakes and data warehouses. It stores data in a lake, which is low-cost and supports any format. Additionally, it has a query layer that provides warehouse-like performance and ACID transactions. This query layer can be:
- Used for real-time analytics
- Integrated with machine learning tools
- Accessed by various data processing frameworks
- Delta Lake
- Synapse
- Fabric
Ready to Modernize Your Data Architecture?
Talk to an EPC Group data architect about your current platform and target state. Call (888) 381-9725 or request a data architecture assessment.