Microsoft Fabric Consulting
The unified analytics platform that combines data engineering, data science, real-time analytics, and business intelligence.
EPC Group brings 29 years of Microsoft expertise to help you modernize your data architecture with Microsoft Fabric.
Start Your Fabric JourneyWhat is Microsoft Fabric?
Microsoft Fabric is an all-in-one analytics solution for enterprises. It addresses data movement, data science, real-time analytics, and business intelligence.
Microsoft Fabric includes a complete suite of services, such as:
- Data Factory
- Synapse
- Power BI
- And more—all unified in a single SaaS platform.
OneLake
Single data lake for your entire organization
Real-Time Analytics
Stream processing and live dashboards
Power BI Integration
Native BI with DirectLake mode
Our Microsoft Fabric Services
Data Lakehouse Architecture
Design and implement OneLake architecture with medallion pattern (bronze, silver, gold layers).
- • OneLake design & setup
- • Medallion architecture
- • Lakehouse best practices
- • Delta Lake optimization
Data Engineering
Build scalable data pipelines using Data Factory, Spark notebooks, and dataflows.
- • Data pipelines & orchestration
- • Spark/PySpark development
- • ETL/ELT transformations
- • Dataflows Gen2
Real-Time Analytics
Implement streaming analytics with KQL databases, event streams, and real-time dashboards.
- • Event streams & KQL
- • Real-time dashboards
- • IoT data ingestion
- • Streaming ETL
Power BI & DirectLake
Leverage DirectLake mode for blazing-fast Power BI reports directly on lakehouse data.
- • DirectLake semantic models
- • Report migration to Fabric
- • Performance optimization
- • Composite models
Governance & Security
Enterprise governance with Purview integration, sensitivity labels, and access controls.
- • Microsoft Purview integration
- • Data lineage & cataloging
- • Row-level security
- • Compliance frameworks
Migration & Modernization
Migrate from legacy data warehouses, Azure Synapse, or on-premises to Microsoft Fabric.
- • Synapse to Fabric migration
- • Data warehouse modernization
- • SSIS to Data Factory
- • Assessment & planning
Microsoft Fabric vs Power BI: What's the Difference?
Understanding when to use Microsoft Fabric versus standalone Power BI is critical for making the right investment.
| Feature | Power BI Pro/Premium | Microsoft Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Data Storage | Import models, DirectQuery | OneLake (centralized data lake) |
| ETL/Data Pipelines | Dataflows only | Full Data Factory + Dataflows Gen2 |
| Data Warehouse | Not included | Synapse Data Warehouse included |
| Real-Time Analytics | Limited streaming | Full KQL databases & event streams |
| Query Performance | Import or DirectQuery | DirectLake (10x faster) |
| Best For | BI & reporting only | End-to-end analytics platform |
EPC Group recommendation: Organizations with complex data needs or multiple data sources should consider Fabric. This is especially true for those planning advanced analytics.
However, for pure reporting scenarios, standalone Power BI Premium may still be beneficial.
Microsoft Fabric Pricing Guide 2025
Microsoft Fabric uses capacity-based pricing measured in Capacity Units (CUs). Here's what you need to know about costs.
F2 Capacity
$262/month
2 Capacity Units
- ✓ Small workloads & POC
- ✓ Limited concurrent users
- ✓ Basic data engineering
F64 Capacity
$8,410/month
64 Capacity Units
- ✓ Enterprise workloads
- ✓ Full Copilot features
- ✓ DirectLake performance
- ✓ Multiple workspaces
F1024 Capacity
$134K/month
1024 Capacity Units
- ✓ Massive enterprise scale
- ✓ High concurrency
- ✓ Complex ML workloads
Cost Optimization Tip: Fabric capacity can be paused when not in use. EPC Group typically reduces client costs 30-40% through capacity planning, pause scheduling, and workload optimization.
Why Microsoft Fabric?
Unified Platform
One platform for data engineering, data science, real-time analytics, and BI. No more managing multiple disparate tools.
Cost Efficiency
Single capacity billing model, automatic scaling, and reduced infrastructure management overhead.
AI-Ready Infrastructure
Built-in Copilot capabilities, machine learning integration, and the foundation for enterprise AI initiatives.
Enterprise Security
Deep Microsoft security integration, Azure AD authentication, and Purview governance out of the box.
Why EPC Group for Microsoft Fabric?
29 Years Microsoft Expertise: From SQL Server 7.0 to Microsoft Fabric, we've been at the forefront of every Microsoft data platform evolution.
Power BI Authority: Microsoft Press bestselling author with deep expertise in the analytics workloads that connect to Fabric.
Enterprise Implementation: Fortune 500 experience with large-scale data platforms, migrations, and governance frameworks.
Compliance-First: Deep experience implementing data platforms for HIPAA, SOC 2, and FedRAMP environments.
Data Platform Success Stories
See how we've helped clients modernize their data infrastructure
"EPC Group transformed our data analytics with Power BI. We now have real-time visibility into patient outcomes and operational efficiency."
Director of Enterprise Analytics
Director of Enterprise Analytics
Fortune 500 Healthcare System
"Power BI Premium implementation gave our 50 hospitals unified reporting. The ROI was realized in the first year."
CFO
CFO
Multi-Hospital Healthcare Network
"Our patient care dashboards now help doctors make better decisions at the point of care. EPC Group understood our clinical workflows perfectly."
Michelle Davis
Director of Clinical Analytics
Midwest Medical Center
Ready to achieve similar results?
Get Started TodayFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our Microsoft Fabric consulting services
What is Microsoft Fabric and how does it differ from Power BI?
Microsoft Fabric is Microsoft's unified data and analytics platform combining data engineering (Data Factory, Synapse), data science (notebooks, ML models), data warehousing (Synapse Data Warehouse), real-time analytics (KQL databases, event streams), and business intelligence (Power BI) into a single SaaS platform with OneLake storage. Unlike standalone Power BI, Fabric provides end-to-end data lifecycle management from ingestion to visualization. EPC Group has completed 500+ Fabric implementations across North America.
How long does a Microsoft Fabric implementation take?
Fabric implementations vary by scope: simple Power BI migration to Fabric takes 4-6 weeks, mid-sized implementations with data warehousing and ETL pipelines take 8-12 weeks, and enterprise Fabric deployments with data governance and lakehouse architecture take 4-6 months. EPC Group accelerates timelines using proven Fabric implementation frameworks and migration accelerators.
What are the benefits of migrating from Power BI to Fabric?
Migrating Power BI to Fabric provides: unified data platform eliminating data silos, OneLake storage with automatic delta lake conversion, DirectLake mode for 10x faster query performance, built-in data engineering with Data Factory pipelines, Git integration for version control, workspace-level governance with simplified security, and automatic scalability. EPC Group migrates existing Power BI Premium workspaces to Fabric with zero downtime and backward compatibility.
How much does Microsoft Fabric cost?
Microsoft Fabric uses capacity-based pricing: F2 capacity (2 CUs) costs $0.36/hour ($262/month), F64 capacity (64 CUs, recommended for enterprise) costs $11.52/hour ($8,410/month), and F1024 capacity (1024 CUs, for massive workloads) costs $184.32/hour ($134,553/month). Capacity can be paused when not in use. EPC Group performs capacity planning and cost optimization, typically reducing costs 30-40% vs. equivalent Power BI Premium + Synapse deployments.
Can you migrate from Databricks, Snowflake, or other platforms to Fabric?
Yes. EPC Group migrates data platforms from Databricks, Snowflake, AWS Redshift, Google BigQuery, and legacy on-premises data warehouses to Microsoft Fabric. Our migration methodology includes data lineage mapping, notebook conversion (Databricks → Fabric notebooks), SQL translation, Delta Lake compatibility validation, and BI dashboard migration. Typical migrations take 3-6 months depending on data volume and pipeline complexity.
Do you provide Fabric training and managed services?
Yes. EPC Group offers Microsoft Fabric training for data engineers, data scientists, BI developers, and administrators. Training covers OneLake architecture, Fabric notebooks, Data Factory pipelines, Synapse Data Warehouse, and Power BI integration. We provide managed services including 24/7 capacity monitoring, performance optimization, data governance enforcement, and cost management. Support SLAs include 1-hour response for critical issues and monthly optimization reviews.
Ready to Modernize Your Data Platform?
Let's discuss how Microsoft Fabric can unify your analytics and accelerate your data initiatives.
Related Resources
Microsoft Fabric vs Databricks
Enterprise comparison of Microsoft Fabric and Databricks for data engineering, lakehouse architecture, and analytics workloads.
Microsoft Purview Data Governance Guide
Implement Microsoft Purview for data classification, lineage tracking, and governance across your Fabric data estate.
AI Debt: The Financial Linkage Built on Fabric
How the Microsoft Fabric semantic model becomes the financial-linkage tier of EPC Group's three-tier AI ROI measurement stack — and the line item nobody else is reporting on.
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Microsoft Fabric Consulting Services
EPC Group implements Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft's unified data and analytics platform. This platform combines several key features into one solution:
- Data engineering
- Warehousing
- Real-time analytics
- Data science
- Power BI
All these features utilize shared OneLake storage for seamless integration.
Our implementations vary in complexity:
- Simple Power BI-to-Fabric migrations take about 4–6 weeks.
- Enterprise lakehouse deployments can take 4–6 months.
Key facts
- Microsoft Fabric unifies five workloads in one SaaS platform: Data Engineering, Data Warehouse, Data Science, Real-Time Intelligence, and Power BI.
- OneLake is Fabric's shared storage layer — all workloads read from the same data without copying.
- Direct Lake mode delivers near-Import-mode query performance without refresh windows — querying OneLake Parquet files directly.
- Enterprises on Microsoft 365 + Power BI typically see 30–50% lower TCO by consolidating onto Fabric vs maintaining a separate analytics warehouse (e.g., Snowflake).
- F64 ($5,257/month) is the inflection point — it includes Power BI Premium-equivalent features and unlocks Direct Lake mode across all Fabric workloads.
- EPC Group has 500+ Microsoft Fabric implementations and 29 years of Microsoft consulting experience.
What is Microsoft Fabric?
Microsoft Fabric is a unified SaaS data and analytics platform. It combines five workloads under one license and one governance model:
- Data Engineering — Apache Spark notebooks, Lakehouse tables, and Data Factory pipelines.
- Data Warehouse — serverless T-SQL warehouse on OneLake with full ACID transactions.
- Data Science — ML experiments, model training, and MLOps on Fabric Lakehouses.
- Real-Time Intelligence — KQL databases, Event Streams, and sub-second streaming analytics.
- Power BI — semantic models in Direct Lake mode for instant, always-fresh dashboards.
EPC Group Microsoft Fabric services
- Fabric architecture design — workspace topology, OneLake zone strategy (Bronze/Silver/Gold), and capacity planning.
- Power BI to Fabric migration — upgrade semantic models to Direct Lake; eliminate refresh windows.
- Data Engineering implementation — Lakehouse design, Spark pipelines, and medallion architecture.
- Synapse to Fabric migration — migrate Azure Synapse Analytics workloads to Fabric's unified platform.
- Real-Time Intelligence — KQL database setup, Event Streams ingestion, and streaming dashboard design.
- Data governance — sensitivity labels, workspace security, and Purview integration for Fabric data assets.
- Managed services — ongoing capacity monitoring, performance tuning, and release wave management.
Benefits of migrating Power BI to Fabric
Moving Power BI to Microsoft Fabric provides the following benefits:
- Unified data platform — eliminates data silos across BI, engineering, and warehousing.
- OneLake storage — automatic Delta Lake format conversion. One copy of data for all workloads.
- Direct Lake mode — 10× faster query performance compared to Import-mode with no refresh window.
- Built-in data engineering — Data Factory pipelines replace Azure Data Factory for ETL.
- Git integration — version control for Fabric items (notebooks, pipelines, lakehouses).
- Simplified governance — workspace-level sensitivity labels and Purview integration.
Fabric F-SKU capacity pricing
Fabric uses capacity-based pricing. All workloads (Data Engineering, Warehouse, Power BI, Real-Time Intelligence) share a single capacity:
- F2: $263/month — small workloads, POC environments.
- F4: $526/month — typical mid-market Power BI deployments.
- F8: $1,051/month — multi-team workloads with data engineering.
- F32: $4,205/month — enterprise BI plus Lakehouse workloads.
- F64: $5,257/month — inflection point. Unlocks Direct Lake mode, Premium-equivalent Power BI features, and all Fabric workloads.
- F128+: $10,514+/month — large enterprise with concurrent data engineering and real-time analytics.
Power BI Viewer seats are included in the F-SKU capacity — unlimited viewers with no per-user license required beyond F64.
Fabric vs Snowflake: TCO comparison
Enterprises that use Microsoft 365 and Power BI can see a total cost of ownership that is 30–50% lower by consolidating onto Fabric. This is compared to maintaining Snowflake as a separate analytics warehouse.
The savings come from:
- Single licensing relationship — Fabric replaces separate Azure Data Factory, Synapse, and Power BI Premium contracts.
- OneLake-native semantic models — Power BI Direct Lake reads from OneLake without data duplication.
- Eliminated Snowflake egress fees — data stays in Microsoft's ecosystem.
Fabric implementation timelines
- Simple Power BI migration to Fabric: 4–6 weeks.
- Mid-sized implementation (warehousing + ETL pipelines): 8–12 weeks.
- Enterprise Fabric deployment (governance + Lakehouse + real-time): 4–6 months.
Frequently asked questions
What is Microsoft Fabric?
Microsoft Fabric is a unified SaaS data and analytics platform from Microsoft. It brings together several key components:
- Data engineering: Spark notebooks, Data Factory
- Data warehousing: serverless T-SQL
- Data science: ML
- Real-time analytics: KQL
- Power BI
All these features use shared OneLake storage.
It replaces separate Azure Synapse, Azure Data Factory, and Power BI Premium services.
What is Direct Lake mode in Microsoft Fabric?
Direct Lake mode enables Power BI semantic models to query Parquet files in OneLake. This operates at near-Import-mode performance without requiring refresh windows. Key benefits include:
- No data copy
- No scheduled refresh job
- No downtime during refresh windows
As a result, dashboards are always up to date.
To use Direct Lake, you need F64 capacity or higher.
What is OneLake?
OneLake is the shared data lake storage layer for Fabric. All Fabric workloads, including Data Engineering, Warehouse, Real-Time Intelligence, and Power BI, use the same OneLake storage. This method helps to avoid data duplication.
OneLake utilizes the Delta Lake format and is presented as a single logical lake across all Fabric workspaces.
How much does Microsoft Fabric cost?
Fabric uses F-SKU capacity pricing. The pricing ranges from F2 at $263 per month to F128+ at $10,514 or more per month. A key inflection point is F64, which costs $5,257 per month. This level unlocks Direct Lake mode and features similar to Power BI Premium.
Additionally, viewers are included in the capacity without needing a per-seat license.
Should I migrate from Snowflake to Microsoft Fabric?
Using Microsoft 365 and Power BI can make migration beneficial. It helps you consolidate your data platform.
Enterprises often experience a:
- 30–50% reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) with Fabric
- Comparison to Snowflake, particularly if they already have Microsoft 365 licensing
EPC Group offers TCO assessments for Fabric vs Snowflake as a fixed-fee service.
Schedule a consultation
EPC Group has 500+ Microsoft Fabric implementations. Talk to a Fabric architect about your data platform migration or new deployment. Call (888) 381-9725 or request a discovery call.
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