Microsoft EA and MPSA Online Services are moving to standardised pricing. This change could impact costs and make CSP a better option for flexibility and value.
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Table of Contents
VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS
FROM THE DESK OF THE MD
Why 24/7 DB Admin Outsourcing Outperforms In-House DBAs
Partner with Ascent Technology for 24/7 Managed DBA Services backed by certified expertise, guaranteed response times, and ISO 27001 governance. Key Takeaways Database management is now a 24/7 responsibility, with performance, security, and compliance requiring...
From Complexity to Clarity – Why Microsoft Fabric Matters Now
Discover why Microsoft Fabric is central to Microsoft’s Data & AI strategy, and how Ascent Technology helps organisations unify data, simplify operations, and achieve AI-driven success. Key Takeways Microsoft Fabric unifies data on a single platform, eliminating silos...
Building the Microsoft Cloud Foundation for AI Success
Discover how Ascent Technology’s Modernise–Optimise–Protect framework, powered by Microsoft Fabric, OneLake, and Copilot, builds secure, AI-ready platforms that unlock business value. Key Takeways AI success starts with a modern, unified foundation – Microsoft Fabric...
CAMPAIGNS
Azure by Credit Card vs CSP: Why Finance & IT Prefer CSP
Still paying Microsoft for Azure by credit card? Discover why finance and IT leaders prefer the CSP model for predictable billing, built-in partner support, cost optimisation, and long-term value. Key Takeways Credit card billing creates risk - Failed or expired...
Prepare for SQL Server 2014 End of Support
On July 9, 2024, support for SQL Server 2014 ended. That means the end of regular security updates. Don't let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. We're here to help you migrate to current versions for greater security, performance and innovation....
Prepare for SQL Server 2012 End of Support
On July 12, 2022, support for SQL Server 2012 ended. That means the end of regular security updates. Don't let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. We're here to help you migrate to current versions for greater security, performance and innovation....
NEWSFLASHES
Microsoft Tiered EA/MPSA Pricing Ends – Explore the CSP Advantage
Standardised pricing will replace Microsoft’s long-standing tiered discount model - prompting many organisations to review the CSP programme for its cost savings, licensing flexibility, and simplified management. Microsoft Tiered EA/MPSA Pricing Ends Microsoft will...
Ascent Technology’s clients benefit from Data Platform Modernisation
Facing platform ‘end of life’ issues together with increasing pressures to digitise processes, increase profitability and innovate on product and service, organisations are finding Data Platform Modernisation projects can deliver significant value by enabling IT cost...
CLIENT CASE STUDIES
DB Administration, Security and Compliance for First Distribution
First Distribution’s Database Administration, Security and Compliance needs lead it to trusted advisor, Ascent Technology. For any large organisation, Database Administration (DBA) is a vital part of maintaining their Data Platform Operations effectively. As it has...
Ascent Technology helps Bidfood SA migrate to Microsoft Azure
When Bidfood SA chose to modernise and migrate its data platform to Microsoft Azure, it turned to Ascent Technology for help. In a world that is digitally transforming, it is more vital than ever to an organisation’s success to utilise the latest platforms to drive...
Ascent Technology helps migrate Phumelela Gaming to Azure
A Windows Server and SQL Server consolidation, optimisation and migration to Microsoft Azure enables the company to reduce costs, modernise its data platform and boost its innovation capabilities. As an operator running two distinct betting businesses, Phumelela...
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Microsoft Data and Analytics Partner of the Year Finalist
Ascent Technology continues its strong showing in the Microsoft Partner of the Year awards, as a finalist in the Data and Analytics Partner of the Year award. Finalist Data and Analytics Partner of the Year "It is always gratifying to be recognised by Microsoft as one...
Microsoft Fabric Services with Ascent Technolgy
Discover how Ascent Technology helps organisations unlock Microsoft Fabric – the unified analytics and AI-ready platform. Through our Modernise – Optimise – Protect framework, we deliver seamless migration, governance, and long-term success.
Microsoft Fabric is the unified analytics platform that brings together data engineering, real-time analytics, data warehousing, governance, and business intelligence in one SaaS solution. Built on OneLake, it reduces complexity and duplication by storing data once and making it available across Spark, SQL Warehouse, KQL, and Power BI.
This ensures faster insights, stronger governance, and an AI-ready foundation for innovation.
Ascent Technology helps organisations evaluate, migrate, and implement Microsoft Fabric quickly and effectively, ensuring maximum value from this next-generation data platform.
What is Microsoft Fabric?
Microsoft Fabric is a lake-centric SaaS analytics platform that unifies the entire data lifecycle. Built on OneLake, it combines ingestion, transformation, warehousing, real-time analytics, and business intelligence into a single integrated service.
Core capabilities include:
- OneLake – Centralises all enterprise data with one logical storage layer.
- Direct Lake for Power BI – Enables lightning-fast reporting without extracts or duplication.
- Data Warehouse & Lakehouse – Flexible SQL-first or Spark-first analytics options.
- Real-Time Intelligence – KQL databases and event streams for instant insights.
- Governance & Security – Microsoft Purview for cataloging, compliance, and control.
Why Organisations are Moving to Microsoft Fabric
Forward-looking businesses are adopting Microsoft Fabric to simplify their data estate, reduce costs, and prepare for the future.
Key benefits include:
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership – Consolidate multiple tools into one platform.
- Faster Insights – Achieve real-time analytics and reporting with Direct Lake.
- AI-Ready Foundation – Scale with business needs and future innovation.
- Built-in Compliance – Gain governance, auditing, and security with Microsoft Purview.
Why Now is the Time for Microsoft Fabric
Microsoft is reshaping its analytics and BI landscape. Power BI Premium capacity (P SKUs) is being retired in favour of Fabric F SKUs, consolidating licensing into a single model that supports every Fabric workload.
At the same time, organisations face growing pressure to reduce costs, simplify their data estates, and prepare for AI-driven transformation.
Adopting Microsoft Fabric now ensures:
- Seamless Transition – Move ahead of licensing changes and avoid disruption at renewal.
- Future-Ready Infrastructure – Build on a platform designed for AI and advanced analytics.
- Competitive Advantage – Gain faster insights and efficiency before your competitors catch up.
- Long-Term Savings – Consolidate tools, reduce integration overhead, and optimise spend with a single SaaS service.
Microsoft Fabric vs Legacy Analytics Stacks
Most organisations considering Microsoft Fabric are already using parts of the Microsoft data ecosystem – tools like Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Factory, and Power BI Premium.
Fabric takes the strengths of these services and unifies them into a single, integrated platform:
- Consolidation – Instead of maintaining separate tools for data movement, storage, and reporting, Fabric brings them together into one service. This reduces complexity and administrative overhead.
- Simplified Licensing – With Fabric, Microsoft is retiring Power BI Premium (P SKUs) in favour of Fabric F SKUs. This consolidates licensing into one capacity model that supports all Fabric workloads.
- Performance – Traditional BI tools rely on extracts and refresh schedules, which can be slow and resource-heavy. Direct Lake in Fabric removes these bottlenecks, delivering near-instant analytics.
- Governance & Security – While legacy tools required add-ons or separate services for compliance, Fabric comes with Microsoft Purview built in, making governance part of the platform itself.
Microsoft Fabric Use Cases
Microsoft Fabric is being adopted across industries to modernise analytics, improve efficiency, and enable new capabilities.
Common use cases include:
- Unifying BI and Data Warehouses – Eliminate silos and centralise analytics in OneLake.
- Real-Time Dashboards – Monitor operations, IoT, and streaming data as it happens.
- Self-Service Analytics – Empower teams with instant access to data through Direct Lake.
- AI & Machine Learning Readiness – Build a trusted, governed data estate for advanced insights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| What is OneLake, and how is it different from a traditional data lake? |
| OneLake is Fabric’s built-in, tenant-wide data lake. Unlike traditional data lakes, which often require custom setup and integration, OneLake is provisioned automatically with Fabric and works seamlessly across all workloads. |
| What’s the difference between a Lakehouse and a Warehouse in Fabric? |
| A Lakehouse is ideal for Spark-first workloads and diverse, unstructured data, while a Warehouse is optimised for SQL-first, governed analytics. Both store data in OneLake and can be used together. |
| How does Direct Lake improve Power BI performance? |
| Direct Lake allows Power BI to query OneLake Delta tables directly, without extracts or scheduled refreshes. This means near-real-time dashboards with reduced latency and no data duplication. |
| Can Microsoft Fabric replace Azure Synapse? |
| In many cases, yes. Fabric includes capabilities that overlap with Synapse, but with tighter integration into OneLake and Power BI. Some organisations may still use Synapse for specialised scenarios, but Fabric is positioned as the strategic successor. |
| What are the pricing and licensing options for Microsoft Fabric? |
| Fabric uses F SKUs, a capacity-based model available through Azure pay-as-you-go or reservations. This replaces the Power BI Premium capacity model and simplifies how analytics capacity is purchased and managed. |
How Ascent Technology Helps You Succeed with Microsoft Fabric
Ascent Technology is a trusted Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) and a Microsoft Data & AI Solutions Partner with deep expertise in modernising data platforms.
Through our Modernise – Optimise – Protect framework, we apply Microsoft Fabric in a way that delivers immediate value and builds a resilient foundation for long-term success.
This structured approach translates into clear steps for adoption and sustained impact:
- Readiness Assessments – Identify opportunities and align Fabric with business goals.
- Secure Migration – Move from legacy or fragmented systems into Fabric with minimal risk.
- Implementation & Optimisation – Configure Fabric for performance, governance, and cost control.
- Training & Empowerment – Enable self-service analytics adoption across teams.
- Ongoing Support – 24/7 managed services to keep your Fabric environment reliable.
Get Started with Microsoft Fabric
Fabric is reshaping the way organisations unlock insights, manage data, and prepare for AI-driven innovation.
Contact Us today to discover how Ascent Technology can help you evaluate, migrate, and optimise Microsoft Fabric for lasting business value.