Data has become one of the most valuable assets a business can own. Yet across Australia, many teams still struggle with scattered systems, complex integrations, and rising costs tied to managing multiple analytics tools.
Microsoft Fabric is changing that story. It unifies analytics, storage, governance, and reporting in one intelligent platform that makes data easier to manage, faster to access, and simpler to scale.
At CG TECH, we are seeing more Australian businesses making the move to Fabric to simplify their data landscape and turn analytics into measurable business value.
Here’s what sets it apart and why the switch is paying off.
A Unified Platform for Modern Analytics
Launched in 2023, Microsoft Fabric combines several Microsoft tools into a single environment.
It brings together Power BI, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Synapse Analytics (among many others) under one roof, giving businesses everything they need to collect, store, analyse, and visualise data in one place.
At the centre of Fabric is OneLake, a unified data lake that stores all business data in a single location using the open Delta Lake format. Instead of juggling multiple databases and copies of files, teams can securely access a single version of truth across departments.
Fabric is delivered as a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, meaning Microsoft handles infrastructure, updates, and security. That lets teams focus on generating insights rather than maintaining servers.
The result is a platform built for simplicity, performance, and collaboration across technical and non-technical users alike.
From Synapse to Fabric: A Natural Progression
If you have been using Azure Synapse Analytics, you might be wondering how Fabric fits in. The answer is simple. Fabric builds on Synapse’s strengths and makes them easier to use.
Where Synapse requires management of dedicated SQL pools and Spark clusters, Fabric removes that complexity by offering a fully managed experience. Data is stored in OneLake instead of dedicated pools, which means lower costs and no duplication.
Fabric’s Power BI-based interface makes analytics accessible to a wider audience, with tailored experiences for data engineers, analysts, and business users. It is easier to set up, easier to manage, and faster to deploy.
For many Australian businesses, that means fewer moving parts, reduced administration time, and faster value realisation.
Synapse remains a strong tool for highly customised data warehousing, but for businesses looking to modernise or scale, Fabric delivers a smoother and more cost-efficient path forward.
Choosing Between Fabric and Databricks
Databricks has long been a favourite among data scientists and technical teams for its flexibility and machine learning capabilities.
However, Microsoft Fabric offers a different kind of value through unified simplicity for businesses that already rely on the Microsoft ecosystem.
Here’s a quick comparison:
Feature
Microsoft Fabric
Databricks
Integration
Deeply connected to Power BI, Microsoft 365, and Azure services
Cloud-agnostic but requires more setup
Ease of Use
Low-code and no-code tools for analysts and engineers
Designed for developers and data scientists
Pricing
Capacity-based (pay for compute whether in use or paused)
Usage-based (pay for what you consume)
Machine Learning
Integrates with Azure Machine Learning
Native MLflow and mature AI capabilities
If your business already uses Microsoft 365, Azure, or Power BI, Fabric fits naturally into your existing environment. It enables both technical and non-technical teams to work with the same data securely and efficiently.
Databricks remains powerful for advanced data science projects, but for most Australian businesses wanting faster outcomes and lower complexity, Fabric provides a more integrated approach.
Is the Move to Fabric Worth It?
Migration always raises questions about cost, effort, and return. According to a 2024 Forrester Total Economic Impact study commissioned by Microsoft, businesses adopting Fabric achieved an impressive 379% ROI over three years.
The study found that Fabric delivered:
25% productivity gains for data engineers, saving up to $1.8 million
20% faster analysis for business teams, saving $4.8 million in time and labour
Improved profit outcomes worth $3.6 million through better decisions
Reduced infrastructure costs of up to $779,000
8% lower staff attrition, as employees preferred using modern tools
Here in Australia, we have seen similar results.
Aurizon, the country’s largest rail freight operator, achieved up to 240 times faster query performance and laid the groundwork for predictive maintenance using Microsoft Fabric.
Melbourne Airport improved data accessibility across departments and increased operational efficiency by 30% through Fabric’s unified data model.
These examples show the practical impact: better performance, lower costs, and faster access to insights that support business growth.
Understanding Fabric Pricing and Licensing in Australia
Fabric uses a capacity-based pricing model, measured in Capacity Units (CUs) that represent bundles of compute, memory, and storage.
Here’s how it looks for Australian businesses:
Capacity tiers range from F2 (2 CUs) to F2048 (2048 CUs). Most mid-sized businesses start at F64.
Pay-as-you-go pricing for F64 capacity in Australia is around $9,500 per month, which is slightly higher than US rates.
Reserved capacity offers savings of up to 41% compared to PAYG, costing around $5,650 per month for F64.
OneLake storage is billed separately at about $23 per terabyte per month.
Licensing tip: At F64 and above, viewer licences are included. Below F64, you will need Power BI Pro licences ($14 per user per month).
Microsoft typically reviews pricing annually. As of April 2025, a 5% increase was applied to new and renewing subscriptions.
Fabric’s capacity-based model simplifies budgeting while making it easier to predict spend compared to the separate costs of storage, compute, and licensing in traditional analytics platforms.
A successful Fabric migration starts with a clear plan. Here are the steps we recommend:
Assess your current environment Document data sources, reports, and integrations. Understand dependencies before moving workloads.
Choose your approach Decide whether to “lift and shift” existing systems or redesign workflows to take advantage of Fabric’s automation and AI features.
Budget early Fabric is billed through Azure, which may require internal budget alignment between IT and finance teams.
Right-size capacity Use a Fabric trial to measure real-world workloads before committing. Many businesses overestimate initial capacity needs.
Set governance early Define ownership, access controls, and data classifications to manage cost and maintain quality.
Invest in training Ensure teams understand new workflows and capabilities. Training is key to adoption and ROI.
Test thoroughly Validate data refreshes, pipelines, and dashboards before shutting down legacy systems.
Optimise continuously Monitor usage and costs. Adjust capacity and refine processes as your data grows.
The Future of Analytics in Australia
Microsoft Fabric represents more than just another analytics tool. It is the next step in modern data strategy.
By simplifying infrastructure and unifying data across the business, Fabric gives teams the confidence to make faster, smarter decisions.
Whether you are currently using Synapse, Databricks, or traditional on-premises systems, Fabric offers a unified approach that delivers measurable results.
From insights to execution, we help Australian businesses plan, deploy, and realise the full value of Microsoft Fabric.
If your business is ready to modernise its analytics, get in touch with our team to learn how we can help.
About the Author
Carlos Garcia is the Founder and Managing Director of CG TECH, where he leads enterprise digital transformation projects across Australia.
With deep experience in business process automation, Microsoft 365, and AI-powered workplace solutions, Carlos has helped businesses in government, healthcare, and enterprise sectors streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
He holds Microsoft certifications in Power Platform and Azure and regularly shares practical guidance on Copilot readiness, data strategy, and AI adoption.
Data has become one of the most valuable assets a business can own. Yet across Australia, many teams still struggle with scattered systems, complex integrations, and rising costs tied to managing multiple analytics tools.
Microsoft Fabric is changing that story. It unifies analytics, storage, governance, and reporting in one intelligent platform that makes data easier to manage, faster to access, and simpler to scale.
At CG TECH, we are seeing more Australian businesses making the move to Fabric to simplify their data landscape and turn analytics into measurable business value.
Here’s what sets it apart and why the switch is paying off.
A Unified Platform for Modern Analytics
Launched in 2023, Microsoft Fabric combines several Microsoft tools into a single environment.
It brings together Power BI, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Synapse Analytics (among many others) under one roof, giving businesses everything they need to collect, store, analyse, and visualise data in one place.
At the centre of Fabric is OneLake, a unified data lake that stores all business data in a single location using the open Delta Lake format. Instead of juggling multiple databases and copies of files, teams can securely access a single version of truth across departments.
Fabric is delivered as a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, meaning Microsoft handles infrastructure, updates, and security. That lets teams focus on generating insights rather than maintaining servers.
The result is a platform built for simplicity, performance, and collaboration across technical and non-technical users alike.
From Synapse to Fabric: A Natural Progression
If you have been using Azure Synapse Analytics, you might be wondering how Fabric fits in. The answer is simple. Fabric builds on Synapse’s strengths and makes them easier to use.
Where Synapse requires management of dedicated SQL pools and Spark clusters, Fabric removes that complexity by offering a fully managed experience. Data is stored in OneLake instead of dedicated pools, which means lower costs and no duplication.
Fabric’s Power BI-based interface makes analytics accessible to a wider audience, with tailored experiences for data engineers, analysts, and business users. It is easier to set up, easier to manage, and faster to deploy.
For many Australian businesses, that means fewer moving parts, reduced administration time, and faster value realisation.
Synapse remains a strong tool for highly customised data warehousing, but for businesses looking to modernise or scale, Fabric delivers a smoother and more cost-efficient path forward.
Choosing Between Fabric and Databricks
Databricks has long been a favourite among data scientists and technical teams for its flexibility and machine learning capabilities.
However, Microsoft Fabric offers a different kind of value through unified simplicity for businesses that already rely on the Microsoft ecosystem.
Here’s a quick comparison:
If your business already uses Microsoft 365, Azure, or Power BI, Fabric fits naturally into your existing environment. It enables both technical and non-technical teams to work with the same data securely and efficiently.
Databricks remains powerful for advanced data science projects, but for most Australian businesses wanting faster outcomes and lower complexity, Fabric provides a more integrated approach.
Is the Move to Fabric Worth It?
Migration always raises questions about cost, effort, and return. According to a 2024 Forrester Total Economic Impact study commissioned by Microsoft, businesses adopting Fabric achieved an impressive 379% ROI over three years.
The study found that Fabric delivered:
Here in Australia, we have seen similar results.
Aurizon, the country’s largest rail freight operator, achieved up to 240 times faster query performance and laid the groundwork for predictive maintenance using Microsoft Fabric.
Melbourne Airport improved data accessibility across departments and increased operational efficiency by 30% through Fabric’s unified data model.
These examples show the practical impact: better performance, lower costs, and faster access to insights that support business growth.
Understanding Fabric Pricing and Licensing in Australia
Fabric uses a capacity-based pricing model, measured in Capacity Units (CUs) that represent bundles of compute, memory, and storage.
Here’s how it looks for Australian businesses:
Microsoft typically reviews pricing annually. As of April 2025, a 5% increase was applied to new and renewing subscriptions.
Fabric’s capacity-based model simplifies budgeting while making it easier to predict spend compared to the separate costs of storage, compute, and licensing in traditional analytics platforms.
Please note: Pricing accurate as of October 2025. For updated pricing, see Microsoft’s official pricing calculator.
How to Plan a Smooth Fabric Migration
A successful Fabric migration starts with a clear plan. Here are the steps we recommend:
Document data sources, reports, and integrations. Understand dependencies before moving workloads.
Decide whether to “lift and shift” existing systems or redesign workflows to take advantage of Fabric’s automation and AI features.
Fabric is billed through Azure, which may require internal budget alignment between IT and finance teams.
Use a Fabric trial to measure real-world workloads before committing. Many businesses overestimate initial capacity needs.
Define ownership, access controls, and data classifications to manage cost and maintain quality.
Ensure teams understand new workflows and capabilities. Training is key to adoption and ROI.
Validate data refreshes, pipelines, and dashboards before shutting down legacy systems.
Monitor usage and costs. Adjust capacity and refine processes as your data grows.
The Future of Analytics in Australia
Microsoft Fabric represents more than just another analytics tool. It is the next step in modern data strategy.
By simplifying infrastructure and unifying data across the business, Fabric gives teams the confidence to make faster, smarter decisions.
Whether you are currently using Synapse, Databricks, or traditional on-premises systems, Fabric offers a unified approach that delivers measurable results.
From insights to execution, we help Australian businesses plan, deploy, and realise the full value of Microsoft Fabric.
If your business is ready to modernise its analytics, get in touch with our team to learn how we can help.
About the Author
Carlos Garcia is the Founder and Managing Director of CG TECH, where he leads enterprise digital transformation projects across Australia.
With deep experience in business process automation, Microsoft 365, and AI-powered workplace solutions, Carlos has helped businesses in government, healthcare, and enterprise sectors streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
He holds Microsoft certifications in Power Platform and Azure and regularly shares practical guidance on Copilot readiness, data strategy, and AI adoption.
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