Microsoft Fabric: What We’ve Learned So Far

Microsoft Fabric is shaping up to be a powerful tool with significant potential, but like any new platform, there are a few early adoption considerations to keep in mind.

These aren’t major roadblocks, just aspects that organisations implementing Fabric may need to navigate.

Having deployed Microsoft Fabric in one of the first and largest projects in Australasia, we’ve gained valuable hands-on experience. While our initial expectations were high, real-world application has revealed both the strengths of the platform and some of the growing pains that come with being an early adopter.

In our previous blog, we introduced Microsoft Fabric and explored its potential for organisations looking to streamline their data ecosystem. Now, we’re building on that discussion by sharing what we’ve learned since implementing Fabric, what’s working well, what’s been challenging, and how organisations can maximise the value of Fabric while minimising disruption.

Key Implementation Insights

The Platform Is Evolving, So Be Ready to Adapt

Microsoft Fabric is still maturing, which means that some functionality is limited, and certain processes require workarounds. We’ve found that maintaining a flexible, iterative approach is essential. This includes:

• Identifying temporary workarounds for missing features
• Closely monitoring updates to anticipate changes
• Adjusting workflows and processes as the platform stabilises

For example, while Microsoft has been rolling out enhancements, we’ve had to implement manual processes to bridge gaps in functionality. Being proactive and adaptable is key to making the most of Fabric’s capabilities.

Lessons from Early Adoption

1 - Current Platform Limitations

Microsoft is continuously improving Fabric, but there are some gaps that have required us to rethink workflows and develop interim solutions:

• Error Handling & Alerting: The error-handling system still lacks depth in some areas, occasionally providing vague messages that require deeper investigation.
• Managed Identity Support: Some services do not yet fully support Managed Identity, meaning additional manual configuration is sometimes needed.
• Key Vault Integration: While some services support automatic key management, others still require manual intervention, making full integration a work in progress.
• CI/CD Challenges: Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) processes remain inconsistent, occasionally disrupting standard development workflows.
• API Token Stability: While updates have been introduced to improve token management, we’ve encountered occasional disruptions in automation and integrations.

Despite these challenges, we’ve seen significant improvements over time. Staying informed on Microsoft’s updates has helped us anticipate changes and proactively address potential issues.

2 - Optimising Costs: Notebooks vs. Pipelines

An important factor we had to consider when implementing Fabric was balancing the use of notebooks versus data pipelines. Notebooks can be a cost-effective option in some cases, but depending on workload demands, data refresh rates, and user activity, pipelines may be the better choice.

Running always-on pipelines can drive up costs unnecessarily, so using notebooks for ad-hoc processing can help optimise spend. Microsoft Fabric’s monitoring tools allow us to analyse usage patterns and fine-tune resource allocation accordingly.

3 - Legacy System Integration

Fabric is designed for seamless cloud integration, but integrating it with legacy systems can be complex, particularly for organisations with compliance-heavy environments or inconsistent internet reliability.

Organisations with strict data residency requirements need to carefully assess how Fabric interacts with on-premise systems. Connectivity challenges require contingency planning, and having redundant pathways for critical data flows is essential.

4 - Governance & Security: Don’t Skip This Step

Fabric consolidates multiple functions, including Data Engineering, Analytics, and Visualisation, within a single platform. Without clear governance, the environment can quickly become disorganised.

Defining access roles early is crucial, as a lack of proper role-based access control (RBAC) can lead to data management issues. Setting up governance frameworks for data ingestion, version control, and quality assurance from the start is equally important. Security must also be prioritised by understanding how Fabric manages encryption and permissions to prevent data exposure.

Preparing for Success

Microsoft Fabric offers significant potential, but early adoption requires careful planning. Based on our experience, here’s how organisations can set themselves up for success:

• Establish governance and security frameworks early to avoid chaos later.
• Be flexible and prepared for workarounds as the platform evolves.
• Monitor Microsoft’s updates closely to stay ahead of improvements and fixes.
• Optimise costs by balancing the use of notebooks and pipelines.
• Plan for legacy system integration and assess potential connectivity challenges.

By addressing these considerations early, organisations can navigate the challenges of early adoption and unlock the full potential of Microsoft Fabric.

Need expert guidance? Let’s chat >>

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Written by | Jeannette Perez (JP), Analytics Manager at Data Insight
With over 15 years of experience in analytics and data-driven decision-making, JP specialises in transforming complex information into strategic insights. She is passionate about making data accessible, guiding clients through challenges, and delivering impactful solutions.