Many customers ask me about the advantages of moving from Azure Synapse Analytics to Microsoft Fabric. Here’s a breakdown of the standout features that make Fabric an appealing choice:

• Unified Environment for All Users
  Fabric serves everyone—from report writers and citizen developers to IT engineers—unlike Synapse, which primarily targets IT professionals.
• Hands-Free Optimization
  Fabric is auto-optimized and fully integrated, allowing most features to perform well without requiring technical adjustments.
• Simplified Data Storage with OneLake and Shortcuts
  OneLake and shortcuts make data storage and access straightforward, enhancing data management efficiency.
• Open-Source Delta Lake Compatibility
  Fabric stores all data in open-source Delta Lake format, enabling easy integration with Databricks and other analytics platforms.
• SaaS Architecture for Ease of Use
  As a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, Fabric simplifies development and maintenance, unlike the more hands-on Synapse.
• Enhanced Cost Control through Fabric capacities
  Fabric’s capacity-based pricing model provides straightforward cost management.
• Scalability from Small to Enterprise Solutions
  Migrating a small Fabric solution to an enterprise-scale solution is seamless and efficient.
• Direct Lake for Faster Query Performance
  Direct Lake enhances query performance and speeds up reporting.
• Unified Compute with Capacity Pooling
  Fabric’s “universal bucket of compute” allows all products to share the same capacity, instead of each having individual compute, simplifying resource management.
• Universal Security (Available Q4 2024)
  Fabric’s upcoming OneSecurity, or “universal security,” will provide centralized security across datasets.
• Integrated Copilot for Enhanced Development
  Copilot integration aids in development and data insights, making it easier to analyze and understand data.
• Seamless Data Sharing Across Workspaces
  Data can be easily shared between workspaces for improved collaboration.
• Multi-Cluster Compute
  Fabric supports multiple capacities accessing the same data, similar to “multi-cluster compute” or “multi-cluster warehousing”, optimizing concurrency.
• Cost Savings Compared to Dedicated SQL Pools
  Fabric offers a more cost-effective solution than dedicated SQL pools.

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Cost-Saving Insights with Microsoft Fabric

Additionally, here are indirect ways customers are saving costs with Fabric compared to Synapse:

• Consolidated Technology Stack
  A single platform for IT and citizen developers (no separate learning curves for Synapse and Power BI).
• Reduced DBA Needs
  Auto-optimization and integration lessen the demand for dedicated database administration.
• Storage and Egress Cost Savings
  OneLake shortcuts reduce storage and egress charges, and simplify ETL development.
• Delta Lake Storage for Flexible Use
  Data stored in Delta Lake format is accessible outside Fabric, providing greater flexibility.
• SaaS Benefits
  The SaaS model reduces development overhead and streamlines updates.
• Unified Compute with Capacity Pooling
  Shared compute across capacities reduces costs by eliminating individual compute allocations per service.
• Copilot Acceleration
  Copilot speeds up development, reducing time-to-insight.