Learn how Microsoft Fabric can help you create scalable, secure, and reliable applications with ease

What is Microsoft Fabric?

Microsoft Fabric is a platform that provides a set of tools and services for building, deploying, and managing enterprise applications. Microsoft Fabric enables you to create applications that can run on any device, from desktops to mobile phones, and that can leverage the power of the cloud, the edge, and the Internet of Things. Microsoft Fabric also helps you to ensure that your applications are secure, resilient, and compliant with industry standards and regulations.

What are the features of Microsoft Fabric for enterprise applications?

Microsoft Fabric offers a range of features that make it a versatile and robust platform for developing enterprise applications. 

Some of the key features are:

  • Application model: Microsoft Fabric provides a flexible and modular application model that allows you to compose your applications from different components, such as microservices, functions, containers, and web apps. You can use any programming language, framework, or tool of your choice to build your components, and you can easily integrate them with other services and data sources.
  • Service fabric: Microsoft Fabric includes a service fabric that is a distributed system platform that manages the lifecycle, scalability, reliability, and performance of your application components. The service fabric also provides features such as service discovery, load balancing, routing, health monitoring, fault tolerance, and backup and restore.
  • DevOps tools: Microsoft Fabric supports a DevOps approach to application development and delivery, by providing tools and services that enable you to automate and streamline your workflows. You can use Azure DevOps, GitHub, or any other tool of your choice to implement continuous integration, continuous delivery, testing, monitoring, and feedback loops.
  • Security and compliance: Microsoft Fabric ensures that your applications are secure and compliant with industry standards and regulations, by providing features such as encryption, authentication, authorization, auditing, and governance. You can also leverage the security and compliance capabilities of Azure, such as Azure Active Directory, Azure Key Vault, Azure Policy, and Azure Sentinel.

What are the use cases of Microsoft Fabric for enterprises?

Microsoft Fabric can be used to build a variety of enterprise applications, such as:

  • Cloud-native applications: You can use Microsoft Fabric to create applications that are designed to run on the cloud, and that can take advantage of the scalability, elasticity, and availability of the cloud. You can also use Microsoft Fabric to migrate your existing applications to the cloud, or to modernize them with cloud-native technologies.
  • Edge and IoT applications: You can use Microsoft Fabric to create applications that can run on the edge, such as on devices, sensors, gateways, or servers, and that can interact with the cloud and the IoT. You can also use Microsoft Fabric to manage and update your edge and IoT devices, and to process and analyze the data generated by them.
  • Hybrid applications: You can use Microsoft Fabric to create applications that can run across different environments, such as on-premises, cloud, edge, or IoT, and that can communicate and synchronize with each other. You can also use Microsoft Fabric to integrate your applications with other systems and services, such as legacy systems, third-party APIs, or SaaS applications.

How to get started with Microsoft Fabric for enterprises?

If you want to get started with Microsoft Fabric, you can follow these steps:

  • Sign up for Azure: You need an Azure account to use Microsoft Fabric. 
  • Create a Microsoft Fabric cluster: You need a Microsoft Fabric cluster to host your application components. You can create a Microsoft Fabric cluster on Azure, on-premises, or on any other cloud provider. You can use the Azure portal, the Azure CLI, or the Azure Resource Manager templates to create your cluster. You can find more information on how to create a Microsoft Fabric cluster here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/service-fabric/service-fabric-cluster-creation-via-portal
  • Develop your application components: You can use any programming language, framework, or tool of your choice to develop your application components, such as microservices, functions, containers, or web apps. You can also use the Microsoft Fabric SDKs and tools to simplify your development process. You can find more information on how to develop your application components here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/service-fabric/service-fabric-develop-deploy-netcore-applications
  • Deploy your application components: You can use Azure DevOps, GitHub, or any other tool of your choice to deploy your application components to your Microsoft Fabric cluster. You can also use the Microsoft Fabric Explorer, the Microsoft Fabric CLI, or the Microsoft Fabric PowerShell to manage your deployment process. You can find more information on how to deploy your application components here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/service-fabric/tutorial-managed-cluster-deploy-app
  • Monitor and troubleshoot your application components: You can use Azure Monitor, Application Insights, or any other tool of your choice to monitor and troubleshoot your application components. You can also use the Microsoft Fabric Explorer, the Microsoft Fabric CLI, or the Microsoft Fabric PowerShell to access the diagnostics and logs of your application components. You can find more information on how to monitor and troubleshoot your application components here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/service-fabric/service-fabric-diagnostics-how-to-monitor-and-diagnose-services

Conclusion

Microsoft Fabric is a powerful platform for building enterprise applications that can run on any device, and that can leverage the power of the cloud, the edge, and the IoT. Microsoft Fabric provides a set of tools and services that enable you to create scalable, secure, and reliable applications with ease. If you want to learn more about Microsoft Fabric, you can visit the official website here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/

What is AI?

In today’s modern business landscape we constantly hear the terms AI and Artificial Intelligence as being the next “big thing”.  But what is it really?  How does it work?  Is Skynet coming for us?  Better still, how can AI help an organization leverage better business outcomes? What services does Microsoft offer that help leverage AI in an organization?

AI – Top 10 Things to Know

            The following are some crucial concepts and terms to know and understand when discussing AI and its Business Applications:

1. Machine Learning (ML): This is the core driving force behind most AI. It involves algorithms that learn from data patterns and improve their performance over time, enabling them to make predictions or decisions without explicit programming.

2. Data: Think of data as the fuel that powers AI. The quality and quantity of data significantly impact the accuracy and effectiveness of AI models. Different types of data include text, images, audio, and numerical values.

3. Model: An AI model is the trained version of an algorithm, built by processing data. It acts as a blueprint for the AI to make predictions or decisions based on new data it encounters.

4. Algorithm: This is a set of instructions and steps that the AI follows to analyze data, learn patterns, and make predictions. Different algorithms are used for different tasks, such as regression for numerical predictions or classification for categorizing data.

5. Training: This is the process of feeding data to an algorithm and refining its parameters until it performs its intended task with desired accuracy. The effectiveness of an AI model heavily depends on the quality and relevance of its training data.

6. Testing and Validation: Once trained, AI models need to be tested on unseen data to assess their real-world performance. This helps identify any weaknesses and ensures the model generalizes well to new situations.

7. Bias: AI models can inherit biases from the data they are trained on. It’s essential to be aware of potential biases and implement strategies to mitigate them, ensuring fair and ethical AI applications.

8. Explainability: Understanding how an AI model reaches its conclusions is crucial for building trust and accountability. Explainable AI (XAI) techniques aim to make AI models more transparent and interpretable.

9. Deep Learning: This is a subset of machine learning inspired by the structure and function of the human brain. Deep learning models use artificial neural networks with multiple layers to process data and extract complex patterns for tasks like image recognition and natural language processing.

10. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): This hypothetical future of AI envisions machines with cognitive abilities similar to humans, capable of understanding and performing any intellectual task. While not achieved yet, AGI remains a goal for many researchers.

Azure AI Cognitive Services:

  • Text Analytics:
    • Sentiment analysis: understand emotion and opinion in text.
    • Key phrase extraction: identify important topics and concepts.
    • Entity recognition: find and classify people, organizations, and locations.
    • Text summarization: generate concise summaries of documents.
    • Language translation: translate text between multiple languages.
  • Speech Services:
    • Speech-to-text: convert spoken words into text.
    • Text-to-speech: convert text into spoken words.
    • Speech translation: translate spoken words between languages.
    • Speaker recognition: identify who is speaking.
  • Computer Vision:
    • Image and video analysis: extract objects, faces, text, and other information.
    • Optical character recognition (OCR): extract text from images.
    • Custom vision: train models for specific object detection and classification needs.
  • Language Understanding:
    • Intent recognition: understand the purpose of user queries.
    • Topic modeling: discover hidden themes and categories in text.
    • Question answering: answer questions based on factual knowledge.
    • Sentiment analysis: analyze emotions and opinions in text.
  • Other Services:
    • Content Moderator: detect and moderate harmful content.
    • Anomaly Detector: identify unusual patterns in data.
    • QnA Maker: build chatbots and knowledge bases.
    • Text to Speech: convert text to natural-sounding speech.

Azure Machine Learning

  • Model building:
    • Drag-and-drop tools for easy model creation.
    • Automated machine learning for beginners.
    • Support for various training algorithms and frameworks.
  • Model training:
    • Scalable compute resources for efficient training.
    • Data preprocessing and feature engineering tools.
    • Hyperparameter tuning for optimal model performance.
  • Model deployment:
    • Simple deployment to web services, containers, or Azure IoT devices.
    • Real-time scoring for instant predictions.
    • Batch scoring for processing large datasets offline.
  • Model management:
    • Version control and tracking for different model iterations.
    • Monitoring and troubleshooting for deployed models.
    • Explainable AI tools to understand model decision-making.
  • Integrated tools:
    • Notebooks for interactive data exploration and experimentation.
    • Automated MLOps pipelines for streamlined machine learning workflows.
    • Collaborative features for team-based development and deployment.

Azure OpenAI Service:

  • Access to cutting-edge OpenAI models: GPT-3, Codex, and others available.
  • Secure and reliable Azure infrastructure: Meets enterprise security and compliance needs.
  • Multiple models for different tasks: Text generation, code completion, image generation, and more.
  • Flexible deployment options: Web services, containers, or embedded within applications.
  • Fine-grained control over inference: Customize prompts, parameters, and temperature.
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing: Only pay for the resources you use.
  • Limited access (currently): Ensures responsible AI safeguards are implemented effectively.

Microsoft Copilot

            Copilot is your AI sidekick, ready to lend a hand with a variety of tasks:

Writing:

  • Craft creative text formats: poems, code, scripts, musical pieces, emails, letters, and more.
  • Brainstorm ideas: get a boost of inspiration for your next project.
  • Refine your writing: improve grammar, clarity, and style.

Coding:

  • Complete code: save time and focus on the bigger picture.
  • Suggest functions: discover new approaches and shortcuts.
  • Fix bugs: streamline troubleshooting and avoid headaches.

Beyond the Code:

  • Design inspiration: generate layouts, color palettes, and more.
  • Research assistant: find information and answer your questions.
  • Learning buddy: understand complex concepts with explanations and examples.

Available Options:

  • Free access: Try Copilot’s basic features and experience its magic.
  • Pro version: Unlock advanced capabilities like code completion and design.
  • Business solutions: Tailor Copilot to your specific needs and workflows.

Always On the Go:

  • Mobile app: Take Copilot’s help with you wherever you roam.
  • Seamless integration: Work with Copilot within your existing tools and platforms.

Conclusion

            In every generation a technological advancement has come along that has “changed the game”. Computers can read and analyze data at a much higher level with more speed and efficiency than the human mind is capable of.  One Azure AI Customer estimates that their customized Generative AI performs tasks in a weekend that would take a team of engineers 11 years to complete by themselves.  The business landscape is changing very rapidly and organizations that are left behind may lose their competitive advantage in the market.  AI offerings from Microsoft can give an organization the intelligence and efficiency to take their product offerings to the next level!

Stay Connected and Dive Deeper

We’ve only scratched the surface today on the potential and power of Azure AI Services. For those of you eager to explore deeper and see these tools in action, we’ve got something exciting in store! Keep an eye out for our upcoming slide deck, which will provide a visual deep dive into practical applications and case studies of Azure AI. Additionally, we will be hosting an exclusive webinar where you can see live demonstrations and engage with Azure AI experts. This is your opportunity to ask questions and see real-world applications up close.

Don’t miss out! Make sure to follow us on Linkedin, Twitter, and get ready to transform your understanding of what Azure AI can do for your business. Stay tuned!

In my many interactions with clients over the last few years, the recurring theme has been, “We want to go to the Cloud”. It even inspired the name of the organization! However, this is usually followed by a lot of confusion surrounding the process and then the licensing model for Azure and Microsoft services. In this Microsoft 365 Licensing article, I will go into detail about the most common licensing packages I have seen used by organizations. We will also discuss the features of the tiers within the models. 

Let’s jump in!

Business Licensing

The first tier we are going to discuss is Business and there are 4 types of these:

  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic: This offers web and mobile office apps and a mailbox.
  • Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: This offers just desktop versions of office apps, no mailbox.
  • Microsoft 365 Business Standard: This license offers mailbox and desktop versions of the office apps for one installation.
  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium: The same as Business Standard, but also includes Intune, which allows management of workstations.

These solutions are what I usually recommend to clients just getting started in Microsoft Services and wanting to test it out. They are also useful for small businesses, as well as if you need a mailbox for an application that will also send email needing authentication.

More information can be found on Microsoft’s Comparison Site

Office 365 Licensing

The second tier of Licensing we are going to discuss is Office 365 and there are 4 types of these:

  • Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise: This one includes desktop office apps and some file storage and sharing, but no mailbox.
  • Office 365 E1: This plan includes a mailbox, file storage, sharing, teams, and meetings, but Microsoft 365 Apps are not included.
  • Office 365 E3: This plan offers all the features of the previous two with 5 Microsoft 365 app installations per license and Microsoft information protection and sensitivity labels, email archiving, group policy support, roaming settings, legal hold, and eDiscovery.
  • Office 365 E5: This plan offers all the features of the previous one, but also includes PowerBi Pro, Microsoft Defender for Microsoft 365, and Microsoft 365 Cloud App Security.

This tier mainly focuses on Office and the Office portal tools.

More information can be found on Microsoft’s Comparison Page

Enterprise Licensing

The third tier of Licensing we are going to discuss is Enterprise and there are 3 types of these:

  • Microsoft 365 F3: This type is mainly meant for Frontline Workers and includes office apps and some services at a discounted rate.
  • Microsoft 365 E3: This plan includes 5 installations of all Microsoft 365 apps, Intune, Autopilot, Windows Autopatch, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P1, SharePoint Online, Yammer, Viva, OneDrive, Azure Active Directory P1, Azure Information Protection P1, BitLocker, Microsoft Security, and Compliance Center, Basic retention policies, Microsoft Teams retention policies, and Windows Enterprise E3 licensing.
  • Microsoft 365 E5: This plan offers all the features of E3, but also includes: PowerBi Pro, Azure Active Directory Premium P2, Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft Defender for Microsoft 365, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2, Microsoft Defender for Identity, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, Azure Information Protection P2, and full access to Microsoft Purview Compliance. (Check out our article detailing this one, it’s huge for compliance!)

One of these options is usually where I steer my clients so that they can take advantage of Azure Active Directory’s powerful identity and access management features.

Add-On Services

Of course, it’s not all or nothing like a cable package. Microsoft also offers add-on licensing for additional features. Basically, almost all features are available ala carte, your Microsoft Partner can help with any questions you have on these and all the plans. Don’t forget, there are a ton of deals that Microsoft offers exclusively to resellers and Microsoft Partners.

Conclusion

Microsoft offers a ton of services that can be of huge value to any organization, but navigating the ins and outs of their licensing models can be exhaustive. One of the best strategies to take is to work in conjunction with a Microsoft Partner to check out what licensing needs are best for your organization. I hope you found this article helpful!