Migrating from on-prem SQL to Microsoft Fabric: A data transformation journey

In order to stay competitive, organizations need to leverage data-driven insights to make informed decisions. However, many struggle with outdated on-premises SQL databases that slow down operations and limit integration with modern cloud-based tools like Power BI. Legacy system complexities, slow load times and clunky integration gateways create inefficiencies and frustration.

Baker Tilly recently migrated from an on-premises SQL database to Microsoft Fabric, a powerful cloud-based platform that transformed our data management. By implementing the medallion architecture, we improved load times, simplified business logic and positioned ourselves for AI-driven innovation.

Join me as I walk through the challenges we faced during our migration journey, how we implemented the medallion architecture and the benefits we’ve gained from moving to the cloud.

Challenges with on-prem SQL databases

Migrating to Microsoft Fabric was necessary due to several challenges we faced with our legacy on-premises (on-prem) SQL setup:

• Complex legacy systems: Our rigid infrastructure was difficult to maintain and adapt to changing business needs.
• Slow load times: Growing data volumes led to delays in processing, analysis and decision-making.
• Integration issues: Connecting cloud tools like Power BI required cumbersome integration gateways, leading to data inconsistencies.
• Scalability limits: Expanding storage and processing power meant costly hardware upgrades.
• Security and compliance burden: Constant monitoring, updates and audits demanded significant administrative effort.

Migrating to Microsoft Fabric

Shifting to Microsoft Fabric unlocked cloud scalability, flexibility and powerful analytics. Here’s how we approached it:

Medallion architecture: A three-layer approach