Article

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

March 31, 2025 · Authored by Chris Wagner

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 However, many struggle with outdated on-premises SQL databases that slow down operations and limit integration with modern cloud-based tools like Power BI.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

We adopted the medallion architecture to organize data into structured layers, improving efficiency and clarity.

• Bronze layer (raw data storage): Stores raw, unprocessed data in a Lakehouse, ensuring a historical reference for validation and reprocessing.
• Silver layer (business rules applied): Cleans and transforms data using Python and SQL, creating a structured warehouse for easy analysis.
• Gold layer (optimized data for insights): Organizes transformed data into a star schema in a Fabric Database, improving query performance and integration with visualization tools like Power BI.

Key benefits of migration

Migrating to Microsoft Fabric and adopting the medallion architecture provided several advantages:

• Faster load times: Optimized cloud infrastructure drastically reduced data processing times.
• Seamless scalability: Effortlessly accommodates growing data volumes without costly upgrades.
• Simplified business logic: Clear separation of raw and transformed data enhances maintainability.
• Better integration: Native compatibility with Power BI improves data accessibility and reliability.
• Cloud advantages: Enhanced security, compliance and disaster recovery capabilities.
• AI-ready: Positioned for advanced analytics and AI-driven insights.

How we can help

Migrating from an on-prem SQL database to Microsoft Fabric has been transformative. We now have a modern, efficient and scalable data solution that supports faster decision-making, improved integration and AI-driven innovation. If you’re considering a similar migration, contact us to learn how Fabric can offer a powerful foundation for future growth.