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In this episode of the Clearly Podcast, the hosts discuss data quality dashboards. These dashboards monitor data entry to flag errors and ensure data accuracy, especially in systems with significant human input. Key points include:Definition and Use: Data quality dashboards highlight data entry errors, allowing for prompt correction. Errors disappear from the report once fixed, providing satisfaction to users.Routine Recommendation: These dashboards are essential, particularly where user input is high.Risks of Poor Data Quality: Inaccurate data can lead to flawed reports and decisions. Regular monitoring helps maintain data integrity.Application Redesign: Dashboards can reveal systematic issues, sometimes leading to application redesigns. Simplifying the interface or automating processes can prevent errors.Building the Dashboard: Start by identifying key issues through stakeholder discussions. Focus on major errors first, like dates and large transactions. Decide whether to automate error resolution or require manual approval.Senior Management Buy-In: Effective communication ensures the dashboard is seen as a tool for improvement, not punishment. This promotes user engagement and data quality.Continuous Improvement: If errors persist, it may indicate a deeper application issue requiring broader solutions.The hosts emphasize the importance of data quality dashboards in maintaining accurate data, which is crucial for reliable reporting and decision-making.

Hosts: Andy Clark, Tom GoughGuest: Greg Bounds Topic: Dealing With a Mess of Data Systems and ProductsKey Points:1. Introduction:·      Andy and Tom introduce Greg Bounds, who works as a data architect for a national nonprofit and also consults on data projects.2. Defining the Problem:·      The discussion focuses on inheriting a complex data environment, termed a "dog's breakfast," with a mix of applications, systems, and databases.·      Tom emphasizes the challenges of dealing with multiple cloud providers and on-premises systems.3. Scoping the problem:·      Start by talking to various stakeholders to understand the importance of different systems.·      Auditing and documenting the systems should follow naturally from these conversations.4. Managing Stakeholder Priorities:·      Understand the challenge of balancing different departments' priorities and stresses the importance of understanding the entire data flow.·      Show the benefits of changes through small, manageable projects.5. Technical Approach:·      Look for low-hanging fruit and opportunities to consolidate systems for quick wins.·      Simplifying the data architecture can de-risk the environment and reduce points of failure.6. Benefits of Consolidation:·      Understand there may not be immediate cost savings, reducing the number of platforms simplifies governance and management.·      It also minimizes the need for specialized knowledge across multiple systems.7. Planning for the Long Term:·      The importance of data governance and having a data team that is approachable and open to new solutions.·      Ensuring the data team has the right skills and capacity is crucial to maintaining a streamlined environment.8. Key Takeaways:·      Communication with stakeholders and understanding their needs is essential.·      Focus on data quality and transparency, even if it means creating "snitch reports" to highlight issues.·      Look for quick wins to build momentum and show the value of changes.·      Engage the C-suite to drive adoption and support across the organization. You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

This week, Andy, Tom, and Shailan, discuss the challenges and considerations of working with technologies outside the Microsoft stack from a consulting perspective.Key Points:Encountering Non-Microsoft Technologies:·      Clients often use various non-Microsoft technologies like Google Analytics, Salesforce, Oracle, etc.·      Consultants must be prepared to handle data sources and systems outside the Microsoft ecosystem.Balancing Expertise and External Help:·      Evaluate whether to learn new technologies internally or bring in external experts.·      Consider the long-term strategic value of learning a new technology versus the immediate need for expertise.Cost and Time Considerations: ·      Training and rework can be costly and time-consuming when working with technologies outside your skill-set.·      It's often more efficient to hire experienced consultants for niche technologies to avoid mistakes and reduce implementation time.Deciding When to Say No:·      Assess if a project aligns with your core expertise and strategic goals.·      Avoid taking on projects that significantly deviate from your primary skill set to maintain focus and reputation.Strategic Partnerships:·      Partnering with vendors can provide necessary training and support.·      Ensure the vendor has good implementation skills, not just product knowledge.Pricing and Client Communication:·      Factor in the cost of external resources when pricing for clients.·      Have honest conversations with clients about the costs and impacts of using niche technologies.Opportunity Costs:·      Taking on projects outside your expertise can lead to missed opportunities in your core area.·      Focus on projects that align with your business direction and offer better margins.Project Selection:·      Deliberately choose projects that help expand your expertise in desired areas, like broader Power Platform work.·      Avoid projects that don't align with your strategic aims, even if they seem lucrative.Conclusion:Navigating non-Microsoft technologies requires a balance between internal learning and external expertise, clear communication with clients, and strategic project selection to maintain focus and deliver quality results.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

In this episode of the Clearly Podcast, the hosts discuss how to choose a cloud provider. They emphasize starting with the big three providers: Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform, as these offer comprehensive services, long-term stability, and a large pool of skilled professionals. It's generally unrealistic to consider other niche platforms unless you have very specific needs tied to a particular vendor's products.When evaluating cloud providers, consider what you're trying to achieve and the specific services offered by each platform. It's essential to evaluate all options objectively and avoid defaulting to a familiar vendor without proper assessment. Consultants can help organizations maintain a neutral stance and make informed decisions based on current needs, costs, and skill sets.The hosts also address the issue of personal biases in technology decisions and stress the importance of making choices based on solid evidence rather than emotions. They note that switching cloud providers, while challenging, is not impossible and can be managed more efficiently with lessons learned from initial implementations.Negotiation with cloud vendors is possible, especially for larger enterprises, and it's beneficial to work with partners to secure the best deals. Finally, they advise leaving biases at the door and making decisions that are well-justified and based on thorough evaluation.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

Welcome to the Clearly Podcast. This episode kicks off the new season with a discussion on transitioning organizations away from the Excel mindset. Excel is widely used for storing and managing data, but it’s not a structured tool and can lead to significant challenges in data projects.Excel’s flexibility makes it easy for quick mock-ups and data input, but these solutions often lack consideration for data structure, security, and quality. Relying on Excel can also hinder scalability and precision, leading to issues like broken reports and security vulnerabilities.The conversation highlights the need for a cultural shift within organizations, driven by top-down support. It's important to educate teams on the limitations of Excel and demonstrate the benefits of more advanced tools like Power BI, Power Apps, and structured databases. These tools offer better data management, security, and efficiency, freeing up time for more valuable tasks.Despite the challenges, transitioning away from Excel is possible with the right approach. This includes clear communication of the benefits, managing expectations, and ensuring buy-in from senior leadership. While Excel can still play a part in data management, the goal is to use it in conjunction with more advanced solutions to achieve better overall data literacy and efficiency.In summary, the podcast emphasizes the importance of moving beyond Excel to more structured data solutions, highlighting the benefits and strategies to achieve this transition within organizations.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

In this episode of the Clearly Podcast, we discuss the concept of democratizing data within organizations. The key points covered in the conversation include:Definition and Critique: The term "democratization of data" refers to making data accessible to a wider group within an organization. The hosts critique the term, suggesting it often sounds like marketing jargon meant to sell software licenses.Traditional Data Access: Historically, data access has been siloed within departments such as accounts or sales. The idea behind democratization is to break down these silos and allow broader access to data.Challenges and Risks: Several challenges come with democratizing data, including data security, proper cataloging, and understanding the data. There are risks of data leaks and the complexity of managing access across different systems.Self-Service and Citizen Developers: The conversation touches on the issue of self-service BI and citizen developers. While empowering users to create their own reports and handle data sounds appealing, it can be distracting from their primary roles and is often more complicated than anticipated.Action Plan for Democratization: To achieve democratization effectively, organizations should start with improving data literacy. Employees should understand what data means, how to handle it responsibly, and the implications of data misuse.Governance: Implementing proper governance is crucial. This involves identifying key questions that need answers, determining the necessary data sources, and applying security measures. A phased approach is recommended to gradually expand access. Final Thoughts: The discussion emphasizes the importance of starting small and ensuring that everyone in the organization understands the data they are working with before rolling out broader data access initiatives. Overall, the episode highlights the complexities and considerations involved in democratizing data, urging a thoughtful and phased approach to implementation.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

The podcast discusses the concept of citizen developers and whether they truly exist. Helen Wall, a guest from Houston, joins the conversation. The term "citizen developer" suggests that individuals without formal development training can create applications using low code tools like Power Apps. While this can bridge the gap between business and IT, it often leads to issues like unorganized apps and security risks without proper governance.The speakers highlight that citizen developers may lack the time and depth of understanding that professional developers have, leading to poorly designed solutions. Proper project management, clear goals, and governance are essential to making citizen development work effectively. They also touch on the marketing aspect, suggesting that the term may be used to sell more software licenses. However, tools like Power BI can still be valuable for individuals to develop useful solutions that save time.Looking to the future, the focus should be on helping individuals use these tools to improve their work while ensuring good planning and governance. Organizations need to mature their platforms, understand their capabilities better, and develop a healthy cynicism about marketing claims. The discussion ends with a hint at future topics, such as the democratization of data and Excel pie charts.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

AKA: SharePoint - What is it good for?The podcast discusses SharePoint and its evolution over the years. Initially marketed for various business needs like website building, analytics, and workflow management, SharePoint's current primary focus is on document management. It offers useful features like additional metadata, versioning, and integration with Microsoft OneDrive and Teams.SharePoint excels in document searching, but for serious document management, more robust solutions might be needed. SharePoint lists are popular for quick data input and sharing, particularly in Power Apps and Power BI demos. However, they are not as structured as databases and can lead to connectivity issues if not managed properly.While SharePoint is useful for linking Excel spreadsheets in Power BI for easy updates, its role in the future seems more focused on document management. Other tools like Power BI, Power Automate, and Power Pages have taken over functions SharePoint used to cover.Best practices for SharePoint include using it for document management, versioning, and collaboration. However, it's not suitable for true records management or extensive data management. SharePoint should not be used as a database or for storing multiple Excel sheets as a pseudo-database.Proliferation of SharePoint sites can lead to confusion, so it's important to manage and control their creation and use, similar to file shares.In conclusion, SharePoint is a cost-effective document management solution with certain limitations. For more complex needs, other tools within the Power Platform and Fabric should be explored. SharePoint is becoming more focused and purposeful, which is positive for its future.Next week's topic will be "Citizen Developers and the Democratization of Data."You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

This episode of the Clearly Podcast features a discussion on how clients can effectively manage their IT consultants. Key points include:Finding the Right Consultant:Clearly define your needs, including the level of expertise required, prior experience, and company culture fit.Engage all relevant stakeholders in defining these needs to avoid common mistakes.Managing Consultants for Maximum Benefit:Use effective communication tools like SharePoint or Teams.Set up regular but purposeful meetings, avoiding unnecessary attendees to save time and resources.Ensure proper documentation of key processes and critical components for smooth handovers and continuity.Avoiding Common Pitfalls:Late payments can severely impact boutique firms; timely payments are crucial.Avoid asking for free consulting or heavy discounts based on promises of future work or referrals.Ensure contracts are fair and balanced, reflecting the value provided.Additional Advice:Value the expertise consultants bring and ensure they are used efficiently.Maintain good communication and relationships to prevent misunderstandings and ensure smooth project execution.For more detailed advice or assistance, listeners can reach out to Dave Saunders via LinkedIn or email at dave.saunders@gazingcloud.com. The podcast concludes with a note that the next episode will cover a different topic.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

🚀 Navigating the World of Databases 🚀In the ever-evolving terrain of data management, making informed choices about the right database technology can significantly impact your business operations and strategy. From SQL and Dataverse to Data Lakes and, funnily enough, Excel, each platform serves unique needs and applications. In our podcast discussing this topic, we embarked on an enlightened journey through the world of databases, exploring how these technologies compare, contrast, and complement one another in the vast landscape of data management.🔍 Key Takeaways:SQL stands as the time-tested foundation for structured data storage and management, perfect for businesses seeking reliability and scalability.Dataverse emerges as the user-friendly contender, designed with the non-technical user in mind, offering predefined tables and seamless integration with the Power Platform and Dynamics 365.For handling enormous analytical workloads, Data Lakes offer a cost-effective solution, capable of storing petabytes of data in their native format.Excel is an ironic inclusion, while most data professionals agree Excel is not a database, they’d also (probably) agree it’s the most widely used data source. Choosing the right database technology is more than a technical decision—it's a strategic one. Whether your business requires the robustness of SQL, the accessibility of Dataverse, the analytical prowess of Data Lakes, or even the simplicity of Excel, there's a solution that fits your needs.For a deeper understanding of these technologies and how to align them with your business goals read our latest blog post. Let's demystify the database landscape together, ensuring your data management strategy is not just effective but transformative.https://clearlysolutions.net/blog/navigating-the-database-landscape-data-lake-sql-dataverse-and-excelnbspYou can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

Utilizing Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft 365 for Digital TransformationIntroduction:The discussion focuses on Power Platform, digital transformation, and the use of Excel as a business app. The goal is to explore real-world examples of using Power Platform and Microsoft 365 technologies to create technical solutions for digital transformation through seven scenarios.1. Annual BudgetsTo handle annual budgets, build an app to capture and store budget information in Dataverse.The app allows multiple users to edit simultaneously without locking cells, centralizing data and avoiding tracking issues associated with email and Excel.Once data is captured, it can be uploaded to financial tools like Microsoft Dynamics for further processing and tracking progress against budgets.2. Holiday/Vacation PlannerCreate a holiday/vacation planner using a model-driven app for mobile users to submit requests.Capture data in Dataverse, track leave days, and send approval emails via Power Automate.Automate calendar blocking and out-of-office notifications.Integrate with Exchange for managing notifications and calendar events, and include Power BI reports for leave tracking.3. Expenses with AuthorizationsManage expenses using a mobile app to photograph receipts and submit claims.Store documents in SharePoint or Dataverse. SharePoint offers better searchability, while Dataverse provides secure file attachments.Address complexities of US-centric expense systems and automate tax calculations.4. Creating and Sharing ReportsPower BI is the recommended tool for sharing reports, offering both interactive and fixed-format (paginated) reports.While Excel can be useful for localized exploratory work, Power BI is ideal for sharing to avoid versioning issues.5. Internal ContractsReplace Excel spreadsheets with Power Platform and SharePoint to manage internal contracts.Centralize contract data in Dataverse with model-driven and canvas apps, enhancing searchability and document management.6. Customer PortalsUse Power Pages to allow external users to access information without individual licenses.Enable customers to self-serve for invoices, receipts, and order history, reducing customer service calls.Integrate with courier systems for delivery information, providing tracking details and reducing inquiries about order status.7. Microsoft Planner for Project PlansUtilize Microsoft Planner for project management, leveraging its Kanban functionality.8. Joiners, Movers, Leavers (JML) ProcessAutomate the JML process with Power Platform to streamline provisioning, updating records, and managing access.This automation saves time and improves security in handling JML tasks.Emphasize that automating non-value-adding processes like JML can significantly enhance efficiency.

The podcast discusses whether Power Platform means Excel is obsolete. The conversation highlights that while Excel is frequently used for data storage, quick calculations, project plans, and Gantt charts, it often creates issues due to its lack of control over input, permissions, and versions. Building proper applications requires skilled coding, but Power Platform, especially Power Apps, allows for easy application development with better data management and integration with Power BI and Power Automate.The argument for Excel emphasizes its versatility and familiarity, making it hard to replace for quick tasks and simple project management. However, Power Platform offers structured data management, user interaction, and enhanced security, making it a better solution for long-term and shared applications. The misuse of Excel as a database or business application is a key issue, and organizations need to educate themselves on the benefits of Power Platform. The discussion concludes that Excel should be used as a spreadsheet, while Power Platform should be adopted for more complex data management and application development. Future discussions will explore the implications of Power Platform on tools like SharePoint.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

The podcast discusses New Year's resolutions for data management. One resolution is to improve documentation. Despite being tedious, documentation is crucial because it prevents future issues when changes are needed, especially if the original team is no longer available. Agile methodology is often misunderstood to mean no documentation is needed, but this is not true.For consultancies, providing good documentation for clients is essential to ensure seamless project continuity. Poor documentation can create significant problems, and clients often hesitate to pay for it due to past bad experiences. However, good documentation saves money in the long run by preventing costly mistakes.Clear requirements and understanding of data sources are also highlighted as key to successful projects. Spending more time upfront on requirements and data ensures better outcomes and reduces scope changes and delays. Effective communication of requirements, including using presentations and mockups, is vital to ensure everyone understands the project needs.The discussion also touches on the potential of the Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI) to replace unreliable Excel spreadsheets in organizations. Properly implemented Power Platform solutions can offer more reliable alternatives. However, governance is crucial to prevent misuse and ensure these tools are used appropriately. Organizations often lack proper governance, leaving all connectors open, which can lead to unauthorized data transfers.Overall, the podcast emphasizes the importance of good documentation, clear requirements, effective communication, and proper governance in data management.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

Welcome to the Clearly Podcast Christmas Day special! This will be a short episode because we all have holiday festivities to attend.The hosts discuss their ideal "data presents" for Christmas. Shailan would like a data migration and cleansing tool to streamline the process of moving data from on-prem to the cloud, especially for ERP systems. Andy's present is a perfect specification tool to ensure clear, unchanging project specifications. Tom wishes for a universal data dictionary so terms like revenue and profit are consistently defined across all organizations.They acknowledge that these presents are unlikely to become reality but enjoy fantasizing about them. The episode concludes with holiday well-wishes and a reminder to enjoy the festivities. Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year!You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

The podcast discusses the concept of lake houses in data architecture. A lake house integrates a data warehouse with a data lake, providing a more efficient and versatile means of storing and querying data. It follows a Medallion architecture with three layers: bronze for raw data, silver for cleaned and enriched data, and gold for aggregated data suitable for analytics. This structure helps prevent the data swamp issue common in traditional data warehouses.Using a lake house can be cost-effective, allowing the storage of various data types quickly and inexpensively. It also supports data science applications by retaining raw data needed for detailed analysis. However, it requires additional steps for data transformation, especially for raw data.Switching from an existing data warehouse to a lake house should be part of a larger transformation plan, done incrementally to ensure a smooth transition. For new setups, a lake house should be considered if large data volumes are expected, while traditional data warehouses might still be suitable for smaller organizations with existing SQL skills.Modern tools like Azure Data Lake and Fabric can streamline the process, helping organizations achieve a single version of the truth. The discussion emphasizes the importance of evaluating organizational needs and available resources before deciding on the best data architecture solution.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

In this podcast, the consultants discuss the topic of migrating SQL Server to the cloud. They highlight the benefits of cloud migration, such as cost savings and technological advancements, and note that cloud skills are becoming essential in the job market.Despite the prevalence of cloud migration, many organizations still use on-prem SQL, including older versions that are becoming unsupported. The consultants emphasize the need for planning, especially with SQL 2019 soon falling out of mainstream support.They outline various migration options:Moving the entire database.Moving subsets of data using tools like Azure Data Factory.They also mention tools to assist in migration, such as Azure Migrate, Azure Data Studio, Backpack files, Bulk Copy, and Data Factory. While transactional replication offers minimal downtime, it is complex and requires skilled DBAs.The discussion touches on scenarios where organizations might choose not to migrate to the cloud, such as having managed data centers, legacy applications, high-security needs, or limited connectivity.The consensus is that cloud migration is inevitable for most organizations over the next decade, except for specific edge cases. Hybrid models are effective, particularly as transitional steps, but will likely shift fully to the cloud over time.The podcast concludes with a note on the importance of assessment tools for migration and a preview of the next episode on "What is a Lake House?". The consultants offer their assistance with migration projects and ongoing maintenance of SQL servers.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

The podcast discusses the issue of data lakes turning into data swamps due to the uncontrolled dumping of data. While storage is cheap, this can lead to a mess with duplicate and poor-quality data that’s hard to use. Organizations must implement processes to control what data goes into the lake, document where it’s stored, and build a data dictionary. Cleaning up existing data involves removing duplicates and poor-quality data, and appointing a data steward to oversee the process.There's a need for a cultural shift to focus on data quality rather than quantity. Governance policies, such as data retention and clear ownership, are crucial. Proper data management can be costly but prevents inefficiency and poor decision-making. The importance of having the right foundations, including people, processes, and technology, along with business buy-in, is emphasized.In conclusion, maintaining a healthy data lake requires well-defined processes, governance, and a culture that values data quality. Next week's topic will cover how to migrate to the cloud, specifically from SQL on-prem to SQL in the cloud.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

The podcast discusses Fabric’s recent move to General Availability (GA) following its announcement at Microsoft Ignite. GA status means Fabric is now a fully released product, ensuring stability and predictability for production use.The discussion then moves to pricing, detailing the different SKUs ranging from F2 to F2048. Prices vary by region, with significant savings available for those who choose to reserve capacity. Power BI licensing is included starting at F64, making it a cost-effective option for organizations that require both Fabric and Power BI.Storage costs for Fabric are additional but competitively priced at around £20 per terabyte per month.The podcast highlights that Fabric is suitable for both SMBs and larger enterprises, with lower SKUs fitting well within the SMB market. The flexibility in capacity units across different workloads is emphasized.For those starting with Fabric, it’s advised to assess data sizes, sources, and movement frequency, using existing Azure calculators for sizing. When considering a proof of concept (POC), it’s recommended to start with a small instance and choose a dataset that showcases Fabric’s capabilities beyond what Power BI alone can do.The podcast concludes by noting that existing Power BI premium capacities now support all Fabric workloads, making it a valuable addition for current Power BI users. The hosts express excitement for the next week’s surprise topic and thank their listeners.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

Avoid Controversial Topics:Steer clear of discussing politics, religion, finance, and sports to prevent conflicts with customers.Set Boundaries:Maintain professional relationships with clients. Avoid romantic entanglements and excessive socializing, such as getting drunk with them.Avoid Criticizing Customer Staff:Stay out of office gossip and politics. Remember, you're an external consultant, not part of the client's internal team.Avoid Swearing:Be polite and stay calm. While some environments might tolerate mild swearing, it's best to avoid it, especially racial or gender slurs.Observe Dress Codes and Office Norms:Dress appropriately, especially on your first visit. Adjust to the client's office culture once you're familiar with it.Secure Customer Data:Follow security policies, use strong passwords, and ensure data encryption. Protect both digital and printed data.Be Accurate:If unsure about something, say you'll find out and get back to them. It's better to verify information than to provide incorrect answers.Don't Promise What You Can't Deliver:Be honest about capabilities and deadlines. Avoid overpromising to secure a sale or project.Don't Be Arrogant:Confidence is good, but arrogance can be off-putting. Be aware of your client's expertise and respect their knowledge.Respond When You Promise To:Keep your commitments and follow through on responses. If you need more time, communicate that clearly.Next week’s topic will be updates on Fabric.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/