By Christine Briedenhann, BI Lead Consultant

Choosing the Right Modern Data Platform: Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, or Snowflake?

In today’s emerging data-driven world, selecting the right Modern Data Platform is critical for any New Zealand organisation looking to harness the power of its data. As New Zealand’s largest independent data consultancy, we are proud to be data partners of Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, and Databricks, and can offer unique insights and expertise across all these platforms.  

So, not sure which platform is the best fit for your organisation? Our Lead Consultant, Christine Briedenhann, explores some of the well-known strengths of each to help you decide. 

Databricks: The Unified Data Analytics Platform  

As data partners of Databricks, our team sees its unique strengths in enabling organisations to process vast amounts of data and leverage AI and Machine Learning (ML). Databricks is designed for organisations focusing on Big Data and AI-driven insights, offering a collaborative environment, native support for Apache Spark, and Machine Learning capabilities that make it a strong choice for in-house data science and engineering teams. 

• Best for: Organisations focused on AI /ML, big data processing, and collaborative data science. 

• Why choose Databricks? It could be the right solution for you if you’re looking to drive innovation with Big Data, Advanced Analytics, and Machine Learning, Databricks gives you a powerful platform that integrates data science, engineering, and business intelligence analytics.  

Microsoft Fabric: An Integrated Data Solution for the Microsoft Ecosystem  

We are also partners of Microsoft, who bring to the table Microsoft Fabric, an integrated data solution bringing together data integration, engineering, science, warehousing, and real-time analytics within a unified Microsoft ecosystem. For organisations already invested in Microsoft products like Azure, Power BI, Purview, and Azure Synapse, Microsoft Fabric offers seamless integration and a unified experience across all data workloads. 

• Best for: Organisations invested in the Microsoft ecosystem looking for a fully integrated data platform. 

• Why choose Microsoft Fabric? It could be a strong fit for you if you’re using Microsoft’s data tools extensively. Microsoft Fabric provides a smooth and cohesive experience, enabling you to unify your data landscape under one platform. 

Snowflake: The Data Cloud Platform for Scalability and Ease of Use 

As a data partner of Snowflake, our team know this platform well, for its simplicity, scalability, and ability to handle diverse data workloads with ease. Snowflake is a fully-managed Cloud Data Platform that supports multi-cloud deployment, offering flexibility for organisations with complex data environments. Its strength lies in its capacity to effortlessly handle large volumes of data with high performance, making it ideal for organisations that need scalable data warehousing and analytics. 

• Best for: Organisations looking for an easy-to-use, scalable solution that supports multiple cloud environments and diverse data workloads. 

• Why choose Snowflake? It could be ideal for you if you’re focused on data warehousing, SQL-based analytics, and need a highly scalable platform with strong data sharing capabilities. 

So Which Platform is Right for You? 

While this article provides an overview of these platforms, an informed decision requires a little more research and independent advice. Choosing the right platform requires a deep understanding of your unique business requirements, use cases, and long-term objectives. 

As New Zealand’s largest independent data consultancy and data partners of Databricks, Microsoft, and Snowflake, we are well-equipped to guide you in choosing the best platform for your needs. And remember, the decision ultimately rests with you, and depends on your specific data requirements, existing technology investments, and future goals: 

1. Databricks could be the right solution for you if you’re prioritising Big Data, Advanced Analytics, AI / ML, and a collaborative environment for data Science and engineering.  

1. Microsoft Fabric could be a strong fit for you if your organisation is deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem and needs an integrated data solution across all Microsoft products.  

1. Snowflake could be ideal if you need a straightforward, scalable, and highly performant data warehousing solution with extensive cloud flexibility 

Regardless of the platform you choose, effective data governance is key. At Stellar, we offer end-to-end solutions, beyond the technology itself, to provide the flexibility and expertise you need to maximise your data investments, or those you’re yet to make. Whether you choose Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, or any other platform, our services ensure your data remains well-governed, secure, and optimised for growth. 

To learn more about Stellar’s Data Platform Assessments and how they can benefit your organisation, contact Stellar on 0800 228 872, or email us on bi@stellarconsulting.co.nz.