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Data Lake Storage connectivity options

As a FinOps practitioner, you may need to build custom reports and analytics solutions outside of Power BI to meet specific organizational requirements. Azure Data Lake Storage provides a central repository for your FinOps data that can be accessed by multiple tools and services for advanced analytics, custom applications, and integration scenarios.

This article covers the primary tools and services that can connect to Data Lake Storage for FinOps analytics and reporting.


Azure Data Explorer (ADX)

Azure Data Explorer is a fast, highly scalable data exploration service for log and telemetry data that provides powerful analytics capabilities for your FinOps data.

If you're using FinOps hubs, Azure Data Explorer is automatically configured with pre-built data ingestion pipelines, optimized data models, sample dashboards and queries, and automated data processing.

Configure Data Explorer dashboards


Microsoft Fabric

Microsoft Fabric is an all-in-one analytics solution that combines data integration, data engineering, data warehousing, data science, real-time analytics, and business intelligence into a unified platform.

Fabric provides a unified analytics platform with OneLake storage, AI and machine learning capabilities, seamless Power BI integration, and support for real-time insights.

Create a Fabric workspace for FinOps


Azure Synapse Analytics

Azure Synapse Analytics is an enterprise data warehouse solution that combines big data and data warehousing capabilities.

Benefits for FinOps

  • Scalable data warehouse: Handle large volumes of historical FinOps data
  • SQL and Spark support: Use familiar SQL or Apache Spark for data processing
  • Integrated machine learning: Build predictive models for cost forecasting
  • Data lake integration: Native integration with Data Lake Storage
  • Enterprise security: Advanced security and governance features

Getting started with Synapse

Azure Synapse Analytics provides comprehensive documentation for connecting to and querying data in Data Lake Storage.

Query data in Azure Data Lake Storage with Synapse SQL

Create external tables in Synapse SQL


Azure Databricks

Azure Databricks is a unified analytics platform that provides collaborative Apache Spark-based analytics for advanced data science and machine learning scenarios.

Benefits for FinOps

  • Advanced analytics: Perform complex cost modeling and forecasting
  • Machine learning: Build predictive models for cost optimization
  • Collaborative notebooks: Share analysis with data science teams
  • Delta Lake support: ACID transactions and versioning for data quality
  • Integration capabilities: Connect to multiple data sources and tools

Getting started with Databricks

Azure Databricks provides comprehensive documentation for connecting to and analyzing data in Data Lake Storage.

Connect to Azure Data Lake Storage from Databricks

Machine learning with Databricks


Azure Machine Learning

Azure Machine Learning provides enterprise-grade machine learning capabilities for building advanced cost optimization and forecasting models.

Benefits for FinOps

  • MLOps capabilities: End-to-end machine learning lifecycle management
  • Automated ML: Automatically build and optimize cost prediction models
  • Model deployment: Deploy models as web services for real-time predictions
  • Responsible AI: Built-in tools for model interpretability and fairness
  • Integration: Connect with other Azure services and tools

Use cases for FinOps

  • Cost forecasting: Predict future spending based on historical patterns
  • Anomaly detection: Identify unusual cost spikes or patterns
  • Optimization recommendations: Generate automated cost optimization suggestions
  • Budget planning: Support budget planning with predictive insights

Custom applications and APIs

Data Lake Storage provides REST APIs and SDKs that enable you to build custom applications and integrate FinOps data with existing systems.

Benefits

  • Custom integrations: Build integrations with existing business systems
  • Automated reporting: Create automated report generation and distribution
  • Real-time monitoring: Build custom monitoring and alerting solutions
  • API access: Programmatic access to FinOps data for any application

Getting started with custom applications

Azure Data Lake Storage provides comprehensive SDKs and REST APIs for building custom applications.

Azure Data Lake Storage REST API

Azure Data Lake Storage client libraries


Choosing the right tool

The choice of tool depends on your specific requirements:

Tool Best for Complexity Cost model
Azure Data Explorer Real-time analytics, KQL queries, built-in dashboards Medium Pay-per-use
Microsoft Fabric Unified analytics platform, AI/ML integration Medium-High Capacity-based
Azure Synapse Data warehousing, large-scale ETL, enterprise scenarios High Pay-per-use or dedicated
Azure Databricks Advanced analytics, machine learning, data science High Pay-per-use
Azure Machine Learning MLOps, automated ML, model deployment High Pay-per-use
Custom applications Specific integrations, custom workflows Variable Development cost

Security and governance

When connecting to Data Lake Storage, ensure proper security and governance:

  • Authentication: Use Azure Active Directory and managed identities
  • Authorization: Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
  • Network security: Configure private endpoints and network restrictions
  • Data classification: Classify and protect sensitive financial data
  • Auditing: Enable audit logging for access and operations

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