Milestone achievement: Analytics on Azure specialisation unlocked 

We are thrilled to share that Softcat has achieved the Analytics on Azure Specialisation – a recognition from Microsoft of our deep expertise in Azure analytics.  

This achievement opens the door to new opportunities for our customers, as we now have access to the Azure Accelerate: Data Platform programme – a new offering that provides funding and support for customer projects in Fabric and Databricks. This allows us to help you move faster on your cloud data journey, with Microsoft-backed support. 

What this means for our customers 

Through the Azure Accelerate: Data Platform programme we can now leverage Microsoft funding for Proof-of-Concepts (PoCs) and deployments for cutting-edge Azure analytics solutions to accelerate our customers’ cloud data journeys. Whether you’re just testing new capabilities of scaling up full deployments, this programme provides financial support and expert guidance every step of the way. 

The funding covers the newest and most in-demand Azure analytics technologies: 

Microsoft Fabric – Microsoft’s unified data analytics platform (covering data engineering, warehousing, Power BI, etc.). With funding, customers can quickly and efficiently stand up Fabric workloads (like data warehouses or real-time analytics) along with our guidance. 

Azure Databricks – the popular Apache Spark-based analytics platform. We can run Databricks pilots (e.g. machine learning prototypes or data pipeline PoCs) and even help deploy full Databricks projects under this programme to accelerate insights from your data. 

Power BI & Synapse – Fabric encompasses Power BI, and other Azure Synapse analytics components can be part of funded scenarios. Modern Azure Data Platform services are in scope, enabling comprehensive analytics solutions tailored to your organisation’s needs. 

Customer success stories: Azure analytics in action 

Our Azure analytics expertise has delivered real impact and transformative outcomes to our customers: 

• Renewable energy company – We guided a renewable energy developer on a multi-phase Azure data platform transformation, centralising data from solar, wind and battery farms across Europe. Using Microsoft Fabric and AI/ML, the company now gains actionable insights to improve operational efficiency. 

• Pharmacological company – We implemented a Fabric–based analytics platform, enabling them to provide data insights as a service to their own clients. Each external customer has a dedicated Fabric workspace and lakehouse, with an automated pipeline for seamless setup. 

• Logistics company – Through a Microsoft Fabric Proof-of-Concept, we demonstrated Azure’s analytics capabilities for supply chain tracking. Data from both APIs and on-premises SQL systems was ingested to track pallet shipments and returns end-to-end, improving visibility and operational decision-making. 

Next steps  

If you’re interested in exploring Fabric, Databricks or other Azure analytics services, now is the perfect time to take advantage of Microsoft-backed funding. Speak to your Account Manager or aligned Cloud Sales specialist to understand how your organisation could benefit from this programme and accelerate your cloud data initiatives. Alternatively, please contact our Sales team here.