How IBM Consulting drives AI-powered innovation with Fabric expertise

IBM Consulting delivers time-tested Microsoft capabilities and AI-powered capabilities on a global scale.

August 14, 2024

IBM Consulting is a global leader in software consulting and solution development for customers across industries ranging from consumer packaged goods (CPG) to banking and financial services. Their mission is to stay ahead of the technological curve and provide digital technical innovation that drives business outcomes.

In the unique position of being a major consultancy that sits within a tech company, IBM Consulting offers guidance and strategy that covers the entire life cycle of technology development and deployment at a global scale. However, Sumeet Parashar, Global Offering Leader for Azure Data and AI at IBM Consulting, thinks of experience as their biggest differentiator. "We've been in the business for quite some time. Our Microsoft practice itself is about 15 years old. We try to stay in a thought leadership mindset and ask, 'What's needed here?' We think ahead."

It's that seasoned commitment to innovation and customer success that drives IBM Consulting's approach to Microsoft Fabric, the AI-powered analytics platform that unites data and services. "That's really the secret sauce," says Sri Gecka, Associate Partner, Cloud Data Platforms at IBM. "We have learned what works best for clients over time. And we think about how we can accelerate our clients' data platform adoption using key solutions like Fabric in their modern data cloud journey."

IBM and Microsoft: A partnership rooted in innovation

Collaboration between IBM Consulting and Microsoft began organically more than a decade ago, in part out of a desire to meet customers’ preferences for Microsoft tools and technologies. However, it was only within the past seven years that they chose to formalize this partnership by establishing a dedicated Microsoft practice.

Over time, the partnership has been decorated: IBM Consulting is among the top Microsoft global systems integrators. The company has also been awarded multiple Partner of the Year Awards, including in AI and machine learning. In addition, IBM Consulting collaborates closely with Microsoft and select partners to share insights and shape the future of AI technologies.

But the partnership between IBM Consulting and Microsoft has provided more than accolades. With early access to Microsoft product roadmaps, IBM Consulting has been able to prepare consultants and develop solutions that are ready to deploy in sync with the release of Microsoft technologies—such as when Fabric launched in 2023.

"Through Fabric, we can offer comprehensive data solutions that help clients modernize their data estates, streamline data operations, and use AI for business transformation," says Parashar. IBM Consulting uses Fabric for robust, scalable data solutions capable of addressing challenges across a variety of industries and use cases.

A person sitting and smiling at their laptop

"Through Fabric, we offer comprehensive data solutions that help clients modernize their data estates, streamline data operations, and leverage AI for business transformation."

—Sumeet Parashar, Global Offering Leader for Azure Data and AI, IBM Consulting

Expert accelerators—from one IT giant to another

As a Microsoft partner working with Fabric, IBM Consulting runs accelerators that help customers obtain business value from two of the world's biggest IT organizations. Copilot Catalyst, for example, is an IBM Consulting accelerator that helps build and deploy copilots and offers high flexibility and adaptability in copilot creation. IBM Consulting's generative AI data migration accelerator is another offering, helping customers migrate their legacy data estates to modern platforms such as Fabric. "Our accelerator automates the migration process," says Parashar, "converting old code to new and ensuring seamless interoperation with new systems." The accelerator scans existing data systems to identify connections, convert code, and help provide data integrity during migration, minimizing disruptions to the customer's operations.

Through these programs and collaborations, IBM Consulting both enhances their own capabilities and contributes valuable feedback to Microsoft, helping improve and refine their products. This symbiotic relationship ensures both enterprises continue to lead in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and data solutions.

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"We have learned what works best for clients over time. And we think about how we can accelerate our clients' data platform adoption using key solutions like Fabric in their modern data cloud journey."

—Sri Gecka, Associate Partner, Cloud Data Platforms, IBM

Empowering a large CPG organization with Microsoft Fabric

IBM's generative AI data migration accelerator was further customized for a large CPG organization that approached IBM Consulting for support in migrating their data estate to Microsoft Azure Databricks and Azure Synapse. This customization was essential to handle the complexity of the customer's diverse data sources and targets.

Currently, IBM Consulting is assisting the customer with a comprehensive data and AI strategy. This multifaceted engagement spans several key initiatives, including systems applications and product work, sustainability efforts, and extensive generative AI projects. IBM Consulting is even building out a generative AI center of excellence for the customer, where their AI can be centralized.

"While we are migrating some of their programs, we are also helping the client think through how they can continue to adopt Fabric," says Gecka. "We want to ensure they don't acquire more technical debt than is mission-critical, that their internal teams have quick and reliable access to information, and that data is managed quickly and efficiently. Fabric helps us achieve that."

Through innovative use of Fabric and a reimagining of data management, IBM Consulting is on track to help this large CPG organization achieve significant business outcomes in the long-term.

Continued Fabric success with IBM and Microsoft

IBM Consulting plans to expand their practice by further investing in technological capabilities like Microsoft Copilot and other AI-powered features. They also plan to enhance existing solutions and develop new ones that take advantage of the full potential of Fabric. By staying ahead of the curve and embracing the latest advancements in AI and data analytics, they hope to continue providing customers with solutions that drive business transformation and deliver measurable results.

Looking forward, it's clear: IBM Consulting and Microsoft will continue to align their AI offerings and strategic priorities for tomorrow, all thanks to the symbiotic, innovative partnership they've cultivated for years.

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