Data Lakehouse for Empwr Nutrition ⚡

Empwr Nutrition specializes in producing white-labeled protein bars. As the company expands through acquisitions, their current Data Warehouse (DWH) fails to scale accordingly. Additionally, we face the challenge of integrating data from diverse sources to achieve a comprehensive overview.
To address these issues, we chose Microsoft Fabric, adhering to the industry’s best practices by adopting the Data Lakehouse architecture complemented by data vaults.
The mission was clear: deliver a DWH from scratch in only 2 months. We accepted that challenge! In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of constructing a new data lakehouse, bolstered by a Power BI visualization layer atop the architecture.
Working with Fabric in 2024: Challenges Beyond the Surface
Collaborating closely with our customer, we made the strategic decision to embrace the Microsoft Fabric Ecosystem for our data infrastructure. While this choice was driven by numerous compelling factors, it’s important to acknowledge that, like any emerging technology, Fabric is still evolving, with some areas requiring further refinement. One notable challenge we encountered was the absence of a SAP Connector, necessitating the incorporation of Azure Data Factory into our staging process to maintain agility and momentum.
Furthermore, from a networking perspective, the availability of Private Endpoints only reached General Availability status in mid-February. Although this development ultimately streamlined our operations, it underscores the reality that pioneering with new technologies entails navigating through potential limitations. Unlike the established norms we’ve grown accustomed to with platforms like Synapse and Databricks, Fabric presented us with a fresh landscape where certain conveniences couldn’t be taken for granted.
Nevertheless, the benefits of leveraging Fabric are substantial and compelling. With robust support from our partner Microsoft, we are poised to harness the full potential of this ecosystem and drive real success for our project. Despite encountering initial challenges, our journey with Fabric exemplifies our commitment to embracing innovation and forging ahead with confidence, knowing that the rewards far outweigh the obstacles along the way.
Following best practices: work with data vaults
In our Data warehousing project, the adoption of data vaults emerged as a pivotal strategy to ensure robustness and scalability in handling our data ecosystem. Leveraging Microsoft Fabric as our platform of choice, we recognized the need for a structured approach that could accommodate the dynamic nature of our data sources. Data vaults provided us with a flexible and agile framework, enabling us to seamlessly integrate data from diverse sources such as SAP, while maintaining data integrity and traceability.
Beyond immediate project needs, our decision to implement data vaults was driven by a broader vision of sustainability and efficiency within Empowr’s data infrastructure. By designing our code-base with reusability in mind, we aimed to maximize the value of our investment not just for the current project, but for future initiatives as well. This forward-thinking approach allowed us to streamline development efforts and reduce redundancy across the organization.
Moreover, the modular nature of data vault architecture empowered our team to adapt to evolving business requirements with ease. As Empowr grows with acquisitions, new data sources were onboarded and analytics needs evolved, our data vaults provided a solid foundation for iteration and expansion.
In essence, our utilization of data vaults on Microsoft Fabric was not merely a technical decision, but a strategic one rooted in our commitment to innovation and long-term success. By embracing this methodology, we fortified Empowr’s data infrastructure to withstand the complexities of modern data management, while laying the groundwork for future growth and innovation.
Turn data into insights
In harnessing the capabilities of Power BI within our analytics framework, we addressed two critical use cases: gaining a comprehensive financial overview and enhancing operational excellence across our protein bar manufacturing facilities.
Firstly, Power BI facilitated the consolidation and analysis of financial data from various sources, enabling us to generate comprehensive reports and dashboards that provided a real-time snapshot of our financial health. With intuitive visualizations, Empower can identify trends, monitor key performance indicators, and make data-driven decisions to optimize financial strategies and maximize profitability.
Secondly, in our quest for operational excellence within our protein bar manufacturing facilities, Power BI played a pivotal role in streamlining processes and enhancing productivity. By integrating data from production lines, quality control systems, and inventory management, we gained valuable insights into operational inefficiencies and bottlenecks. Armed with this information, we could implement targeted improvements, optimize resource allocation, and ensure smoother operations to meet growing demand while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency.
In both use cases, Power BI served as a catalyst for driving actionable insights and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making within Empowr. By leveraging its capabilities to visualize data effectively, we not only addressed immediate challenges but also laid a foundation for sustained growth and innovation across financial and operational domains.
What can we do for you?
In a world driven by data, the success stories of Data Champions and the evolution of data lakehouses and Power BI reporting have captured the imagination of organizations seeking a competitive edge. The journey from expert-led analytics to self-service empowerment is a roadmap that countless businesses aspire to follow. If you’re inspired by the possibilities of harnessing the power of your data and want to embark on a transformative journey, we invite you to connect with us.
Our team is ready to guide you through the process of building a data lakehouse that seamlessly integrates with Power BI and supports the growth of Data Champions within your organization. The benefits are clear: faster insights, deeper context, and a more engaged and empowered workforce. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to shape a data-driven culture that drives innovation and success.
Reach out to us today to start your own journey toward data democratization, and discover how you too can empower your Data Champions and unlock the potential of a unified data ecosystem. Contact us now to embark on a transformation that will redefine the way you approach analytics and drive your organization’s future growth.



Become data driven
Call us for fast support to this number.
+32 473 444 882