Data Warehousing Reimagined with Microsoft Fabric
Microsoft Fabric brings a new approach to data warehousing that combines the familiar T-SQL experience with the scalability of cloud-native architecture. Unlike traditional warehouses that require complex infrastructure management, Fabric’s warehouse workload is fully managed, automatically distributed, and integrated with every other Fabric component. This one-day training at ITTA in Geneva and Lausanne teaches you to build and manage Fabric warehouses efficiently.
If you have experience with Azure Synapse dedicated SQL pools, SQL Server data warehouses, or other traditional warehousing platforms, Fabric’s warehouse will feel familiar yet significantly simplified. You use standard T-SQL for data definition, loading, and querying, while Fabric handles compute scaling, storage management, and cross-workload integration behind the scenes.
ITTA’s MCT-certified trainers bring practical warehousing experience to the classroom. They teach you not just the Fabric-specific features but also proven dimensional modelling patterns that produce high-performance analytical solutions.
Programme: From Schema Design to Production Warehouse
The morning begins with warehouse creation and configuration in a Fabric workspace. You learn how the warehouse differs from the lakehouse (structured tables only, full T-SQL DDL/DML support, row-level and column-level security) and when to choose each. The dimensional modelling module covers star schema design: identifying fact tables, designing dimension tables, choosing surrogate keys, and handling slowly changing dimensions (SCD Type 1 and Type 2).
The midday session focuses on data loading. You use COPY INTO for bulk ingestion from files, build Data Factory pipelines for orchestrated loading, and implement T-SQL stored procedures for transformation logic. You learn to design incremental load patterns that process only new and changed records, reducing processing time and resource consumption.
The afternoon covers advanced querying and operations. You write cross-database queries that join warehouse tables with lakehouse Delta tables, create views for reporting layers, and implement object-level security. The session concludes with performance monitoring, query optimisation techniques, and integration with Power BI using Direct Lake and DirectQuery modes.
Hands-On Labs with Fabric Warehouse
You work in a dedicated Fabric capacity throughout the day, building a complete sales data warehouse from scratch. The labs guide you through creating dimension and fact tables, loading sample data from CSV and Parquet files, implementing SCD Type 2 for customer dimensions, and writing analytical queries that leverage the star schema for fast aggregation.
A particularly valuable exercise involves cross-workload querying: you access lakehouse Delta tables from warehouse queries using cross-database references, demonstrating how Fabric’s unified platform eliminates data silos. Your trainer explains the performance implications and helps you choose the right pattern for different scenarios.
All exercises use the official Microsoft courseware, providing consistent preparation for Fabric-related assessments and real-world implementations.
Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for BI developers, data engineers, and SQL professionals who need to build warehouses in Fabric. If you currently design data warehouses using SQL Server, Azure Synapse, or other platforms, this training shows you how to apply your skills in the Fabric ecosystem. Data analysts who need to understand how their reporting data is structured and loaded will also benefit significantly.
Prerequisites include solid T-SQL skills (SELECT, JOIN, aggregate functions, DDL) and familiarity with dimensional modelling concepts. The DP-080 course provides excellent T-SQL preparation if needed.
Available in person in Geneva and Lausanne or via virtual classroom at ITTA.
Complementary to Lakehouse Skills
While the lakehouse (DP-601) and warehouse (DP-602) serve different purposes within Fabric, they are complementary. Many Fabric implementations use both: the lakehouse for flexible data exploration and data science workloads, and the warehouse for structured analytical models that serve Power BI reports. Understanding both workloads — and knowing when to use each — makes you a more effective Fabric practitioner.
This training clarifies the decision criteria: when to choose warehouse tables over lakehouse Delta tables, how to share data between the two using shortcuts and cross-database queries, and how to design a unified architecture that leverages the strengths of each approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DP-602 and DP-601?
DP-601 focuses on the lakehouse workload (Delta tables, Spark, medallion architecture). DP-602 focuses on the warehouse workload (T-SQL, star schemas, dimensional modelling). They are complementary — many Fabric implementations use both.
Do I need Fabric experience before attending?
No. The course starts with workspace and warehouse creation. However, T-SQL proficiency and dimensional modelling knowledge are expected.
Can I use existing SQL Server skills in Fabric warehouses?
Yes. Fabric warehouses use T-SQL, so your existing SQL Server skills transfer directly. The course highlights the differences and new capabilities specific to Fabric.
Is this training available virtually?
Yes. ITTA offers both in-person and virtual classroom formats with the same instructor-led experience and labs.
How does Direct Lake differ from DirectQuery for Power BI?
Direct Lake reads directly from Delta/Parquet files in OneLake, offering near-import performance without data duplication. DirectQuery sends live queries to the warehouse engine. The course explains when to use each mode for optimal performance.