Hitachi Solutions transforms internal operations with Microsoft Fabric

Hitachi Solutions faced difficulties in managing resource allocation and project planning, creating inefficiencies in tracking employee hours and utilization. The company recognized the need for a more streamlined, unified data management approach.

Hitachi Solutions adopted Microsoft Fabric to optimize Power BI and streamline data management, improving data sharing, governance, and real-time insights. Automating manual processes boosted efficiency and enhanced resource planning and management.

Hitachi Solutions realized significant time savings and improved efficiency, enhanced real-time insights and data-driven decisions, better resource management and project planning, and created a new standard for digital transformation.

Hitachi Solutions North America, a global systems integrator and leader in digital transformation, faced challenges in efficiently managing resource allocation and project planning across its North American Data and AI practice. Overseeing dozens of projects and consultants made it difficult to track employee hours and utilization effectively. Recognizing the need for a more streamlined and unified data management approach, the company sought to optimize its Power BI semantic model and improve data sharing, streamline processes, and boost operations.

A smooth transition to advanced solutions

Although Hitachi Solutions regularly deploys Microsoft Fabric for its clients, the company saw an opportunity to use this unified platform internally. Hitachi Solutions was already well-versed in Power BI and the Microsoft data platform, which made the transition to Fabric seamless. "The deployment of Fabric was very straightforward," says Sandeep Pawar, Senior Power BI Architect at Hitachi Solutions and a key figure in the implementation process. "I completed it in just two to three days, thanks to familiar tools and features." This quick rollout allowed Hitachi Solutions to expand its data capabilities without the usual growing pains associated with adopting new technology.

By publishing a semantic model to organize and interpret data with Fabric, Hitachi Solutions achieved several critical objectives: easier data sharing, reduced redundant logic, and enhanced data discoverability. The company also strengthened security and governance measures, ensuring that access to sensitive data is carefully managed. "With Fabric, we've automated a lot of manual processes," notes Cary Holley, VP of Data and AI for Hitachi Solutions. "Everything is now available online, with robust governance in place, so I can quickly identify resource needs."

The deployment of Fabric was very straightforward. I completed it in just two to three days, thanks to familiar tools and features.

Sandeep Pawar, Senior Power BI Architect, Hitachi Solutions

Driving real-time insights and operational efficiency

One of the most considerable advantages of adopting Fabric has been the dramatic improvement in data-driven insights. "Real-time analytics is essential for keeping track of 70 projects and as many staff, ensuring we're not over-allocating or underutilizing resources," explains Holley. Hitachi Solutions has also begun using AI-powered tools, like Copilot for Power BI, to enhance report generation and plans to convert these reports to Fabric for even more advanced use cases.

This level of visibility and automation has cut the time spent on specific tasks in half, freeing up resources for new strategic initiatives. "We've saved significant time, which I’m reinvesting in innovation," Holley adds. Reflecting on his vision to streamline resource allocation and project management processes, Holley says, "My goal is to turn tasks that currently take five to six hours a week into a 15-minute exercise."

With Fabric, we’ve automated a lot of manual processes. Everything is now available online, with robust governance in place, so I can quickly identify resource needs.

Cary Holley, VP of Data and AI, Hitachi Solutions

Scaling success across the organization

With the success of Fabric in the North American Data and AI practice, Hitachi Solutions is now considering a broader rollout across its 12 other practices, such as infrastructure modernization and security. These practices face similar challenges, and an organization-wide deployment of Fabric could significantly streamline cross-practice planning and resource allocation. "We're the incubator now, but imagine the organizational benefit once we roll this out company-wide," says Holley.

Customer excitement and future innovation with Microsoft Fabric

The internal success with Fabric is also resonating with Hitachi Solutions’ clients. "Our clients are eager to adopt Fabric, often faster than we recommend," Holley notes. This enthusiasm underscores the transformative potential of Fabric, both within Hitachi Solutions and for its customers. As the company continues to innovate with this technology, it's not only optimizing its own operations, but also setting a new standard for digital transformation across industries. According to Pawar, "Fabric pretty much has all the ground covered, no matter what the size of the organization or the type of solution they’re looking for."

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