Celonis and Microsoft Integration: Transforming Process Intelligence with Zero-Copy Data

Expanding the horizons of process intelligence, the latest strategic collaboration between Celonis and Microsoft is redefining how enterprises harness data in Microsoft Fabric. By integrating Celonis Process Intelligence Graph with Microsoft’s robust data environment, organizations can now embed advanced process insights into their analytics tools and AI applications—without the traditional challenges of data duplication and transfer overhead.

Unpacking the Strategic Collaboration​

Celonis, the global leader in process mining, has expanded its strategic alliance with Microsoft, unveiling a series of integrations designed specifically to empower customers with richer process intelligence. At the heart of this initiative is a zero-copy integration between the Celonis Process Intelligence Graph and Microsoft Fabric. This strategic move not only streamlines data ingestion but also allows businesses to leverage the process intelligence capabilities of Celonis directly within familiar Microsoft ecosystems, such as Power BI dashboards and AI agents.
Key points of this collaboration include:

• Integration of Celonis Process Intelligence Graph with Microsoft Fabric
• Zero-copy data sharing that leverages Microsoft OneLake as the underlying data repository
• Instant synchronization of process data, reducing storage and transfer costs
• Seamless embedding of process intelligence in custom applications and dashboards

By eliminating the need to duplicate data, enterprises can avoid unnecessary delays and reduce costs while gaining immediate insights into operational processes.

The Zero-Copy Data Revolution​

One of the standout elements of this collaboration is the zero-copy integration. Traditional data synchronization methods often involve physically copying data from one system to another, which can be both time-consuming and financially draining. With the new integration, the Celonis Data Core ingests and processes data directly from Microsoft OneLake without any redundant copying. This approach offers several significant benefits:

• • Cost Efficiency: By keeping data in place, organizations avoid redundant storage costs and reduce data transfer expenses.
• • Speed: Real-time data availability means that insights can be derived instantly, a critical advantage for enterprises that rely on agile responses to business process challenges.
• • Simplified Operations: With automatic data synchronization, IT departments no longer have to manage complex processes to keep disparate systems in sync.

Imagine a scenario where a business intelligence dashboard powered by Microsoft Power BI instantly reflects real-time changes in operational processes—a seamless experience powered by Celonis process intelligence. This efficiency transforms what was once a laborious, multi-step process into a swift and effortless endeavor.

Empowering AI and Agentic Intelligence​

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, AI acceleration takes myriad forms—from low-code/no-code platforms democratizing technology access to background processes optimizing AI capabilities. The Celonis and Microsoft collaboration is a prime example of how process intelligence can supercharge AI development.
One particularly exciting aspect is the possibility of embedding Celonis’ process intelligence into AI agents. Within Microsoft Fabric’s Workload Hub, customers will soon have access to Celonis Process Intelligence Workloads. This integration allows for the synchronization of process-specific metrics and the embedding of Celonis views, providing tailored visual analytics that enhance both operational insights and AI-driven decision-making.
Consider these benefits:

• • Enhanced Process Visibility: AI agents can now operate using contextual process data, intelligently automating tasks and optimizing workflows.
• • Improved Customization: Through integrations with tools like Microsoft Power BI, businesses can create bespoke dashboards that display real-time process intelligence, driving better strategic decisions.
• • Future-Proofing: As enterprises deepen their use of AI, integrating walking processes with intelligent agents lays the groundwork for more robust, adaptive systems in the future.

The convergence of process mining and agentic AI signifies a transformative step in enterprise technology—one that blurs the lines between traditional automation, robotic process automation (RPA), and modern predictive analytics.

Impact on Microsoft Customers and Windows Users​

For the vast ecosystem of Microsoft customers, and Windows users in particular, this collaboration promises to enhance the very way business data is leveraged within familiar environments. Microsoft Fabric’s integration with Celonis process intelligence is designed to be as unobtrusive as it is powerful—delivering on-demand process insights that integrate directly into existing workflows.
Windows users and enterprise IT departments can look forward to:

• • Immediate access to process insights within Microsoft’s flagship analytics platforms such as Power BI
• • Enhanced data fidelity due to the zero-copy approach, ensuring that insights are based on the most current data available in OneLake
• • A streamlined experience that reduces the need for complex data synchronization tasks, freeing up resources to focus on higher-value analysis and decision-making

Such benefits underscore how this integration is set to boost productivity and drive smarter, data-informed decisions across industries. For IT professionals familiar with Microsoft’s robust suite of enterprise tools, the marriage between Celonis process intelligence and Microsoft Fabric represents a significant step forward in integrating specialized analytics with mainstream business applications.

Technical Synergy: Behind the Data Core​

At the core of this integration is the powerful Celonis Data Core, which serves as the engine behind the zero-copy technology. The Data Core facilitates fast and streamlined data ingestion directly from Microsoft OneLake, ensuring that the necessary process intelligence is available at the speed needed for real-time business insights. By keeping the data in place within the Microsoft ecosystem, the integration seamlessly aligns with existing IT infrastructures without necessitating additional data overhead.
A few technical highlights include:

• Fast Data Ingestion: The Celonis Data Core can rapidly process data extracted from Microsoft OneLake, reducing delays that may otherwise occur due to data copying procedures.
• On-Demand Insights: With data instantly available, users can quickly analyze process metrics and identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies in their workflows.
• Enhanced Synchronization: The integration ensures that process-specific metrics are continuously synchronized with Celonis Workloads in Microsoft Fabric’s Workload Hub, maintaining data accuracy and relevance.

This technical synergy is a prime example of how specialized platforms like Celonis can be effectively tailored to enhance broader enterprise ecosystems. It’s akin to equipping a well-oiled sports car (Microsoft Fabric) with a cutting-edge engine (Celonis Data Core), resulting in an efficient, high-performance machine built for the demands of modern business.

A New Era for Process Mining and AI Integration​

The collaboration between Celonis and Microsoft signifies more than just an upgrade to data pipelines—it heralds a new era where process intelligence and AI are deeply integrated into daily business operations. As process mining becomes increasingly crucial in identifying inefficiencies and streamlining workflows, the ability to integrate these insights directly into AI platforms positions organizations at the forefront of digital innovation.
Some industry implications include:

• • Converging Disciplines: Technologies such as RPA, OCR, and predictive analytics are being absorbed into a unified AI framework, making specialized process mining an invaluable cog in the larger machine.
• • Improved Decision-Making: With contextual business process data feeding AI and machine learning models, enterprises can more accurately predict outcomes and refine their operational strategies.
• • Strengthened Competitive Edge: In an era where innovation is a key competitive differentiator, integrating process intelligence into everyday operations gives businesses a significant advantage.

This integration also underscores the importance of specialization—a nod to Celonis’s expertise in the process intelligence space. Despite the broader convergence of technologies under the AI umbrella, Celonis continues to stand apart with its unparalleled capabilities in process mining. Microsoft customers, now armed with these specialized tools within an already robust fabric of enterprise solutions, are poised to drive unprecedented levels of operational efficiency and innovation.

Customer-Centric Innovation and Market Impact​

What does this integration mean for real-world business applications? For one, it enables companies to move beyond traditional data silos into a realm where process data becomes a living, breathing asset. By allowing powerful analytical insights to be embedded directly in platforms like Power BI and Excel, the integration not only simplifies data visualization but also enhances strategic decision-making.
Key customer-centric benefits include:

• • Reduction in Data Duplication: The zero-copy integration ensures that businesses are not burdened with redundant data management tasks.
• • Real-Time Process Insights: With instant data availability, decision-makers gain access to timely and actionable insights into their operations.
• • Enhanced User Experience: Embedding process intelligence into familiar tools reduces the learning curve and promotes smoother adoption across the enterprise.
• • Scalability: As businesses grow and processes evolve, the seamless synchronization provided by the integration ensures that analytics remain accurate and relevant.

Ultimately, this collaboration is about empowering customers to get more from their data without the technical overhead typically associated with complex analytics integrations. For Windows users and IT professionals, it offers a future where process intelligence is not an isolated function but a deeply integrated element of an agile, AI-powered enterprise.

Setting the Stage: AI Agent & Copilot Summit​

Adding further momentum to this trend is the upcoming AI Agent & Copilot Summit—a gathering designed to explore the future of AI integration in enterprise environments. The event, scheduled for March 16-18 in San Diego, promises to provide a forum for industry experts to showcase how tools like Microsoft Copilot and Celonis-agent-enhanced process intelligence can transform business operations. The summit will delve into topics such as:

• • The evolution of agentic AI and its relevance in modern enterprises
• • How embedded process intelligence can refine AI models and drive operational excellence
• • Real-world case studies demonstrating successful integrations and tangible business outcomes

For enterprises already leveraging Microsoft’s technologies, the summit represents an exciting opportunity to see firsthand how next-generation AI tools can be seamlessly integrated into everyday workflows. It’s a clear signal that the fusion of process mining and AI is not just an experimental concept but a rapidly emerging cornerstone of enterprise innovation.

Looking Ahead: The Convergence of Data and Intelligence​

As process intelligence becomes an intrinsic part of the AI landscape, the collaboration between Celonis and Microsoft offers a glimpse into a future where data flows freely and insights are available on demand. The integration of Celonis Process Intelligence Graph into Microsoft Fabric exemplifies how strategic partnerships can deliver tangible benefits to businesses—reducing costs, accelerating data availability, and powering AI with the contextual information necessary for intelligent decision-making.
This innovative approach underscores one key insight: the true power of AI arises when it is supported by precise, context-rich data. By providing a bridge between the established Microsoft ecosystem and cutting-edge process intelligence, this collaboration not only enhances operational efficiency but also positions businesses to thrive in a highly competitive AI-driven marketplace.

Key Takeaways​

• Celonis and Microsoft have deepened their collaboration by integrating process intelligence directly into Microsoft Fabric.
• The zero-copy data integration with Microsoft OneLake eliminates redundancy, reducing both storage costs and data transfer times.
• Microsoft customers, including many Windows users, will benefit from real-time process insights embedded in familiar applications like Power BI.
• This initiative paves the way for enhanced AI agent development, as process-specific metrics and visualizations become readily accessible.
• The integration is a powerful convergence of specialized process mining and mainstream enterprise analytics, setting a new standard for operational efficiency and innovation in the competitive AI era.

In summary, this groundbreaking integration truly establishes a new paradigm for how businesses can leverage process intelligence alongside AI. By embedding detailed process analytics into Microsoft Fabric, organizations can now harness the full potential of their data—making insightful, data-driven decisions faster and more efficiently than ever before. As the landscape of enterprise technology continues to evolve, initiatives like these not only exemplify the power of strategic collaboration but also offer a roadmap for the future of intelligent business process management.

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Source: Cloud Wars Celonis and Microsoft Expand Strategic Collaboration Bringing Process Intelligence to Fabric