At Microsoft Ignite, Snowflake announced an expanded partnership with Microsoft, introducing the Snowflake Power Platform connector for Microsoft Power Platform. This connector enables seamless, bidirectional access between Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud and Dataverse, Microsoft’s enterprise data platform. The integration simplifies data interoperability, empowering developers and business users to create and leverage AI-driven enterprise applications with minimal coding while maintaining robust security and governance.
1. The Snowflake-Microsoft Partnership:
- Key Highlights:
- Launch of the Snowflake Power Platform connector.
- Bidirectional access between Dataverse and Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud.
- Enhanced interoperability with Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365.
- Core Goals:
- Simplify data collaboration and eliminate silos.
- Enable developers and business users to build custom AI applications efficiently.
- Foster deeper enterprise insights through integrated data access.
2. Developer and Business User Benefits:
- Streamlined Development Process:
- Elimination of custom workflows for Microsoft Power Apps developers.
- Minimal coding effort required to build applications with Snowflake data.
- Enhanced Productivity:
- Quick access to enterprise data in Snowflake through Power Platform tools.
- Simplified infrastructure management for IT and analytics leaders.
- Integrated Security and Governance:
- Data remains within Snowflake’s secure platform during development.
- Ensures compliance with enterprise data governance standards.
3. Key Features and Use Cases:
- Low-Code/No-Code Advantage:
- Accelerates the creation of custom AI-driven enterprise applications.
- Seamlessly integrates Snowflake data into Power Platform applications.
- Enterprise-Wide Insights:
- Enables Dynamics 365 users to connect data with Snowflake for holistic analysis.
- Supports near real-time analytics and high-volume transactions for broader business insights.
4. Statements from Leadership:
- Christian Kleinerman, EVP of Product, Snowflake:
- Emphasized the partnership’s focus on eliminating data silos and enhancing productivity.
- Highlighted the importance of bidirectional data access for collaboration and AI-driven application development.
- Charles Lamanna, Corporate VP, Microsoft:
- Praised the integration for enabling powerful AI-first applications on Power Platform and Copilot Studio.
- Noted how the collaboration boosts productivity while ensuring IT security and governance.
5. Broader Implications:
- Public Preview and Future Plans:
- Current public preview: Data access from Snowflake AI Data Cloud to Dataverse and Microsoft Power Platform.
- Upcoming in 2025: Data access from Dataverse to Snowflake.
- Continued Innovation:
- Earlier partnership milestones include bidirectional data access between Snowflake AI Data Cloud and Microsoft Fabric via Apache Iceberg.
- Ongoing efforts to expand enterprise AI capabilities across platforms.
The Snowflake Power Platform connector deepens the partnership between Snowflake and Microsoft, empowering developers and business users with seamless data integration, secure application development, and AI-powered insights. This collaboration drives innovation, productivity, and enterprise-wide digital transformation.