Data teams hear the same request every day. “Can you pull a quick report?” But quick rarely happens. Gartner research shows 65% of organizations still use data selectively to justify decisions they already made, rather than letting data truly drive decision making. McKinsey found only 48% of leaders agree their organizations make decisions quickly.
The delay happens because accessing insights takes too long. Companies that use innovative data techniques can resolve business challenges in hours or days instead of weeks or months, according to McKinsey research .
Microsoft Fabric already handles the hard part. Your data lives in one unified platform with strong security and governance. But most business users still can’t access it without technical skills.
Karl changes this. Karl is Kanerika’s data insights AI agent , now available as a workload in Microsoft Fabric (Preview). It adds a conversational layer to your existing Microsoft Fabric environment.
Built specifically for retail and manufacturing teams, Karl connects directly to your Microsoft Fabric lakehouses. You ask questions in plain English. Karl delivers AI-powered insights in seconds. No SQL knowledge required, no waiting for analysts, and no bottlenecks.
TL;DR Karl is an AI agent, available as workload in Microsoft Fabric (Preview) that turns your data questions into instant insights. Ask in plain English, get answers in seconds. No SQL needed. Built for retail and manufacturing teams to analyze production, inventory, sales, and operations without waiting on analysts. Your data becomes accessible to everyone while maintaining security and governance.
What Is Karl on Microsoft Fabric? Karl is a data insights AI agent now available as a workload in Microsoft Fabric (Preview) . It adds a conversational intelligence layer to your Microsoft Fabric environment, connecting directly to your lakehouses to transform complex data into instant, actionable insights.
Purpose-built for retail and manufacturing industries , Karl eliminates the need for technical expertise or lengthy report development. Simply ask questions in natural language, and Karl delivers the analysis you need—making advanced data intelligence accessible to everyone in your organization, from executives to frontline managers.
How Karl Adds Conversational Intelligence to Microsoft Fabric 1. Microsoft Fabric’s Power Lies in Comprehensive Data Unification Microsoft Fabric brings together your lakehouses, data warehouses , and semantic models in one platform. All your enterprise data sits in a single, governed environment with unified security policies.
Eliminates data silos across departments Scales with your business without multiple tool integrations 2. Natural Language Access Unlocks That Power for Every Team Member Karl adds a conversational layer on top of your Microsoft Fabric environment. Anyone can now query data using plain English instead of learning SQL, DAX, or Python.
Finance teams ask budget questions during meetings without waiting Operations staff monitor production metrics in real time No technical training required to get started 3. Technical Users Continue Leveraging Microsoft Fabric’s Full Analytics Capabilities Karl doesn’t replace existing Microsoft Fabric tools. Data engineers and analysts still use Power BI , notebooks, and other advanced features for complex modeling and analysis.
Advanced users can still write custom queries and build dashboards Karl handles routine requests so analysts focus on strategic work Both approaches work together from the same data source 4. Business Users Gain Instant Access Through Simple Conversations Karl connects directly to your Microsoft Fabric lakehouses and translates questions into optimized queries. You get AI-powered insights in seconds without understanding the technical complexity behind them.
Ask questions like talking to a colleague Receive automatic visualizations in interactive Canvas mode Drill down with follow-up questions that remember context Share findings instantly with your team 5. Everyone Benefits from the Same Trusted, Governed Data Source Karl inherits Microsoft Fabric’s security policies and role-based access controls. Every insight comes from the same governed data that powers your enterprise analytics .
Users only see data they have permission to access Full audit trails track who asked what and when Maintains compliance with industry regulations like HIPAA and GDPR
What Makes Karl Different: Superior AI-Powered Insights Capabilities 1. Advanced Context Awareness for Smarter Insights Karl understands nuance and ambiguity in your questions. When you ask “show me performance,” Karl considers your role, previous queries, and business context to deliver the right insights without lengthy clarification.
Handles complex multi-part questions in one query Recognizes business context beyond literal keywords Provides relevant answers even with incomplete information Understands industry-specific terminology for retail and manufacturing Adapts responses based on your department and role 2. Memory-Enabled Learning for Continuous Improvement Karl remembers your analysis patterns and preferences throughout each session. This means less repetitive setup and faster access to the insights you need most.
Builds on previous questions without resetting context Learns your team’s specific workflows over time Reduces time spent explaining the same metrics repeatedly Adapts to your business terminology and definitions Maintains conversation history for seamless follow-up queries 3. Full Data Access Across Your Microsoft Fabric Environment Karl works with all data sources in your Microsoft Fabric lakehouses. Whether your data lives in SQL databases, NoSQL systems, or cloud storage , Karl pulls it together in one query.
Combines multiple data types in single analysis Queries real-time and historical data simultaneously 4. Interactive visualizations for Better Decision-Making Karl generates live visualizations you can manipulate in real time. Click to drill down, filter different dimensions, or pivot views without writing new queries.
Auto-generates charts and graphs from query results Creates interactive Canvas dashboards for exploration Allows dynamic filtering and pivoting on the fly Supports export to presentations and stakeholder reports 5. Built-In Data Validation and Quality Checks Karl backs every answer with sources and citations for transparency. The system automatically validates results against known patterns and flags potential data quality issues.
Provides source attribution for all insights Flags inconsistencies or anomalies in results Reduces errors and increases confidence in analysis 6. Enterprise-Grade Security Karl is built with role-based access controls and full audit trails. Every query is logged for compliance, and users only see data they have permission to access.
Role-based access controls restrict data visibility Complete audit trails track all user queries Supports compliance with SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR requirements Agentic Automation: The Future Of AI-Driven Business Efficiency Explore how agentic automation is driving next-level business efficiency by enabling AI systems to act, decide, and execute with minimal human effort.
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Karl on Microsoft Fabric: Real-World Use Cases Manufacturing Use Cases Manufacturing plants struggle with visibility into real-time production efficiency . Karl connects to your Microsoft Fabric lakehouse to analyze machine utilization rates, cycle times, and throughput data across multiple production lines.
How Karl Helps Ask “Which production line has the lowest output this week?” and Karl pulls data from your IoT sensors, MES systems, and quality databases. The AI agent identifies bottlenecks by comparing actual vs. planned production rates.
Analyzes real-time machine performance data Compares shift-level productivity metrics Identifies underperforming equipment before downtime occurs Tracks OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) trends 2. Quality Control and Defect Rate Analysis Quality issues cost manufacturers millions in rework, scrap, and warranty claims. Karl aggregates inspection data, supplier quality metrics, and process parameters to spot patterns in defect rates.
How Karl Helps Type “Show me defect trends for Product SKU 4782 over the last 90 days” and get instant visualizations. Karl correlates defects with specific suppliers, production batches, or equipment settings.
Tracks defect rates by product line and shift Compares supplier quality performance Analyzes root causes across production variables Monitors compliance with quality standards 3. Supply Chain Inventory Optimization Excess inventory ties up capital while stockouts halt production. Karl analyzes consumption patterns, lead times, and supplier reliability data stored in your Fabric environment.
How Karl Helps Ask “What raw materials should I reorder this week based on production schedule?” Karl factors in current stock levels, upcoming orders, and historical usage rates.
Forecasts material requirements based on production plans Calculates optimal reorder points for components Tracks supplier lead time variability Identifies slow-moving inventory for reduction 4. Energy Consumption and Cost Analysis Energy represents 15-30% of manufacturing costs in heavy industries. Karl connects to utility meters, production systems, and cost databases to identify energy waste.
How Karl Helps Query “Which machines consume the most energy per unit produced?” and Karl calculates energy intensity across your equipment. The system spots inefficient operations and suggests optimization opportunities.
Analyzes energy usage by machine, shift, and product Compares energy costs across facilities Identifies peak demand charges and timing Tracks sustainability metrics for reporting 5. Workforce Productivity and Labor Cost Management Labor costs account for significant manufacturing expenses. Karl analyzes attendance records, production output, and labor hour data to optimize workforce allocation.
How Karl Helps Ask “What’s our labor cost per unit by shift and department?” Karl breaks down productivity metrics and highlights teams exceeding or missing targets.
Tracks output per labor hour across shifts Compares productivity between teams and facilities Analyzes overtime patterns and costs Monitors training effectiveness through performance changes
Retail Use Cases Retail chains need visibility into which locations drive revenue and which underperform. Karl pulls POS data, foot traffic, and transaction details from your Microsoft Fabric lakehouse.
How Karl Helps Type “Compare sales performance across all stores in the Northeast region this quarter” and get instant breakdowns by location, category, and time period.
Analyzes same-store sales growth trends Compares revenue per square foot across locations Tracks conversion rates from foot traffic to purchases Identifies top and bottom performing stores by metric 2. Inventory Demand Forecasting and Stock Management Out-of-stocks lose sales while overstock creates markdowns. Karl analyzes historical sales data , seasonal patterns, and current inventory levels to optimize stock.
How Karl Helps Ask “What inventory should I order for Store 42 next month?” Karl considers past sales velocity, upcoming promotions, and local demand patterns.
Recommends optimal stock levels to prevent stockouts Identifies slow-moving items for clearance Calculates safety stock requirements 3. Customer Buying Pattern Analysis Understanding what customers buy together improves merchandising and promotions. Karl analyzes transaction data to reveal purchase relationships and shopping behaviors.
How Karl Helps Query “What products do customers buy with running shoes?” and Karl shows basket analysis, average order values, and cross-sell opportunities.
Identifies product affinity and bundle opportunities Analyzes customer purchase frequency patterns Tracks category performance by customer segment Reveals seasonal buying behavior changes Retailers spend heavily on promotions without clear ROI visibility. Karl connects promotional calendars with sales data to measure what actually drives revenue.
How Karl Helps Ask “What was the ROI on last month’s email campaign for winter coats?” Karl calculates incremental sales, margin impact, and customer acquisition costs.
Measures sales lift from promotional activities Compares discount depth vs. revenue impact Tracks promotional costs against margin contribution Analyzes channel effectiveness across email, social, and in-store 5. Customer Segmentation and Personalization Generic marketing wastes budget. Karl segments customers based on purchase history, preferences, and behavior patterns stored in your Fabric environment.
How Karl Helps Type “Show me customer segments with highest lifetime value” and Karl groups customers by spending, frequency, and product preferences.
Creates behavioral customer segments automatically Identifies high-value customers for retention focus Tracks customer lifetime value trends Recommends personalized product suggestions Partner with Kanerika to Elevate Your Enterprise Workflows with Powerful AI Agents Kanerika specializes in agentic AI and machine learning solutions that transform how businesses operate. We help organizations across manufacturing, retail, finance, and healthcare drive real innovation while boosting productivity and cutting costs.
Our team has built purpose-built AI agents and custom generative AI models that solve specific business challenges. These solutions include faster document retrieval with DokGPT, AI-powered data insights through Karl, intelligent video analysis, smart surveillance systems, inventory optimization tools, sales forecasting models, financial predictions, automated data validation, vendor evaluation systems, and dynamic pricing engines.
We don’t just build technology. We address your operational bottlenecks and elevate performance across your entire organization.
As a trusted partner of Microsoft and Databricks , Kanerika maintains the highest standards for quality and security. Our CMMI Level 3 , ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and SOC 2 certifications ensure your data and operations remain protected.
Partner with us to turn AI potential into measurable business results. Let’s build solutions that actually work for your unique challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions How does Karl work on Microsoft Fabric? Karl adds a conversational intelligence layer on top of your existing Microsoft Fabric environment. It connects directly to your lakehouses and inherits your security policies and role-based access controls. Users query data through natural language while Karl translates questions into optimized queries. Your data never leaves the secure Fabric environment.
Do I need SQL knowledge to use Karl? No SQL knowledge required. Karl understands plain English questions like “Which stores had the best sales last month?” You ask questions as you would to a colleague, and Karl handles the technical complexity. This makes data analysis accessible to finance teams, sales managers, operations staff, and category managers without technical training.
What industries is Karl designed for? Karl is purpose-built for retail and manufacturing industries. It understands industry-specific terminology like comp sales, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), SKU performance, defect rates, and inventory turnover. The AI agent handles use cases including production monitoring, quality control, sales analytics, inventory forecasting, and promotional effectiveness measurement.
How does Karl maintain data security and compliance? Karl inherits Microsoft Fabric’s enterprise-grade security with role-based access controls and complete audit trails. Users only see data they have permission to access. The system supports SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance requirements. End-to-end encryption protects sensitive information, and every query is logged for compliance tracking and governance.
Can Karl analyze real-time data? Yes. Karl queries real-time and historical data simultaneously from your Microsoft Fabric lakehouses. It pulls information from IoT sensors, POS systems, MES platforms, and other live data sources. Manufacturing teams monitor production metrics as they happen, while retail teams track sales and inventory levels in real time for immediate decision-making.
What types of visualizations does Karl create? Karl auto-generates interactive charts, graphs, and Canvas dashboards from query results. You can click to drill down, filter dimensions, and pivot views without writing new queries. The system creates visual data discovery tools rather than static reports. Visualizations can be exported to presentations and stakeholder reports for broader sharing.
How does Karl remember context in conversations? Karl maintains conversation history and builds on previous questions without resetting context. When you ask follow-up questions, the AI agent remembers your earlier queries and analysis patterns. This memory-enabled learning reduces repetitive setup time. You can continue conversations naturally without re-explaining metrics or business context each time.
What data sources can Karl access in Microsoft Fabric? Karl works with all data sources in your Microsoft Fabric lakehouses, including SQL databases, NoSQL systems, and cloud storage. It accesses structured and unstructured data, combining multiple data types in single analysis. No manual data preparation or integration required. Karl pulls together information from across your entire lakehouse ecosystem.
How quickly can teams get insights using Karl? Teams get AI-powered insights in seconds instead of waiting days for traditional reports. Karl eliminates the bottleneck of waiting for analysts to pull data. Business users receive instant answers with automatic visualizations during meetings, before calls, or while planning. This speed enables faster decision-making and reduces the time from question to action.
