Workforce Optimization with Microsoft Fabric’s Data Agent
Understand the latest tool in the Microsoft Fabric world: Data Agent. We’ll give a brief overview and real-world use case so you can see just how impactful this technology can be for any organization.
Making smart, timely decisions about your workforce shouldn’t be complicated. But for many leaders, getting answers to basic questions (like which teams are logging the most overtime or where resources are sitting idle) still means jumping between dashboards, waiting on reports, or relying on gut instinct.
That approach wastes time and often leads to decisions based on incomplete or outdated information.
Microsoft Fabric’s Data Agent simplifies this. Instead of digging through systems or writing SQL queries, you can simply ask your question in plain English and get an immediate answer based on live enterprise data.
Regardless if you’re trying to balance shift coverage, reduce unnecessary overtime, or spot patterns in how teams are staffed, the Data Agent gives you the clarity you need right when you need it.
It’s a faster, more direct way to make decisions that impact your people, your time, and your bottom line.
A Real-World Use Case: Workforce Optimization at Smartbridge
At Smartbridge, we’ve built a workforce optimization solution powered by Microsoft Fabric’s Data Agent. Through a conversational interface, users can ask natural-language questions and receive real-time insights about their staff utilization.
For example:
After a user submits a question, the agent intelligently queries the data source and returns actionable insights—highlighting which resources, on what days, and in which departments are under-utilized. This allows project managers to proactively rebalance shifts, ultimately reducing labor costs and improving utilization.
Transparency Builds Trust
One of the most compelling features of the Data Agent is its transparency. It not only delivers an answer, but it also shows exactly how it got there.
For example, users can review the auto-generated SQL query behind each answer, helping build trust in the process and results. This is critical because one of the biggest barriers to AI adoption is the fear that the model may be “making decisions in a black box.” By exposing its reasoning, the agent enables users to refine their questions, tweak the query logic, and ultimately get the answers they truly need.
A Smarter Agent That Learns and Adapts
The great thing about this tool is that it isn’t static. It can learn and improve over time. By supplying clear, contextual instructions, we help the agent:
Crafting effective prompts for a chatbot requires both technical expertise and hands-on experience with generative AI solutions. At Smartbridge, we specialize in developing pro-code GenAI applications and we understand how to engineer prompts that unlock the full potential of the technology.
We can also integrate example Q&As directly into the agent, embedding institutional knowledge from data analysts to guide future responses.
Key Benefits for Your Business
How Smartbridge Can Help
While this is a powerful tool, it requires thoughtful setup to perform at its best. Proper prompt engineering, data alignment, and agent configuration are essential to maximize the benefits.
At Smartbridge, we:
We also recognize that today, the Data Agent operates strictly within the Fabric environment, limiting integration with external systems. Smartbridge is actively exploring solutions to bridge this gap and deliver a more user-friendly and accessible UI across various platforms.
If an organization needs AI agents outside of a Fabric Environment but still needs to integrate with other Microsoft tools, Smartbridge also has experience building Pro-code and Low-code Agents by leveraging Azure OpenAI and Copilot studio. (Check out our case study>>)
Workforce decisions should be informed, not delayed. With Microsoft Fabric’s Data Agent, they can now be both.
Want to see it in action? Schedule a live demo or consultation with the Smartbridge team.
Keep Reading: Microsoft Fabric Brings Smarter Data Tools to Business
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