Data foundations,
AI outcomes.
Whether you’re getting control of your data or exploring your first artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, we make sure the foundations are solid. We help ensure your AI projects deliver results you can trust at scale, and without the false starts.
Overview
Artificial intelligence starts and fails with data.
Thinking about an AI initiative? In most cases, the work starts with data.
Without structure, trust and control, data cannot scale. And without scalable, governed data, AI programs struggle to move beyond experimentation.
- Data is spread across too many platforms.
- Reports are inconsistent and hard to trust.
- Security and compliance controls vary by system.
- Costs increase as teams patch together short-term solutions.
Whether you’re starting a data modernisation program, preparing for an AI pilot, or deploying Microsoft Fabric, we help simplify your environment, strengthen governance, and put the right foundations in place for AI readiness.
Solutions
Simplified data, better outcomes.
Discover everything you need to turn your data into real operational value.
Fast track AI readiness
We simplify, secure and structure your data so AI can move from pilot to production.
Managed Fabric
We take care of the heavy lifting so your team can start using Microsoft Fabric without the false starts.
Insights report
AI outcomes delivered.
AI adoption is accelerating, but success isn’t keeping up. Across Australia, 76% of leaders admit their data isn’t AI-ready, leaving most projects stuck in pilot mode. The problem isn’t the technology, it’s the foundations: trusted data, governance and a culture ready to act.
In this report, we share what we’ve learned first-hand from deploying AI across our own business and with our customers on what works, what doesn’t, and how to close the gap between ambition and real outcomes.
In this report, you’ll learn:
- Why most generative AI pilots fail – and the two foundations shared by every success story.
- How to build AI outcomes on trusted data, strong governance and a culture ready to act.
- How we’re using AI across our own operations to cut response times, uncover insights and scale securely.
AI won’t wait, and neither should you. The organisations that are pulling ahead aren’t waiting for perfect data. They’re starting with what they’ve got, learning fast, and building from there.
The difference we make
Making AI outcomes possible.
Discover everything you need to turn your data into real operational value.
Simple management
Reduce the overhead of managing fragmented data platforms with built-in governance and automation.
Cost control that works
Track usage, avoid duplication and keep data projects on budget – even as needs grow.
Faster time to value
Accelerate project delivery with expert support across platform configuration, monitoring and scale.
Built-in security
Protect sensitive data and stay compliant with preconfigured controls and local support.
Fabric-ready foundations
Make the most of Microsoft Fabric with guidance, setup and day-two operations support already sorted.
Expert support, always on
Get help when you need it from local engineers who understand your environment.
Common use cases
Where data makes a difference.
Find out how our Data and AI team make a difference in the real world.
AI readiness projects
Prepare your environment for AI by getting your data house in order – securely, consistently and at the right scale. Ask about our own AI pilot projects.
Data platform consolidation
Cut costs and reduce complexity by bringing scattered data environments into a single governed platform.
Sensitive & Compliance Workloads
Support sovereignty, compliance and control with private cloud environments designed for high-trust use cases.
Sensitive & Compliance Workloads
For organizations with strict data sovereignty, regulatory compliance, or security requirements, Macquarie Flex provides a private cloud environment with the same Azure services and management experience.
You’re in good company.
Why Macquarie Cloud Services
The data and AI partner Australian organisations trust.
Why Australia’s leading organisations rely on Macquarie Cloud Services to bring structure, scale and security to their data environments and AI projects.A trusted managed XDR service provider delivering expert support, strong intelligence and rapid response.
Proven expertise
As Australia’s leading Azure Expert MSP, we combine deep cloud experience with practical data insight.
Strategic partnerships
Our ecosystem includes Microsoft, Dell and a broader network of trusted partners – so your project has visibility and traction.
Australian support excellence
Our local NPS score of +96 reflects hands-on support that understands the realities of Australian business.
Security & compliance focus
From ISO 27001 to PROTECTED certification, we meet the highest standards for sensitive and regulated workloads.
Our Data & AI insights
Discover our Data & AI news and insights.
Not sure what you need next?
Talk to us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Contact us
Ready to get more from your data?
Speak to a Data and AI specialist about your current environment and your plans for what’s next.
- 1800 004 943
- Level 15, 2 Market Street Sydney, NSW, Australia
Data & AI FAQs
What is a managed data platform and why would I need one?
A managed data platform is a secure, structured environment that brings all your data together so it can be trusted and used at scale. Instead of juggling multiple systems or worrying about governance, we take care of the heavy lifting — from setup and monitoring to security and day-to-day operations. With Macquarie Cloud Services managing the platform, your team can focus on using data to drive insights and AI outcomes, not fixing the plumbing.
What’s the difference between data analytics, machine learning and AI?
Data analytics focuses on understanding the past and present by turning raw data into reports and insights. Machine learning is about teaching systems to recognise patterns in data and improve their predictions over time. AI goes a step further by using those patterns to make decisions, automate processes or generate new outputs. At Macquarie Cloud Services, we help you bring all three together on a foundation you can trust.
Do I need a dedicated data platform before starting an AI project?
You don’t always need a full data platform to start, but the more organised your data is, the better your AI results will be. Many organisations begin with what they have, then quickly run into issues with scale, trust or governance. A managed data platform gives you a strong foundation so AI projects deliver accurate outcomes and can grow without costly rework.
How do I prepare my organisation’s data for AI and Microsoft Copilot?
Preparing for AI and Copilot starts with ensuring your data is accurate, secure and accessible to the right people. This means setting up governance, removing duplicates and connecting key systems so insights flow smoothly. With those foundations in place, Copilot can draw on reliable data to provide accurate recommendations, summaries and answers. Our team helps you put those controls in place quickly, without slowing down adoption.
How does Macquarie Cloud Services support data modernisation projects?
We help organisations move from fragmented, outdated systems to modern, cloud-ready platforms. Our team simplifies architectures, applies governance and security, and sets up environments designed for scale. That means less manual work, more reliable reporting and a clear path to AI readiness.
What security and compliance features come with your managed services?
Our managed platforms include built-in security controls, monitoring and compliance measures aligned with Australian regulations. From ISO 27001 through to PROTECTED certification, we meet the highest standards for sensitive and regulated workloads. Combined with local, always-on support, you can be confident your data and AI projects are protected.
How does Microsoft Fabric work, and what can it do for my business?
Microsoft Fabric is an all-in-one analytics platform that connects data across your business and makes it easier to use for reporting, dashboards and AI. It replaces the patchwork of separate tools with a single, integrated environment that’s faster to run and easier to manage. Our team helps you get Fabric up and running quickly, with governance and security built in from day one, so you can start seeing value straight away.
What is a data and AI strategy, and why is it important for my organisation?
A data and AI strategy sets out how your business will use data to deliver real outcomes with AI. It covers the foundations — governance, security and platforms — as well as the priorities, use cases and measures of success. Without a clear strategy, AI projects risk stalling or delivering results you can’t scale. We work with organisations to design strategies that are practical, outcomes-focused and ready to grow.
What’s the best way to bring data together from multiple systems for AI?
The key is to centralise and simplify — moving away from scattered spreadsheets or siloed apps into a single, managed platform. This reduces duplication, improves security and makes it easier to apply AI across the whole business. At Macquarie Cloud Services, we use Microsoft Fabric and our Managed Data Platform to unify data sources so your AI has a consistent, trusted base to work from.
How can Macquarie Cloud Services help my business adopt AI responsibly?
Responsible AI starts with trusted data and strong governance. We build environments where security, compliance and transparency are built in from the ground up, so AI outcomes are reliable and auditable. By combining technical expertise with a local support model, we help your business innovate with AI while protecting sensitive information and maintaining trust.
How much does a data and AI solution cost, and what’s included?
Costs vary depending on the size of your environment and the outcomes you want to achieve. What sets us apart is transparency — you get clear pricing, no hidden extras and a service that scales with your needs. By getting the data foundations right, we also help avoid the false starts and rework that often make AI projects more expensive than they should be.
How can I tell if my business is ready for AI?
Signs of AI readiness include having data that is easy to access, well governed, and trusted across the business. If reports are unreliable, data is scattered across systems, or compliance is a concern, those gaps need to be addressed first. We help organisations assess their current state and build a roadmap so AI projects start on the right footing.
From our experts
Explore our insights.
Insights to help you strengthen protection, simplify security operations and respond faster to emerging cyber threats across your environment.
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December 19, 2025
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December 15, 2025
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December 11, 2025