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Data Mesh – Data Intelligence Platform on Azure

Architected and designed B. Braun’s company-wide Data Intelligence Platform based on Data Mesh principles, enabling decentralized data ownership, governance, and scalability for AI-driven insights.

1. November 2024
Established a secure and scalable data foundation for enterprise-wide AI and analytics initiatives
#Cloud #Data #Azure #Architecture #Governance #Security #AI #Analytics

Technologies Used

Azure
Databricks
Terraform
Azure DevOps
Python
PySpark
Unity Catalog
Policy
Defender
Key Vault
Monitor
Cost Manager
Synapse
Data Factory
ADLS
SQL
Event Hub
Purview
Delta Lake
Spark SQL

B. Braun Data Mesh – Data Intelligence Platform on Azure

Overview

At B. Braun, a global leader in medical technology and life sciences, I architected and supported the Data Intelligence Platform initiative — a company-wide system built on Data Mesh principles.
The goal was to enable decentralized data ownership across business domains while maintaining data governance, security, and transparency to support large-scale AI and analytics use cases.

The project included a Microsoft-sponsored Proof of Concept (PoC) that validated the proposed architecture, design patterns, and implementation approach for scalable data processing and governance on Microsoft Azure.


Role & Responsibilities

As Cloud Systems Architect, I designed the cloud and data architecture, led governance alignment, and ensured secure, compliant platform delivery.

  • Designed end-to-end cloud architecture across Data Intelligence Platform layers
  • Defined data security, governance, and management standards and policies
  • Designed Azure resource architectures with strong focus on networking, cost, and security
  • Supported Databricks PoC implementation with RAW, Silver, and Gold data layer design
  • Implemented Unity Catalog for metadata management, classification, and access control
  • Collaborated with Microsoft architects and business stakeholders to define requirements
  • Introduced Data Mesh principles to enable decentralized data ownership and scalability
  • Ensured full compliance with Microsoft cloud security and governance best practices

Applied Methods & Tools

  • Project Methodology: Agile / Scrum for iterative planning and delivery
  • Architecture Modeling: Diagrams and documentation for data flow and security models
  • DevOps & Automation: Azure DevOps for repositories, pipelines, and backlog tracking
  • Data Mesh Principles: Promoted domain-based data ownership and self-service capabilities
  • Data Engineering Practices: Databricks workflows with orchestration, Delta Lake, and pipelines
  • Governance Framework: Defined standards across all layers of the data platform
  • Collaboration: Close coordination with Microsoft and internal stakeholders for technical validation

Applied Technologies

  • Azure Governance & Security: Policy, Defender, Key Vault, Monitor, Cost Manager
  • Azure Data Services: Synapse, Data Factory, ADLS, SQL, Event Hub, Purview
  • Databricks: Runtime 12.x, Unity Catalog, Delta Lake, Spark SQL
  • Programming & Data Pipelines: Python, PySpark for scalable data transformations
  • Infrastructure & DevOps: Terraform for Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Azure DevOps for CI/CD and automation
  • xOps Practices: Integration of DevOps, DataOps, and FinOps methodologies

Impact

  • Delivered a validated architecture for B. Braun’s enterprise-wide Data Intelligence Platform
  • Enabled decentralized data management and domain ownership through Data Mesh principles
  • Established a secure and compliant data governance model aligned with Azure best practices
  • Created a foundation for AI and machine learning workloads across departments
  • Strengthened collaboration between business and technical teams, accelerating innovation

Summary

The B. Braun Data Mesh – Data Intelligence Platform represents a major step toward a modern, federated data architecture at enterprise scale.
By combining Azure’s cloud capabilities, Databricks analytics, and Data Mesh principles, the platform empowers B. Braun to manage data as a strategic asset, supporting AI-driven innovation and intelligent healthcare solutions.