Microsoft Purview delivers powerful data governance capabilities, but operationalizing it across a large enterprise is often more complex than anticipated: (1) Inconsistent labeling across regions and business units, (2) limited reporting on policy enforcement and data classification and (3) difficulty in tracking operational issues (for example high false-positive rates) and responding to them in a timely manner are just some of the challenges enterprises may face when rolling out Purview. In this post, we explore the practical challenges organizations face when deploying Purview at scale—and how Infotechtion’s i-ARM Data Discovery and Security capabilities help bridge the gap between promise and performance.
The Operational Reality of Microsoft Purview
Back in November 2024, Microsoft Purview was offered center stage by Satya Nadella during Microsoft Ignite. As Nadella stated: “Purview is probably the product for this conference because, in the age of AI, data governance takes on an even more critical central role.” (Microsoft, 2024). The emphasis on the ever-growing importance of data governance has surged Purview to prominence and its relevancy continues to grow. While Purview delivers many excellent features to govern data, for many organizations, the journey from deployment to operational maturity can be riddled with obstacles and it becomes difficult to operationalize. Moreover, while the Purview platform provides robust tools for labeling, retention and policy enforcement, the real challenge lies in making these tools work consistently across diverse environments, data sources, and user groups.
Imagine the following scenario: A multinational organization with dozens of business units, each maintaining its own legacy data systems, cloud services, and regional regulatory requirements. As Microsoft Purview is rolled out, IT teams grapple with integrating disparate data sources—some in modern cloud platforms, others still on-premises or even in outdates formats—while trying to enforce consistent labeling and retention policies enterprise-wide. Language barriers, varied data privacy laws, and decentralized governance models further complicate policy application and oversight.
Amid this complexity, monitoring whether Purview’s controls are functioning as intended becomes a challenge, with gaps in visibility and reporting threatening both compliance and the organization’s trust in its data governance framework. How do you know it’s working as intended? Are labels being applied correctly? Are policies being enforced? Are all file formats compatible with sensitivity labels? Are sensitive data assets being discovered and protected in real time? These questions are not trivial—and without clear answers, organizations risk falling short of their compliance and governance goals.
Lessons from Global Deployments
Infotechtion has supported multiple global enterprises in operationalizing Microsoft Purview across its sprawling digital landscape. The scale and complexity of the deployment offer valuable insights.
The rollouts revealed several difficulties in efficient implementation of Purview:
- Inconsistent labeling across regions and business units.
- Limited reporting and visibility on policy enforcement and data classification.
- Difficulty in tracking operational issues and responding to them in a timely manner.
- Creating customized policies, sensitive information types and trainable classifiers require extensive Purview experience and knowledge.
These challenges are not unique – and they are far from exhaustive. They reflect the broader reality of deploying Purview in real environments where data is distributed, governance models are federated, and operational oversight is fragmented. So, how can Purview be implemented in an efficient and practical manner?
Consulting Experts
Infotechtion’s deep expertise in deploying Microsoft Purview is shaped by years of hands-on experience and close strategic partnership with Microsoft itself. Our consultants guide organizations through the entire lifecycle—from aligning Purview with business objectives and conducting thorough technical discovery, to implementation, nuanced fine-tuning, and comprehensive end-user training. This holistic approach ensures not only technical success but also stakeholder buy-in across regions and business units. Infotechtion’s reputation as a trusted Microsoft partner is reinforced by regular engagement with Microsoft’s own Purview technicians, keynote presentations at international summits, and a wealth of customer testimonials attesting to our diligence and results. Our team members hold MVP status and an array of Purview certifications, reflecting a mastery that goes far beyond surface-level deployment. We understand that Purview is not simply a tool—it’s a domain requiring specialized knowledge and continuous adaptation, and we’re committed to guiding clients through every facet of this journey.
To further empower organizations, Infotechtion has developed a proprietary SaaS solution that seamlessly extends Purview’s native capabilities. This innovative platform not only closes critical gaps in operational oversight but also transforms governance from a static process into a dynamic force for continuous improvement.
Closing the Loop with i-ARM
This is where Infotechtion’s i-ARM reporting capabilities come into play. Designed to complement Microsoft Purview, i-ARM acts as an audit layer that provides actionable insights into how Purview is performing in the real world.
With i-ARM, organizations can:
- Track the application of labels and policies across their environment.
- Generate audit reports that highlight gaps, inconsistencies, and risks.
- Respond to operational issues with targeted remediation strategies.
- I-ARM provides drilldown filters to extract detailed information for specific countries, file formats, label counts and much more.
In essence, i-ARM closes the loop between policy and practice. It transforms Purview from a static governance tool into a dynamic operational system—one that can be monitored, measured, and improved continuously.
Why This Matters
Data governance is no longer a back-office function. It’s a strategic capability that underpins trust, compliance, and digital transformation. Effective data governance plays also plays an invaluable role in the face of AI advancement. As organizations embrace platforms like Microsoft Purview, they must also invest in the operational infrastructure that makes governance operational and effective.
Infotechtion’s approach—combining deep expertise with purpose-built tools like i-ARM—ensures that data governance is not just deployed, but operationalized. It’s the difference between having a policy and knowing it’s being followed.
Contact Infotechtion to learn more
If you want to learn more about how Infotechtion can help your organization improve its information governance and compliance posture, please contact us today at contact@infotechtion.com. Our team of experts is ready to help you navigate the complex landscape of data protection and regulatory compliance.
