2023 was a year full of technological innovations with Microsoft paving the way for a new era of accessibility with the integration of generative artificial intelligence. They introduced the revolutionary Copilot feature in Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 to empower users by freeing up their time from routine tasks and allowing them to focus on high-value tasks.  

When it comes to venturing into the realm of generative AI, it’s important to have a well-thought-out strategy to make the most of its potential and investment returns. This is where TMC comes in as a reliable and helpful advisor, offering businesses a roadmap to effectively harness the power of Microsoft AI Copilot. 

4 Key Steps to Ensure a Seamless Copilot Integration

Elevating Content Management for a Modern Workspace

With Copilot Microsoft emerging as a catalyst for transforming content management strategies, TMC recommends modernizing document repositories to leverage this innovation. Whether through a shift to Microsoft SharePoint, integrating with Microsoft Teams for collaborative content creation, leveraging Azure Cognitive Services for advanced AI, optimizing storage with OneDrive for business or automating workflows through Power Automate – this will not only streamline Copilot’s integration with Microsoft 365 apps but optimizes the overall employee experience.

Strategic Information Architecture and Data Governance:  

Microsoft 365 Copilot streamlines work by leveraging large language models that interact with organizational data through Microsoft Graph. This personalized experience reduces steps to access information quickly, benefiting businesses. Microsoft Copilot 365 can assist in catching up on missed content in Teams or generate new documents in Word. The system’s orchestration engine, working with Microsoft Graph and the Semantic Index, ensures informed responses aligned with user permissions. TMC recommends businesses to prepare for Copilot by optimizing information access controls, policies, and implementing automated controls to prevent oversharing. Achieving “just enough access” ensures users find relevant information while respecting privacy and security, addressing the common challenge of information access. Watch the demo here.
 

Institutionalizing AI Governance for Optimal Performance:  

It’s no surprise that having AI governance is critical, given the widespread adoption of AI, including Copilot, among the general public. Consider forming an AI team to guide you in formulating policies that align with your corporate goals. A Microsoft partner like TMC can evaluate use cases based on your business fit, ethics, security, and priority of investment, ensuring a seamless integration of Copilot that caters to diverse employee needs. In preparation for your Copilot/AI deployment, it’s essential to establish a robust AI governance framework that addresses ethical considerations, compliance, transparency, accountability, security, fairness, and ongoing monitoring and auditing. This proactive approach will not only ensure responsible AI use but also foster trust among users and stakeholders. 

Facilitating Organizational Change Management for AI Adoption

Driving technology adoption requires a proactive approach, and TMC encourages organizations to leverage early adopters who are highly engaged and willing to invest time and effort in this initiative, educational sessions, and community spaces. By creating awareness campaigns and sharing best practices with this new integration, organizations can ensure a smooth Copilot adoption process.  

Understanding Copilot Licensing 

TMC emphasizes the importance of selecting the appropriate license for your organization based on individual roles and workloads. For instance, if you’re a controller seeking Copilot for your ERP system, Business Central includes Copilot with your purchase. Similarly, if you’re in sales and require Copilot assistance in your CRM, Dynamics 365 CRM already includes Copilot. Additionally, for users with Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, a separate Copilot license is necessary to access the feature in Teams, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and other Microsoft 365 apps. To determine the most suitable license for your Copilot deployment, consider consulting with TMC to align your organizational needs with the available licensing options. 

In conclusion, the integration of Microsoft’s AI technology into the workspace offers organizations a myriad of opportunities to enhance efficiency and productivity. With TMC as a guiding force, businesses can navigate the evolving landscape of AI, creating a dynamic and empowered environment for their teams to thrive.