Microsoft Copilot 101 for Business Leaders

In this week’s episode of Exchanges — a podcast by Hitachi Solutions, host Brad Koontz talks with Copilot and low-code experts Adam Piercy and Joe (FlowJoe!) Unwin. If communicating with your people about Copilot and its capabilities is a conundrum, then this episode is for you!

Discussion Points:

1. Overview of Copilot:
   • Introduced as a versatile assistant across Microsoft 365 workspace.
   • Embedded in daily apps to enhance productivity and provide assistance in real-time.
   • Not all users are aware of how to utilize it effectively.
2. Copilot Functionality:
   • For general use: Supercharges productivity in Teams, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
   • For business applications (e.g., Dynamics 365): Optimizes sales processes, helps manage tasks, creates summaries, drafts emails, etc.
3. Understanding Copilot Variants:
   • M365 Copilot is the broad AI assistant.
   • Copilot for Sales focuses on the sales process within Dynamics 365 and helps with managing opportunities, leads, and meetings.
4. Availability and Pricing:
   • $30 per user/month as a separate SKU.
   • Accessible to all commercial customers on various M365 plans.
   • Additional AI capabilities available for some Dynamics 365 users without the comprehensive package.
5. Extension of Copilot:
   • Customization and extensions can be done via Copilot Studio, even for non-Microsoft applications through an API.
   • Custom copilots can be created for specific business needs.
6. Copilot Studio:
   • Builds on the previous Power Virtual Agent technology.
   • Allows for custom conversational plugins and connects Copilot to third-party systems through an automation studio.
   • Enhanced with generative AI capacity.
7. Future of CRM and AI:
   • Discussion on the direction of CRM becoming invisible within user workflows.
   • Emphasis on productivity and user adoption through seamless integration with Copilot.

Action Items for Business Leaders:

1. Understanding Extension Capabilities:
   • Task: Assess how Copilot extensions can improve productivity within their respective organizations.
2. Evaluating Custom Copilot Needs:
   • Task: Consider if a custom Copilot could benefit their current customer service model and begin strategizing the implementation.
3. Exploring Copilot Studio:
   • Task: Dive into Copilot Studio’s offerings to understand how it can be utilized to enhance user experience with generative AI.
4. Educating Teams on Copilot Use:
   • Task: Share knowledge and arrange training, if necessary, on Copilot’s features and how they can be leveraged for better efficiency.
5. Subscription Evaluation:
   • Task: Assess current subscriptions and additional costs to evaluate the financial impact of leveraging full Copilot capabilities.