Last week, Microsoft announced big news that its generative AI tool, Copilot for Microsoft 365 will be available to businesses of all sizes. This removes the barriers to access Copilot for Microsoft 365 and means it is available to nearly everyone. Our Head of Cloud, Marcus Bailey takes us through the changes and how to make sure your business is ready.
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant designed to help users work more productively, boost efficiency, and find new growth opportunities. It is integrated with Microsoft applications, leveraging advanced AI algorithms to provide personalised suggestions, recommendations, and insights to users as they navigate through their tasks.
The tool is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, even for individuals who may not have any technical expertise or experience with AI technologies. It acts as a supportive companion, providing real-time assistance and guidance as they work. Now as it passes it’s first birthday, Microsoft has announced that it will be making Copilot available for organisations of any scale.
Key points to note from the announcement are:
✅ No minimum seat count via the CSP channel.
✅ Microsoft 365 Copilot will only be available as an annual term offer paid upfront annually.
✅ Microsoft have also announced Copilot Pro priced at $20 per user per month.
✅ Microsoft have removed the Microsoft 365 prerequisite for Copilot—so now, Office 365 E3, E5 customers, Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Business Standard customers are eligible to purchase.
The real significance is that this is the next major step in the evolution of how we interact with the technology we use for work. It makes AI more accessible, unlocks a new wave of productivity growth, rids us of many repetitive tasks and allows us more freedom to be creative. Microsoft’s early adopter programme produced some really encouraging results that proved that this is the case.
- 70% of Copilot users said they were more productive and 68% said it improved the quality of their work.
- Overall users were 29% faster in a series of tasks involving searching, writing and summarising.
- Users were able to catch up on a missed meeting nearly 4 times faster.
- 64% of users said Copilot helps them spend less time processing email.
- 85% of users said Copilot helps them get to a good first draft faster.
- 75% of users said Copilot saves time finding their files.
- 77% of users said once they’d used Copilot they didn’t want to give it up.
The programme has shown how Copilot is shifting how people spend their time at work. They are able to focus on more important work, reducing administrative work and reinvesting this time in collaboration with colleagues. 30% of early adopters even said that access to Copilot would have influence on their choice of employer.
But is your business ready for it?
It may be tempting to get going but are you ready to integrate AI with your business? You need to make all the usual checks when considering new technology. Safeguarding your data and protecting your infrastructure remains paramount. You need to ensure your team is onboard with the change and prepare a robust roll out and adoption plan.
In a proactive step for our clients as a result of this announcement, Prosperity 24/7 are offering a new Copilot Readiness Assessment to help your business get prepared and unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365 Copilot. Our team of Microsoft-certified experts work with you to leverage the power of AI and realise the positive impacts to collaboration and productivity, while ensuring you are protected from unauthorised data leakage, inappropriate data access and other risks associated with this emerging technology.
The readiness assessment consists of the following modules that will empower your organisation to evaluate your Microsoft 365 readiness and adoption:
- Readiness Assessment – evaluate your current Microsoft estate and ensure the correct technical prerequisites are in place for Copilot.
- Workshop – understand the art of the possible and the power of Copilot for Microsoft365 in the context of your business, identifying challenges and opportunities.
- Build the Plan – develop a strategy and adoption plan for the smooth transition of Copilot into your organisation.
Find out more here or speak to Marcus Bailey
