Understanding Copilot Readiness for M365

The modern workplace is constantly evolving, and AI is helping employees to work more efficiently, have more time for creativity and to really adopt this new way of working as the key to delivering business innovation. Every organization is going to need an AI strategy – one that enables them to enjoy all the benefits it unlocks for individual productivity and creativity. And we know as IT leaders, you have a critical role to play. 

What is Microsoft Copilot? 

Microsoft Copilot is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool that is primarily meant to support Microsoft 365 users with automation features for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. It also works with the Bing search engine and Windows operating system (OS). A descendent of previous client-side efforts, including Clippy and Cortana — which it replaces — Copilot offers suggestions, automates tasks, and aims to make users more efficient and productive. 

Copilot is integrated into Microsoft 365 in two ways. It works alongside you, embedded in the Microsoft 365 apps you use every day — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more — to unleash creativity, unlock productivity, and uplevel skills.

Benefits of using Microsoft Copilot 

Because Copilot is designed to function as an assistant, the primary benefit of using Copilot is improved work-related productivity. 

It can boost productivity through the automation of repetitive tasks, such as writing repetitive emails and summarizing documents, freeing users up for more important work. In addition to productivity gains, Copilot can boost user creativity by suggesting new ideas, formats, and content based on context and preferences. It improves communication by ensuring emails are sent and streamlines the workflow of Microsoft 365 applications. 

Beyond productivity, Copilot can enhance the decision-making process through data analytics, financial analysis, market research and project planning. It can suggest the next step in a process based on context and past experience, reducing workload and fatigue. 

Copilot enables personalization by learning and adapting to the user’s writing style and preferences over time, providing increasingly relevant and personalized suggestions. It can also tailor content to specific audiences or purposes. 

Copilot Readiness from an Information Security Standpoint 

Simon Denton wrote a security readiness blog around launching Microsoft Copilot that outlines a 10-step process for piloting and deploying the AI product. IT Leaders play a critical role in this new era with AI, from deploying Copilot across the applications and services you build your business on – from Windows, Microsoft 365 to Teams, Edge, and more – to ensuring an end-user computing solution that is secure with the Microsoft Cloud. To get started your business needs to understand key actions to unlock the full potential of Copilot, including: 

• How to centralize your data in Microsoft 365 and improve data quality to enhance AI recommendations 
• Understand where your business has sensitive and overshared content in Microsoft 365 and implement robust security measures to secure it 
• Elevate your data management practices and implement and enforce governance controls to fuel sustainable AI success 

Data security is a top concern and potential downside associated with generative AI tools, according to a recent Deloitte study. While many may focus on defending against external threats, it may be internal threats you should be most concerned about; 60% of organizations that faced an AI security or privacy incident reported data compromise by an internal party. This is why data security and permission management go hand-in-hand when it comes to AI implementation. 

Don’t Let Bad Data Ruin Your AI Adoption

Generative AI algorithms rely on large amounts of data to learn and make accurate predictions, and the quality of its output depends on the quality of data it is trained on. If the data is decentralized, disorganized, or contains errors, the algorithms may produce inaccurate results, which can lead to poor decision-making and business outcomes. That’s why it’s essential to take the time to prepare your data before feeding it into an AI system like Copilot for Microsoft 365

How Choice Solutions Can Help 

At Choice Solutions we’re here to help you get ready for this transition to an AI-powered workforce with Microsoft Copilot. We can give your organization the ability to secure your data automatically in M365 and safely deploy Copilot without causing disruption. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

Choice Solutions is a designated Microsoft Solutions Partner for Modern Work and Infrastructure Azure. The Solutions Partner designation program is anchored to the Microsoft Cloud in six solution areas, aligning with Microsoft’s Solution strategy. Being part of the elite group that receives Solutions Partner benefits further showcases our prowess in delivering unmatched customer success in the solution areas championed by Microsoft.