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Considering the launch of Copilot? Here are some tips to enhance your flight experience.
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AI has been praised for its revolutionary potential, but with it also comes unforeseen risks such as data integrity and IP oversharing. This might be the reason why organizations lacking expertise in AI are uncertain about starting.
However, embarking strategically by utilizing established solutions from top AI developers, like Copilot for Microsoft 365, along with the advice of a reliable IT partner, can be a smart way to begin. Before embarking, it’s wise to review this checklist first.
For whom is Copilot meant?
With Microsoft’s AI solution deeply integrated across their app ecosystem—Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.—one of the appealing aspects of Copilot is how seamlessly and securely it has been incorporated into the daily user experiences. The primary beneficiaries include organizations:
Seeking to harness AI in any form.
Whether it’s for trend analysis, improved decision-making, fostering creativity, or enhancing collaboration, the applications of AI are vast and essential for modern businesses. Like with the advent of PCs, email, and the internet, it makes business sense to adapt to new and transformative technologies as they emerge.
Already utilizing Microsoft 365 workloads.
Since Copilot isn’t able to access or interact with data external to 365 tenants out of the box, it becomes truly beneficial for organizations that have already transitioned their workloads to Microsoft 365.
Seeking to streamline operations.
One of Copilot’s key advantages is its proficiency in executing common, repetitive tasks more quickly and accurately than a human counterpart, making it ideal for organizations looking to optimize resources and reduce costs associated with cumbersome operations.
Who is eligible to operate Copilot?
Similar to private jet ownership, Copilot was initially introduced to a limited group. However, in early 2024, all restrictions were lifted, allowing any organization to purchase and assign Copilot licenses, either through Microsoft directly or an accredited service provider.
But keep in mind that these licenses are not standalone. Currently, Copilot is offered as an add-on, requiring an active Microsoft license such as:
Microsoft E3 & A3
- Microsoft 365 E3 (A3 for faculty)
- Office 365 E3 (A3 for faculty)
Microsoft E5 & A5
- Microsoft 365 E5 (A5 for faculty)
- Office E5 (A5 for faculty)
Microsoft Business
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Premium
If you hold one of these licenses, you likely have already noticed Copilot availability within most Office 365 applications.
And for applications outside of the Office 365 suite? They have their dedicated Copilot, such as Microsoft Copilot for Security, or Microsoft Fabric.
There is currently no limit on the number of licenses required to initiate Copilot. Though there is an initial cost (presently $44.90 per license per month) and a contract commitment for a year, it should provide ample time to trial Copilot affordably.
Ready for take-off
Microsoft has thoroughly considered how to activate Copilot. Nonetheless, ensuring its smooth integration within your organization relies on implementing some essential steps beforehand.
- Prepare information for ‘search readiness.’
A significant part of Copilot’s effectiveness lies in coordinating its Large Language Models, Microsoft Graph, and the Microsoft 365 apps. While a user’s overall Copilot access is managed by Entra ID, Microsoft Graph serves as the data gatekeeper, collaborating with Copilot’s Semantic Index for information retrieval during searches.
By design, Copilot only presents data that users have explicit, Graph-reviewed authorization to access. Hence, ensuring data is search-ready is critical. Whether your organization has robust access policies or ‘just-enough-access,’ users will only retrieve permitted data. Even if you’re not planning to adopt Copilot, ‘just-enough-access’ can bolster your organization’s overall data protection.
- Activate Copilot.
Within the Microsoft 365 admin center, you’ll find a straightforward set-up guide for Copilot to walk you through the prerequisites for maximizing the Copilot experience. These requirements include having the necessary enterprise apps, services, and licenses in place, and assigning available Copilot licenses.
- Allocate time for training. And collaboration.
The output correlates with the input. Crafting strong prompts (referred to as ‘prompt engineering’) enhances the likelihood of receiving more pertinent and accurate responses. Thorough user training is invaluable. As AI advances, Copilot will evolve as well, meaning all users can benefit from regular updates. Alongside training, establishing Centers of Excellence where users can exchange experiences and seek advice creates a cycle of adoption and enhancement.
AI is rapidly evolving, with Copilot being no exception. New features, naming conventions, and integrations are continuously being introduced. It’s beneficial to collaborate with a trusted, knowledgeable Microsoft Partner, like Brennan, to confirm you’re utilizing the correct version and integrating it effectively across your organization.
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