Navigating AI Integration By Richard Acreman Strategic steps for successful Copilot deployments As businesses increasingly integrate AI tools into their operations, Copilot for Microsoft 365 stands as a significant milestone in enterprise technology. However, its deployment in a large, global organization presents unique challenges. As part of the early adoption program for Copilot, our company Reply (www. reply.com/en) had the opportunity to experience this first-hand and, as a result, I look to share what I consider some essential steps for a successful rollout, focusing on technical readiness, user adoption, data governance and future extensibility. Before jumping into our experience, it’s important to understand exactly what Microsoft Copilot for 365 is and where it differs from other AI tools such as, for example, ChatGPT. While both are advanced AI tools, they serve different purposes and cater to distinct needs. Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a sophisticated productivity enhancer that integrates AI capabilities across various Microsoft applications – functioning similarly to ChatGPT but with a specialized focus on utilizing company-specific data. For example, Copilot is adept at creating tangible outputs such as documents, presentations and meeting notes, and is versatile enough to adapt to different applications, including Excel and PowerPoint. ChatGPT, on the other hand, is a more generalized conversational AI capable of a wide range of text generation tasks such as dialogues, creative writing and coding. So why would a company want to use Copilot? Perhaps the most obvious answer is that it represents an excellent tool for improved productivity – it is great at tasks such as drafting emails, creating presentations and analyzing data, leveraging the specific context and data of an organization’s Microsoft 365 environment to provide customized support for officerelated work. Understanding what Copilot can do for an organization is only a precursor and before getting started, companies should be sure they are fully prepared across these key areas. Technical Readiness: The Foundation Deploying Copilot for Microsoft 365 requires a solid technical foundation. At a minimum, prerequisites include: • Applications including Excel, Word and PowerPoint must be deployed organization-wide. • Essential services such as Entra ID and OneDrive must be enabled for all users. • Users should be on the current or monthly enterprise channel for M365 apps. • Compliance with M365 connectivity principles is crucial for optimal functionality. Data Governance: Securing the Core Incorporating Copilot for Microsoft 365 opens exciting opportunities for secure, compliant and responsible AI usage. Through robust data governance using SharePoint Advanced Management and Microsoft Purview, organizations can confidently protect sensitive data, ensure adherence to regulatory standards, and uphold data integrity. This proactive framework not only shields against unauthorized access and data breaches but also enhances the effectiveness of AI tools. They deliver precise, tailored and compliant services, thanks to features such as sensitivity labeling and data loss prevention. Embracing these governance tools is a powerful step in leveraging AI’s potential safely, making data governance a cornerstone of a successful and forwardthinking AI strategy with Copilot for Microsoft 365. 14 CHANNELVISION | MARCH - APRIL 2024 EMERGENT
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