Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way businesses work, and Microsoft Copilot is bringing AI directly into the tools many employees already use every day.
From Outlook and Teams to Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Copilot can help employees find information, summarise meetings, analyse content and create first drafts considerably faster.
But successfully introducing Copilot involves more than simply purchasing licences and switching it on.
Before rolling it out across your organisation, there are several things worth considering.
What Is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant for the workplace.
Depending on your Microsoft 365 plan and Copilot licence, it can help employees with tasks such as:
- Summarising emails and conversations
- Drafting documents
- Creating presentations
- Analysing spreadsheets
- Summarising Teams meetings
- Finding information across Microsoft 365
- Generating ideas and first drafts
- Helping employees catch up on projects
Microsoft also provides Copilot Chat to eligible Microsoft 365 business users, giving organisations an accessible way to begin exploring AI within their Microsoft environment.
Why Preparation Matters
Copilot can work with information an employee already has permission to access.
That makes existing Microsoft 365 permissions particularly important.
Imagine an employee can currently access an old SharePoint folder containing information they probably shouldn’t see.
Without Copilot, they might never know that folder exists.
AI makes finding information considerably easier, so poor permissions that have accumulated over several years can become much more noticeable.
Before a wider rollout, organisations should review how information is currently stored and shared.
Review Your Microsoft 365 Environment
Consider reviewing:
- SharePoint permissions
- Teams memberships
- Shared folders
- OneDrive sharing
- Former employee accounts
- Guest users
- Sensitive documents
- Microsoft 365 security settings
The aim is not to make information difficult to access. It is to make sure the right people have access to the right information.
Start With the Right Employees
Not every employee necessarily needs Copilot immediately.
A small pilot group can be a good place to start.
Consider employees who spend significant time:
- Working with emails
- Producing reports
- Creating documents
- Attending meetings
- Analysing information
- Preparing presentations
- Carrying out research
Testing Copilot with a smaller group allows your business to identify useful applications before committing to a wider rollout.
Training Makes a Big Difference
Copilot’s results are influenced by the instructions it receives.
Compare:
“Write me an email.”
with:
“Write a concise, friendly email to a customer summarising these three project delays and proposing a meeting next Tuesday.”
Employees who understand how to give Copilot clear context, objectives and instructions are likely to get far more value from it.
Training should also explain what information employees should and shouldn’t enter into AI systems.
Think About Your Data
Copilot is only as useful as the information available to it.
If company files are scattered across employees’ desktops, personal folders and poorly organised SharePoint sites, AI cannot magically fix the underlying information management problem.
A Copilot project can therefore be a useful opportunity to review how your organisation stores and manages information.
How Sitesi Can Help
Sitesi can help organisations prepare for and introduce Microsoft Copilot as part of their wider Microsoft 365 environment.
We can assist with:
- Microsoft 365 licensing
- Copilot licensing
- Microsoft 365 reviews
- User and permission management
- SharePoint and OneDrive
- Microsoft Teams
- Security configuration
- Copilot rollout planning
- User support
- Managed IT services
Rather than simply adding another licence, we can help ensure Copilot fits properly into the way your organisation works.
Is Your Organisation Ready for AI?
Microsoft Copilot has the potential to save employees time and make everyday Microsoft 365 tasks easier.
The businesses that get the most value from it, however, will be those that approach AI with good data, sensible permissions and clear objectives.
Thinking about introducing Microsoft Copilot? Speak to Sitesi about your Microsoft 365 environment and how your organisation can get ready for AI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant that can help users create content, find information, summarise communications and complete tasks within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Not necessarily. Many organisations benefit from initially licensing employees whose roles are most likely to gain value from AI.
Yes. Sitesi can help with Microsoft 365 and Copilot licensing, setup and ongoing support.