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Microsoft 365 Copilot is poised to revolutionize how organizations work, offering unparalleled opportunities for managed service providers (MSPs) and Microsoft partners. Michal Pisarek, CEO of Orchestry, shares his insights on how MSPs can help their customers prepare for Copilot, the new services they can offer, and strategies for driving Copilot adoption.
Here’s a comprehensive guide based on Michal’s expert advice.
The first step in preparing for Microsoft 365 Copilot is ensuring robust security measures are in place. MSPs must implement foundational security policies using tools like Microsoft Defender and Purview. These security frameworks protect sensitive data and create a secure environment for deploying AI-powered solutions like Copilot.
Michal: The first thing is obviously from a security perspective, making sure that your customers have those default base level security policies implemented, whether that's through Microsoft Defender, whether that's through some of the capabilities of, let's say, Purview, or just a general base level security stuff that you're going to offer.
Quality content is crucial for a successful Copilot implementation. MSPs should guide their customers in organizing and cleaning up their content. Poor content quality can severely impact the effectiveness of Copilot, making it essential to have well-structured and relevant data.
Michal: If you're an MSP, on the content side, think about things like governance and Microsoft Purview. Help your customers understand that their Copilot and AI experience is going to be really terrible if their content is really terrible.
Training is the third pillar of preparing for Copilot. MSPs should offer extensive training sessions to help users understand how to use Copilot effectively, including how to prompt correctly. This training not only enhances user experience but also positions MSPs as invaluable partners in their clients’ digital transformation journeys.
Michal: By teaching your users how to use Copilot and how to prompt correctly, you're going to get much better results.
Implementing Copilot is not a one-time project but an ongoing journey. Learn more about Copilot readiness, the requirements, strategies and more in our helpful guide!
Michal: Copilot implementation is a journey, not a one-time project. It involves ongoing engagements or mini-projects to fully leverage Copilot within an organization. I advise MSPs to offer recurring services, such as Copilot adoption practices, to ensure continuous engagement and optimization.
Copilot is influenced by the quality of the data, which impacts how useful it is. Outdated data will bring outdated results.
Michal: The effectiveness of Copilot is directly tied to the quality of the organization's data. MSPs should advise customers to organize and clean up their content to ensure a better Copilot experience.
Copilot licenses are flexible and can be added on top of existing Microsoft 365 subscriptions for Business Stardard and Business Premium customers. Organizations no longer need to purchase 300 licenses to start. That doesn't mean you should give everyone a license at the same time. Roll it out slowly and test niche groups for a more focused and cost-effective implementation.
Michal: I recommend starting with a smaller subset of users to target specific use cases and rolling it out over time.
To foster long-term adoption, get a smaller user group to utilize and become comfortable with Copilot. Then roll it out to a larger user group. This grassroots approach can significantly enhance user buy-in and satisfaction!
Michal: Get a small subset of users to fall in love with Copilot and let them evangelize its benefits within the organization. This approach ensures better long-term adoption.
Copilot opens up a myriad of new service opportunities for MSPs. From governance to security, training, and envisioning, MSPs can offer comprehensive services to help customers leverage Copilot to its full potential. These services not only add value but also differentiate MSPs in a competitive market.
Michal: There's multiple different ways to help your customers around their Microsoft Copilot and AI journey. It could be around governance, security, training, or envisioning, helping them understand the tangible business benefits that Copilot can provide.
Copilot can fundamentally change how organizations work, but they need guidance throughout the process. MSPs can drive significant additional value to customers by becoming proactive in their approach to AI and technology. Investing in Copilot themselves and understanding its intricacies will position MSPs as trusted advisors!
Michal: I firmly believe that from the MSP space, there's so much potential for you as an MSP to get additional services and drive additional value from your customers with Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Microsoft 365 Copilot presents a transformative opportunity for MSPs and Microsoft partners.
By focusing on security, content quality, and comprehensive training, MSPs can prepare their customers for a successful Copilot implementation. Moreover, by expanding service offerings and adopting strategic approaches to licensing and adoption, MSPs can drive additional value and differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
As Michal puts it, the potential for MSPs to harness the power of Copilot is immense, and those who invest in understanding and leveraging this technology will undoubtedly lead the way in the digital transformation era.
For more MSP, Microsoft 365, SharePoint Online, and Teams insights, tips and tricks, best practices, and exclusive events delivered straight to your inbox. Join our mailing list today and level up your Microsoft 365 game!