Occupying center stage at Ignite 2023 was Microsoft Copilot, the company’s virtual assistant and umbrella brand for its AI capabilities. At the event, Microsoft introduced hybrid work capabilities infused with GenAI that touch multiple Microsoft 365 apps, offer diverse functionality, and are well positioned, according to research conducted by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Gregg Willsky, Principal Analyst at GlobalData, says: “The scope of the changes is particularly striking. Microsoft has taken the ‘permeate the platform’ approach recently adopted by competitors such as Cisco, Google, Zoom, and RingCentral.”

GlobalData analysis finds Microsoft has left no stone unturned, with Copilot features touching not only Teams (Microsoft’s team collaboration/hybrid work hub) but a diverse range of other Microsoft 365 products including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Loop, and Viva.

Willsky observes: “Microsoft is adopting features that are similar to competitors but is also going beyond the ‘tried and true’ with features that will separate it from the pack.”

The most compelling is Copilot Studio, a low-code tool that enables users to customize Copilot capabilities in Microsoft 365 apps (available in preview) and construct their own personalized copilots (available today). A central feature is the ability to connect with data sources, including pre-built or custom plugins and chatbots as well as a company’s proprietary sources. This level of tailoring is unparalleled among Microsoft’s rivals.

Willsky concludes: “Microsoft is carefully and wisely positioning Copilot, touting Copilot as an enabler of productivity, emphasizing Copilot’s security and privacy, and highlighting Copilot’s capacity for personalization. Microsoft promises more to come with a broader span of capabilities covering additional roles and tasks.”