SEATTLE, Nov 1, 2023

Avanade, the leading Microsoft solutions provider, today launches six Microsoft 365 Copilot services designed as a structured and adaptable framework to guide organizations through their AI integration journey, from readiness to end-to-end transformation, and complete integration of Microsoft 365 Copilot.

The creation of these services follows Avanade's extensive testing of Microsoft 365 Copilot, which began in February 2023 and resulted in its own employees saving of up to two hours per day within six weeks of using the tool. Avanade is one of a small number of companies selected by Microsoft to be part of its private preview and Early Access Programme for Microsoft 365 Copilot and is among the first to start rolling it out to clients.

“The successful adoption of AI is fast becoming a key competitive differentiator in today’s business landscape. It presents a major growth opportunity for organizations across the globe. Those who do not act now will risk missing out on its transformative potential and will most definitely fall behind,” warns Veit Siegenheim, Avanade’s Global Future of Work Business Lead. “Equipping employees with the right tools and training through Microsoft 365 Copilot, will significantly reduce the time it takes to realise the value and turn content to knowledge and create actionable insights.”

Avanade’s recent AI-Readiness Report indicates widespread optimism around AI and its impact, with 79 percent of employees anticipating that generative AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot, will impact up to 20 hours of their work week. However, the report also suggests that organizations may be overlooking how to protect their people when adopting AI responsibly and effectively. About half (49 percent) of employees do not have the utmost confidence that their organization’s risk management processes are adequate for an enterprise-wide technical integration of generative AI and only 48 percent of organizations have established comprehensive guidelines and policies for responsible AI.

With preparation critical to the successful integration of AI into organizations, Avanade’s services are designed to help business leaders both understand the benefits Microsoft 365 Copilot can bring, and guide them on their transformation journey, from readiness to a seamless rollout. They include:

• Microsoft 365 Copilot Assessment:
  Avanade's readiness assessment prepares clients for Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption, delivering a governance framework for optimizing workplace technology and harnessing the power of generative AI.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Value Framework:
  Helps organizations align their business objectives with Microsoft 365 Copilot's capabilities. Over a four-week program, Avanade helps clients define key drivers and objectives, prioritize new work methods and create a value framework with metrics to track progress.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Information Management Accelerator:
  Unlock Microsoft 365 Copilot's potential. In four weeks, experts assess data governance, identify risks and recommend governance models. Avanade helps set up security measures, connectors, and information architecture, maximizing data discovery and management with Copilot.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Change Enablement Accelerator:
  Going beyond technology, this service ensures workforce is ready to embrace AI. Avanade's people-focused approach covers every stage, from Proof of Value to full implementation, empowering employees to adopt new ways of working.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Transformation:
  A comprehensive solution, this service aligns organizations with Copilot's potential. It covers people readiness, business engagement, and platform readiness, preparing organizations for the future of work in line with Copilot's capabilities.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Extensibility Accelerator:
  Empowers organizations to create and deploy custom extensions for Microsoft 365 Copilot. The program includes a learning and exploration session, ideation workshop, and a development phase to deliver tailored connectors and plugins to enhance Copilot's functionality.

“Microsoft 365 Copilot marks a significant leap forward in the world of AI transformation, enabling companies to seize new opportunities, enhance productivity and lead the way in their industries. Avanade's comprehensive Microsoft 365 Copilot services empower organizations to embark on this transformative journey in a safe, secure and responsible way, ensuring they harness the full potential of generative AI, protect their people, and drive innovation in the modern workplace,” says Siegenheim.

Avanade has already engaged with over 70 clients to help them explore the value of Microsoft 365 Copilot and is now actively working with over a dozen clients, on rolling it out. As Siegenheim notes: "During our early access, we've witnessed how advances like Copilot will reshape the future of work. The feedback on Copilot in Teams has been remarkable, with its ability to ask questions during meetings and provide invaluable action items and meeting summaries. We're thrilled about how this technology will revolutionize the future of our workplaces."

Visit here to learn more about Avanade's Microsoft 365 Copilot services.