Regardless of the industry that you serve or the type of work that you do, every business could benefit from increased productivity. Tiny little changes that utilize technology in a very innovative and intelligent way can effectively allow even small to mid-size businesses to work smarter, providing more time for growth, expansion, and increased customer services. Artificial Intelligence, or AI as it is simply known in the tech industry, is being used in a number of unique ways to enhance business and streamline everyday activities in the workplace. Microsoft Co-Pilot is a well-designed and established AI-based tool that can be used to solve even the most complex work problems. Integrated into the Microsoft 365 Apps, it is currently used by millions of people every day across popular programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, and much more.
What is Microsoft Co-Pilot and What Does It Do?
In the simplest of terms, Microsoft Co-Pilot is your AI assistant at work. It goes above and beyond what many thought could be accomplished with AI and includes all the bells and whistles necessary to facilitate effective usage throughout your organization. Enterprise-grade security, compliance, privacy, and responsibly designed AI tools are provided to ensure that safe, secure, and productive data processing occurs how, when, and where you need it. Studies show that some of the earliest adopters of Co-Pilot have already experienced significant creativity and productivity gains across the board.
Some of the tools that are most popular among IT administrators include the ability to manage and control user access through a variety of classifications and by establishing specific terms of use for each group. It has been used by small businesses to augment their limited staffing abilities and allow them to grow beyond their expectations. It has been extremely beneficial in education, providing the means for school districts, universities, and other learning institutions to offer access to a wide range of students to further access to educational materials and resources. AI can be used to perform tasks that would typically require hands-on human intelligence, such as speech recognition, decision-making, language translation, and visual perception.
How AI “Learns” to Improve Productivity
Some of the ways that this type of technology can be used to refine processes, improve organization, and increase productivity is by learning and using the data gathered to make improvements in operations. There are different methods used that can be extremely beneficial, and Microsoft Co-Pilot utilizes a combination of these processes to benefit its users. Some of terminology used to describe what it is that AI does can be new or unfamiliar to the average user. It is a good idea to learn a bit about what it does and how it works so you can better understand how it can be applied to your workplace and offer the most advantages to your organization.
Some of the new terminology that you might want to know more about includes:
- Machine Learning – this method involves the active training of an AI computer system to recognize specific patterns in data, such as image-based or speech recognition machine learning.
- Deep Learning – while similar to machine learning, deep learning uses a variety of neural networks to process data and then make decisions based on the information that is presented. It spots patterns similar to machine learning but uses it to predict future requirements or actions based on that data.
- Natural Language Processing – known as NLP, this method enables the AI computer to interpret and understand human language. Used most commonly by virtual assistants, chatbots, and language translation software applications.
- Rule-based AI – this method is used for solving mathematical equations or for producing logical statements based on the data provided. It can be used to analyze large amounts of fast-moving data to spot potential fraud or identify useful patterns.
- Generative AI – much growth has been seen in the use of this type of AI and it has been applied significantly into Microsoft Co-Pilot to allow it to create new content through the use of existing data or newly added data submitted by humans. This content can be auditory, visual, or written, depending on the demands of the work that needs to be done.
AI in Our Everyday Lives
While you might think that AI is a relatively new technology, you have actually been using it in your daily life for many years now – at home and at work. For example, when you are writing an email or making a post on social media, you will notice helpful hints about spelling and grammar that pop-up as you write. You can see it even in your smartphone, whether you are texting a friend or sending an email to a colleague. Improvements in productivity are essential for today’s fast-paced business world, so the more AI-based tools that common applications can provide, the easier it is to stay ahead of the curve and get the job done effectively.
Currently there is a limited preview available of Co-Pilot in the following Microsoft 365 apps:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft OneNote
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Excel
It is important to know that there are pros and cons to every type of technology, which means that not all AI-based enhancements will be beneficial for your organization. As AI is still new in many ways and it relies on its ability to learn, process data, and make predictions, there will sometimes be biases or inaccuracies in the content that it produces. This is why working with a company like Synivate can offer such an advantage, particularly to small and medium-sized companies that are working to maximize the benefits of new technology, apps, and services. We work with each client to create innovative technology solutions based on their unique needs, industry requirements, and goals. Speak with one of our experienced consultants to find out what AI-based tools and resources are right for you.
Processing and Enhancing Data in the Spreadsheet
One of the most exciting ways that AI technology is being used in the workplace is through spreadsheet apps like Microsoft Excel. Co-Pilot features have already been applied with the latest updates to Excel that can be used today. The primary goal is to allow businesses to use the collected data to identify trends, get recommendations, and create visualizations that can improve growth, productivity, and take your organization to the next level. It’s all about staying ahead of the curve and being ready to beat the competition, so any advanced data analysis can be beneficial to that goal.
Try this top list of tips to help maximize your spreadsheet data to get ahead:
- Use Excel to filter out values to determine the best-selling products, identify categories that have increased public interest, or uncover areas of your business that are eating into your profits.
- Generate graphs from the collected data to make identification more visual and easy to spot, allowing you and your team to quickly adapt and change with the evolving market.
- Create predictive accounting and generate more accurate budgets by using the input data through AI-based suggestions and tools for better data manipulation.
The primary use of Microsoft Co-Pilot features within the Excel spreadsheet app in Microsoft 365 is to facility the analysis and exploration of data. You no longer need to rely on formulas to streamline data into specific goal-oriented processes. You can use these AI-based tools to create intuitive “what if” scenarios, obtain answers to questions, establish correlations between variables, and explore your data in ways you never imagined. Imagine having all of the facts, figures, and trends that impact your day-to-day business at your fingertips and then add the ability to manipulate that data to identify trends or glean recommendations for the future. These are just some of the benefits of AI in the workplace.
Productivity Management and Artificial Intelligence
You might not think that productivity is something that your small business should be concerned with – after all, you only have a dozen employees and everyone is working as hard as they can to achieve success. However, working hard isn’t the same as working smart. If you could provide your team with advanced tools that would aid in productivity to help you achieve your goals at a faster pace, wouldn’t you invest in them immediately? Businesses large and small struggle with productivity issues every day and AI-based tools like Microsoft Co-Pilot can help them to overcome common problems that can hinder even the most streamlined and effective workplace.
Our team at Synivate can assist you in the identification or productivity issues and offer a variety of services and technology-based solutions to ensure effective productivity management across the board. Studies reveal that proper team management can help a company to not only be more productive, but also to increase the organization’s market value and growth, while preparing it to withstand adverse situations, such as disaster recovery, economic impacts, and staffing complications. In addition to consulting, installation, and support for the solutions that we provide, Synivate also offers ongoing monitoring and management services designed to prevent most problems before they occur. Through our many years of experience we have discovered that successful productivity is significantly impacted by the technologies made available and the willingness of management to make the necessary improvements.
The Benefits of Microsoft Co-Pilot for Business
For most managers and small business owners, the bottom line for any new type of technology, training, or service is how it will benefit the organization as a whole. The primary objectives of your company will vary greatly from those of another type of business, so it is essential to look inward rather than outward when considering this type of investment. Our team of highly trained, experienced, and knowledgeable technicians, engineers, and technology consultants can provide you with the insight necessary to make an informed decision about AI-based technologies and services to ensure they are right for you and your future goals.
Some of the advantages associated with Microsoft Co-Pilot and AI Tools include:
- Cost-Savings – Through the use of IT virtual assistants and other AI-based tools, some businesses will be able to reduce IT costs, while still avoiding common technological mistakes and maintaining a high level of safety and security for their business.
- Increased Productivity – Streamlining day-to-day tasks, such as writing emails, creating reports, sending out communications, and processing data can be extremely beneficial to just about any type of business. By reducing the amount of time required for these daily activities, you can free up more time for each employee to focus on their other responsibilities to ensure improved production across the board.
- Enhanced Security – While network security, business continuity, and human-based services will always be necessary, AI services through Microsoft Co-Pilot can be used to provide an extra layer of security for your IT system to reduce the risk of security breaches, data loss, and malicious cyber-attacks.
- Improve Expertise – Certain tasks can be automated through the use of AI tools for repetitive actions, to augment your IT department or increase abilities beyond what you and your staff are able to accomplish on your own.
Contact Synivate to Get Started
If you would like to learn more about how Artificial Intelligence can work for you and your organization, contact our team at Synviate directly to speak with one of our knowledgeable consultants. We can assist you in finding the best technology solutions for your business, based on your unique needs, industry regulations, and budget. Whether you choose to work with Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot technologies or if remote monitoring and management services are more your speed, we can help you to identify and implement the most effective solutions to ensure you achieve your goals. Give us a call at 617-517-0704 to speak with one of our team members about your needs. We have all of the tools, services, and support available to transform your IT landscape and empower your business for the future.