News – Credit Shutterstock
Microsoft is ushering in a new era of productivity and document management with the quiet launch of its Microsoft 365 Copilot AI assistant, designed to transform the way Office documents are created and edited. This innovative tool, available to enterprise customers, comes with a $30-per-month premium per user. However, there’s a catch: to access this groundbreaking AI-powered assistant, enterprise customers must commit to at least 300 users and reach out to Microsoft directly to join the waitlist.
Businesses that choose to embrace this premium offering will gain access to a range of features that promise to enhance their workflow. Microsoft 365 Copilot is capable of summarizing documents, generating emails, converting notes into plans, and improving Excel analysis. The AI assistant has undergone rigorous testing, with more than 600 enterprise customers participating in a paid early access program in recent months.
High Hopes for Microsoft 365 Copilot
Despite the relatively high initial cost, Microsoft has ambitious expectations for the adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot. Forrester Research predicts that 6.9 million knowledge workers in the United States will be utilizing this AI assistant by 2024. Microsoft believes that the tool’s capabilities will significantly boost productivity, making it a worthwhile investment for forward-thinking enterprises.
The launch of Microsoft 365 Copilot is akin to a preorder event, with most users unable to access it immediately. To purchase the tool, enterprise customers must contact their Microsoft account representative. Current subscribers of Microsoft 365 E3 and E5, as well as Business Standard/Premium, can begin utilizing Bing Chat Enterprise right away. However, Office 365 plan users and some Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Business Premium subscribers will have to wait. Microsoft 365 Monthly Enterprise Channel users will gain access to Copilot features starting in December.
A Soft Launch and Ongoing Previews
Today’s unveiling of Microsoft 365 Copilot marks the beginning of a quiet revolution in document management, even though it remains somewhat under the radar. Microsoft initially showcased Copilot widely during its Surface and AI event in September, but the offering is currently limited to Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 commercial subscribers. This means that a significant portion of users, including those on Office 365 plans, are not yet able to access it.
Furthermore, certain aspects of the Microsoft 365 Copilot experience are still in preview. For instance, Copilot for Excel is in preview, Copilot for OneNote is exclusively available on Windows, the SharePoint Copilot preview is set to launch in November, and the Copilot preview for OneDrive won’t be available until December.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s introduction of the Microsoft 365 Copilot AI assistant for enterprise users signifies a significant step towards enhancing productivity and document management in the corporate world. While it is currently accessible to a limited audience, the long-term vision for this AI assistant promises to revolutionize the way Office documents are handled, offering a glimpse into the future of document management and productivity.
