Microsoft 365 Copilot Efficiency & AI Apps Plugin Optimization

Microsoft 365 Copilot, a cutting-edge AI assistant, aids users in managing digital debt, enhancing productivity, and freeing up time for substantial work. During Build 2023, Microsoft introduced a feature to enhance the Microsoft 365 Copilot with plugins created by developers and independent software vendors (ISVs). These features were demonstrated at a recent AI event, displaying how users can utilize plugins for task orchestration through natural language.

Microsoft 365 Chat, as part of Microsoft Teams, makes the natural-language capability possible. Numerous enterprise-level customers are part of the Early Access Program (EAP) of Microsoft 365 Copilot. The EAP is a platform where experiences of top ISVs who are developing plugins to augment the Copilot's capabilities can be leveraged.

Notable clients such as Ernst & Young and Wells Fargo are creating plugins to incorporate their own business applications within Copilot. Other integrations include OpenAI plugins, Microsoft Teams message extensions, and Microsoft Power Platform connectors. In the future, more plugins will be unveiled as more Microsoft Teams message extensions and Power Platform connectors get onboard.

Copilot's capability is expanded with various Microsoft Graph connectors. These provide access to company data and intelligence in Microsoft 365 to extend business context. As a result, employees can spend less time searching for specific information in chats, emails, or notifications and focus more on their core work.

One example was shown during the AI event where a new user experience was displayed from travel tech innovator Amadeus. Their 'Cytric Easy' plugin for Microsoft 365 Copilot would allow organizations and their employees to plan, book, and share travel plans using natural language. This would also create travel itineraries from conversations, for instance, from an email from a colleague.

This could support travelers in confirming and booking a trip right within the Microsoft ecosystem, resulting in increased productivity, a simpler business travel experience, and less time spent switching apps. Other industry leaders like Atlassian and Mural are also utilizing Copilot through Teams message extensions. Their apps aim to improve project management and collaboration in teams.

Jira, a project management app for software development from Atlassian, is designed to enhance user interactions with arising issues. Mural allows employees to access their Mural boards via chat, making visual collaboration more streamlined. Power Platform connectors and Microsoft Graph connectors enable the abilities of Copilot with data from partner applications.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI assistant

Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI assistant developed by Microsoft to enhance user productivity and efficiency. It uses plugins developed by various enterprises and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). Through Microsoft 365 Copilot, users can carry out complex tasks just by using natural language. The plugins extend the capabilities of Copilot and further help in enhancing the productivity at the workplace.

This AI assistant integrates well with Microsoft Teams and several other applications, thereby providing a seamless work experience for users. Enterprises like Ernst & Young and Wells Fargo are already leveraging this technology to optimize their business processes. In the future, Microsoft intends to unlock more capabilities and extend the use of Microsoft 365 Copilot broadly. Developers and ISVs are eagerly waiting for these updates, as it will enable them to create and launch new experiences on the platform.

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The blog mentioned some key integrations available for both ISVs and customers, which include OpenAI plugins, Microsoft Teams message extensions, and Microsoft Power Platform connectors. The company plans to enable more plugins in the coming weeks and months as more Teams message extensions and Power Platform connectors for ISV apps are onboarded.