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Microsoft Copilot has taken the enterprise by storm, offering a range of innovative solutions that harness the power of generative AI. However, beneath its impressive façade lies a complex web of offerings, each with its own unique use case and licensing requirements. This blog post aims to demystify the Microsoft Copilot universe, highlighting the different copilots available, their applications, and the business value they bring.

The Value Proposition

While some copilots offer clear benefits in specific areas, such as improving customer service experiences or automating tasks for sellers, others require a deeper dive into the Microsoft ecosystem. For instance, Copilot for Dynamics 365 Finance provides valuable insights for collections managers, but only within the context of the Dynamics 365 platform.

Complicated Licensing and Requirements

Not all copilots can be purchased independently; some require an existing base-level license type. This adds complexity to the buying process, particularly for organizations new to Microsoft’s ecosystem. Additionally, certain copilots are more useful when “all in” on the Microsoft eco-system, making it challenging for users to determine which ones to prioritize.

Comparison of Confused Copilot Offerings

To help clarify the differences between various copilots, let’s compare some of the more confusing versions:

  • Microsoft Copilot vs. Copilot for Microsoft 365: While both offer AI-powered chat capabilities, the latter provides secure access to organizational graphs across all M365 apps.
  • Copilot Chat vs. Copilot in Microsoft Viva: The former generates contextual responses to customer questions, whereas the latter accelerates workforce insights and automates processes.

A Partial List of Microsoft Copilot Offerings

Here is at least a partial list of copilots mentioned earlier:

For Knowledge Workers

  • Microsoft Copilot: Introduces generative AI to the organization without risking company data.
  • Copilot for Microsoft 365: Uses AI-powered chat with secure access to organizational graphs across all M365 apps.
  • Copilot for Dynamics 365 Project Operations: Creates new project plans using natural language.
  • Copilot for Dynamics 365 Finance: Accesses credit and payment history for collections managers.
  • Copilot for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain: Handles changes to purchase orders at scale.
  • Copilot in Microsoft Viva: Accelerates workforce insights and automates processes.
  • Copilot in Dynamics 365 Business Central: Generates and publishes product descriptions using AI.

For Customer Service

  • Microsoft Copilot for Service: Modernizes contact center to enhance service experiences.
  • Copilot in Dynamics 365 Customer Service: Generates contextual responses to customer questions.
  • Copilot in Dynamics 365 Field Service: Prepopulates data in work orders for frontline service workers.
  • Copilot in Dynamics 365 Customer Insights: Generates insights about customers and creates targeted segments.

For Sales

  • Microsoft Copilot for Sales: Automates and simplifies tasks for sellers.
  • Copilot in Dynamics 365 Sales: Helps sellers prioritize tasks with AI assistance.

For Data Professionals

  • Copilot in Microsoft Fabric: Assists data professionals in analyzing and visualizing data.
  • Copilot in Power BI: Illuminates hidden patterns and anomalies in data.

Security Analysis

  • Microsoft Copilot for Security: Increases efficiency and capabilities of defenders.

IT Professionals

  • Microsoft Copilot for Azure: Gains new insights into workloads and orchestrates tasks.
  • Microsoft Copilot Studio: Authors responses and creates custom copilots and GPTs.
  • Copilot in Power Apps: Builds enterprise-grade applications with generative AI.
  • Copilot in Power Automate: Builds and extends workflows using natural language.
  • Copilot in Power Pages: Generates text, builds forms, and chatbots with AI.

For Developers

  • GitHub Copilot: Provides developers with contextualized assistance.
  • GitHub Copilot X: Enhances GitHub Copilot with chat and voice interfaces.
  • Build your own copilot with Azure AI Studio: Builds, evaluates, and deploys AI solutions securely.

While this (less than!) exhaustive list might seem overwhelming at first, understanding the individual use cases and licensing requirements can help organizations navigate the Microsoft Copilot universe and unlock its full potential.