Is Microsoft Copilot Worth It for Your Business? Our IT Expert Opinion

The AI market is on fire. It’s projected to reach $305.9 billion in 2024, soaring to $738.76 billion by 2030. This growth signals an AI arms race, where business leaders who are proactive with this technology can gain real competitive edges.

One of the most promising AI tools is Microsoft Copilot. It aims to supercharge workplace productivity by integrating advanced AI capabilities directly into the Microsoft 365 suite. The goal of the chatbot is to make complex tasks simpler through automation.

But, as with all tech breakthroughs (such as when Azure launched in 2010 – now, most people don’t think twice about the daily use of cloud software), navigating them means some unknowns.

The Promise of Microsoft Copilot

How does the new tech work in practice, and is Microsoft Copilot worth it? To answer that question, let’s first look at its features. Here’s a concise breakdown of what Microsoft claims Copilot can offer at this stage.

• Integration with Microsoft 365: Copilot allows users to interact with their data in more intuitive ways. You can use natural language to query, analyze, and generate insights directly within apps like Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Intelligent Assistance: Whether it’s drafting emails, creating content, or generating insights, Copilot uses AI to provide real-time assistance.
• Improved Productivity: Copilot automates mundane tasks like note-taking or summarizing to free up valuable time.

   

Remember, as is the case with any new technology, these claims are still in a trial period.

We Evaluated Microsoft Copilot’s Current Capabilities

Our deep dive into Microsoft Copilot reveals a tool brimming with potential. However, some concerns need to be addressed before considering a full-scale deployment. For our team, the exciting allure of AI-driven productivity loses its shine against the realities of its current capabilities, limits, and cost.

“The world of AI moves quickly, but organizations change much more slowly. What works in a lab may be wrong for your company right now. If you know the right questions to ask, you can make better decisions, regardless of how fast technology changes.”

– Harvard Business Review

What Microsoft Copilot Gets Right

Microsoft Copilot shines in several areas. They offer genuine glimpses into the future of AI-enhanced productivity:

• Meeting Transcription and Summary: A standout feature that enhances meeting efficiency for Microsoft Teams users. It demonstrates Copilot’s potential in handling real-time data and providing actionable summaries.
• Ease of Use: Its seamless integration with the Microsoft 365 suite makes it an accessible tool for users familiar with the platform. It can streamline tasks without a steep learning curve.
• Innovative Potential: The future of Copilot means the ability to synthesize and analyze data across applications. Though not fully realized, it has real potential to be a game-changer for productivity.

Where Microsoft Copilot Has the Opportunity to Grow and Improve

The pioneering element of this technology is exciting, but leaders mustn’t get ahead of themselves. Despite the promising aspects, Copilot has some hiccups.

• Limited Cross-Application Synergy: Despite its potential, Copilot currently falls short in synthesizing data across different Microsoft 365 applications. Users may find the tool unable to fully leverage interconnected data insights as advertised.
• Inconsistent Performance: When faced with queries that span multiple data types and sources, Copilot’s performance can be inconsistent. This variability can frustrate users expecting a reliable assistant.
• Feature Incompleteness: Early adopters have noted that certain advertised features are either partially implemented or not available. This gap between expectation and reality can hinder user adoption and overall satisfaction.
• Adaptation to User-Specific Needs: Copilot’s ability to adapt and learn from individual user interactions and preferences is still in its infancy. As a result, it may not offer the personalized support that users expect.

   

It’s important to remember that Copilot is still in its learning stage. The rate at which AI is changing might mean these are no longer an issue six months from now. That’s why we’re here – to let you know through our own IT expertise when this is ready for full adoption across your organization.

ROI Analysis: Is Microsoft Copilot Worth It?

With a price tag of $30 a month, the ROI is difficult to justify. At this point, we believe it’s not ready for mass deployment within your organization. Consider paying for one subscription within your organization, or utilizing a trusted IT partner to keep you updated on developments.

In the interim, we recommend exploring alternatives like ChatGPT or Teams Premium. In particular, Teams offers some of the best features of Copilot – at a lower cost – such as meeting transcriptions and summaries. This feature is extremely helpful for businesses of all types, and Teams Premium only costs $8.40 per month.