Preparing for Copilot for Microsoft 365
If you think Copilot for Microsoft 365 sounds like it could work for your business, the next step is to assess your readiness. Installing and using the AI is straightforward, but successful implementation requires preparedness, particularly regarding data and user authorisation.
Prerequisites: Microsoft 365 Apps
Before discussing the implementation process, the first step is to ensure your team has access to the following:
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Outlook – must be using the New Outlook for Windows
- Microsoft Teams – must be using Teams desktop client or web client
- OneDrive – must have a OneDrive account
- SharePoint
- Exchange
In addition, the devices of every user need to be enrolled in the Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel. If you’re unsure what this means or how to do it, get in touch with us and we can help.
Licensing Requirements
Copilot for Microsoft 365 is available as an add-on with the following plans:
- Microsoft 365 E5
- Microsoft 365 E3
- Office 365 E3
- Office 365 E5
- Microsoft 365 A5 for faculty
- Microsoft 365 A3 for faculty
- Office 365 A5 for faculty
- Office 365 A3 for faculty
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium
If you don’t have one of the above licensing plans, you will need to set one up. If you’re not sure which plan is right for you, speak to us and we’ll help you find the most cost-effective and appropriate solution for your business.
Assess User Readiness and Assign Licensing
The next step is to determine which of your team members will need access to Copilot. To do this and assign access, you can head over to the Microsoft 365 admin center to assign licenses to individuals or groups. Whether assigning licenses individually or in bulk, you can streamline the process through:
- The Azure admin center
- PowerShell
If you have a large number of employees and don’t have access to Azure or PowerShell, get in touch with us, and we’ll provide access to every employee that needs it. If you’re not sure which employees will benefit the most from Copilot, use the integrated readiness table to look at every user, the apps they use, and if their devices are ready in order to assess if they should get a license.
You can see the percentage of licensed employees that are using Copilot (not just clicking the icon, but actually prompting the AI) and assess usage too, and reassign licenses based on this data.
Manage Security and Permissions
With Copilot for Microsoft 365 being able to pull data and files from various platforms and between users. You may have questions around preventing certain users from accessing information they shouldn’t. For example, such as a sales executive mistakenly opening a payroll sheet.
The way permissions work in your Microsoft 365 setup helps prevent data from going where it shouldn’t, like from one user or group to another. Copilot for Microsoft 365 follows the same rules for data access as other Microsoft 365 tools. It only shows data that each user is allowed to see, based on their permissions. This means that Copilot won’t access any content that the user isn’t supposed to see.
Before deploying Copilot for Microsfot 365, it’s a good idea to assess permissions and make sure data isn’t leaked between teams.
Giving Copilot for Microsoft 365 Data Access
Because some core experiences associated with Microsoft 365 Copilot – such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Teams – use WebSocket connections. They must be enabled from user endpoints to the endpoints within the Microsoft 365 endpoint taxonomy.
Organisations should also have an Azure Active Directory account, with an Entra or Azure ID.Iin addition to Purview Information Protection, which will enable them to control the information accessible by Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Copilot for Microsoft 365 is grounded in your data, in order for it to be deployed, you need to ensure your data access is properly managed and accessible. Because some important parts of Microsoft 365 Copilot, like Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Teams, use WebSocket connections, you need to make sure these connections are turned on from your computers to the right places.
Its also a good idea to have an Azure Active Directory account and an Entra or Azure ID. This, along with Purview Information Protection, helps you control what information Copilot can access.
Extending Copilot to Third-Party Systems
Copilot for 365 has extensibility options so it can be connected to other platforms and pull data from them to amplify use in the Microsoft 365 suite of apps. Meaning if you use other systems for certain processes, you can automate those workflows through third-party Copilot integration. For example, Jira can be integrated, and you can ask Copilot for Microsoft 365 for assistance with tickets raised on the Jira platform.
Get Help Migrating to Copilot for Microsoft 365
Getting ready for Copilot takes careful planning, but with our help, your team can get the most out of Microsoft 365 and transition as smoothly as possible. We can help you assess your readiness, get your data and authorisations in order. Contact us to learn more and get started with Copilot for Microsoft 365.
Useful Resources
Download our Copilot eGuide for more information and insights.
Check out our blog about the Top 10 Benefits of Microsoft Copilot for 365.
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