Microsoft Copilot: The Ultimate Guide to the Wide World of AI

In the fast-paced world of digital transformation, it's crucial to have cutting-edge tools and savvy partners to stay ahead of the game.

Microsoft Copilot does exactly that, blending advanced AI with our everyday work apps. Whether you're typing an email, analyzing data, or coding the next big app, Copilot is there to make your job easier, smarter, and faster.

In this guide, we'll explore how Microsoft is revolutionizing our work with different versions of Copilot, each tailored to specific needs. So buckle up and get ready to explore the exciting world of Microsoft Copilot, where your work life will never be the same again!

• Who is Microsoft Copilot For? Everyone!
• Microsoft Copilot for 365: Your Intelligent Workspace Assistant
• Copilot (formerly known as Bing Chat Enterprise)
• Power Platform Copilot: Unleashing AI in App Development
• Microsoft Security Copilot: Reinventing Organizational Security
• Dynamics 365 Copilot: Transforming CRM and ERP with AI
• GitHub Copilot: Your AI Coding Companion
• Wrapping It Up: Your Ultimate Microsoft Copilot Suite Guide

Who is Microsoft Copilot For? Everyone!

Microsoft Copilot has a version for everyone, from developers to business professionals. Whatever your role, there's a Copilot to help you work smarter and more efficiently. Let's take a look: 

Business Professionals and Teams: Microsoft  Copilot for 365

Microsoft 365 Copilot is a game-changer for business professionals. If you're juggling documents in Word, crunching numbers in Excel, or creating presentations in PowerPoint, this tool is for you. It's designed to streamline your workflow, making daily tasks more efficient and less tedious.

SCENARIO: Picture this - a marketing manager with the superpower of Microsoft 365 Copilot at their disposal. With just a few clicks, they effortlessly format a comprehensive report in Word, crunch sales data in Excel, and create a visually stunning PowerPoint presentation for that all-important board meeting.

Enterprise Users and IT Administrators: Bing Chat Enterprise

For those managing enterprise applications and looking for robust AI capabilities with strong data protection, Copilot, previously called Bing Chat Enterprise, is the answer. It's perfect for IT administrators and enterprise users who need a secure, intelligent assistant.

SCENARIO: An IT pro utilizes Copilot to effortlessly handle user access permissions and tackle network problems across a range of enterprise applications, all while maintaining top-notch data security.

App Developers and IT Specialists: Power Platform Copilot

If you're into app development or an IT specialist working with Microsoft's Power Platform, this version of Copilot is tailored for you. It simplifies and accelerates app development, making it a must-have tool in your tech arsenal.

Here's a real-life scenario: an app developer utilizes Power Platform Copilot to effortlessly streamline the process of creating a custom CRM application. By integrating different data sources with minimal coding, they can work smarter, not harder.

Security Teams and Analysts: Microsoft Security Copilot:

For cybersecurity professionals and analysts, Microsoft Security Copilot is like having an AI-powered ally. It's built to enhance security operations, making it essential for teams focused on protecting organizational data.

Imagine this scenario: a cybersecurity analyst harnesses the power of Microsoft Security Copilot to expertly analyze network traffic patterns and pinpoint potential threats, ultimately bolstering the organization's cybersecurity stance.

Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain Professionals: Dynamics 365 Copilot

In sales, marketing, or supply chain management? Dynamics 365 Copilot integrates AI into these domains, providing valuable insights and assistance, making it ideal for professionals in these fields.

Here's a real-life example: Picture a savvy sales manager utilizing Dynamics 365 Copilot to delve into customer behavior, predict sales trends, and optimize inventory management in real-time. Talk about staying one step ahead!

Developers and Coders: GitHub Copilot

Developers, this one’s for you. Whether you’re coding in Visual Studio Code or tackling complex programming challenges, GitHub Copilot is like having an AI pair programmer by your side, enhancing your coding efficiency.

Picture this: a brilliant software developer harnesses the power of GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code to effortlessly whip up squeaky clean, bug-free code at lightning speed. The result? A significant reduction in development time for a badass new software feature.

Chances are you've seen yourself in one (or more!) of these scenarios. 😉 Each Microsoft Copilot is more than just a tool; it's your partner in achieving peak efficiency and innovation. Ready to see how? Let's zoom in on each Copilot and uncover their unique features, how they can revolutionize your work, and how you can get access to these amazing new tools. Dive in with us!

Microsoft Copilot for 365: Your Intelligent Workspace Assistant

If you're already acquainted with Copilot, this is likely the version you're familiar with! Microsoft Copilot for 365 serves as the intelligent assistant within your Microsoft 365 applications. Seamlessly integrating with popular tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, it brings AI-powered capabilities right to your fingertips:

• Microsoft Copilot for 365 enhances your productivity in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with intelligent composition, data insights, and captivating presentations.

• Streamline your email management with Outlook's enhanced intuitiveness, providing valuable assistance in efficiently managing and composing emails.

• Copilot for 365 simplifies communication and collaboration in Teams, ensuring smoother team interactions.

RELATED READING: ChatGPT vs Microsoft Copilot for 365: How Do They Compare?

How to Get Microsoft For 365 Copilot: Availability & Pricing**

NOTE: As of January 2024, Microsoft is now offering a no-seat minimum and expanded availability of Copilot for Microsoft 365—including small and medium-sized businesses.  

Pricing: The cost for Microsoft 365 Copilot is $30 per user every month, providing fantastic value for the intelligent assistance it brings to your Microsoft 365 applications.

Copilot (formerly known as Bing Chat Enterprise): Revolutionizing Enterprise Communication

Copilot is tailored for enterprise use, offering advanced AI assistance for web-based business applications. Its role extends beyond that of a conventional chatbot, playing a key part in creating comprehensive reports and aiding in corporate strategy:

• Data Integration: It connects with enterprise data systems, providing quick and data-informed responses to complex business inquiries.

• Team Collaboration Enhancement: The tool brings intelligent insights to the table, proving useful in corporate meetings and brainstorming sessions for team collaboration.

• Data Security: A major focus of Bing Chat Enterprise is the security of enterprise data. It employs strong security protocols to prevent data breaches effectively.

• User Confidentiality: It adheres to strict policies to ensure the confidentiality of user interactions, thereby protecting against any potential misuse of data.

How to Get Copilot: Availability & Pricing**

Copilot is free for users with Microsoft 365 E3, E5, F3, A3 or A5 (for faculty), Business Premium, and Business Standard plans when signed in with a work or school account (Entra ID)​.

Standalone Pricing: For those without these specific Microsoft 365 plans, Copilot will be available as a standalone product for $5 per user per month​​​.

Power Platform Copilot: Unleashing AI in App Development

Power Platform Copilot is a new addition designed to augment the capabilities of the Microsoft Power Platform. It is compatible with Power Apps, Power Bi, Power Automate, Power Virtual Agents, and AI Builder, aiming to assist users in creating more effective and intelligent applications through AI-guided support. The tool's main features include:

• Seamless Integration: It is designed to work alongside Power Platform tools, aiming to improve their overall functionality.

• Intuitive AI Assistance: During the app development process, it offers real-time AI-driven suggestions and enhancements.

The tool also brings several benefits to app development:

• Accelerated Development Cycle: It aims to shorten the time needed for app creation and deployment.
• Enhanced App Intelligence: By integrating advanced AI features, apps become more responsive and user-friendly.
• Simplified Complex Processes: The tool helps to break down intricate app-building tasks into simpler, more manageable steps

How to Get Power Platform Copilot: Availability & Pricing**

The capabilities available in the Microsoft Copilot Studio app for Microsoft Teams, which include Power Platform Copilot functionalities, are part of select Microsoft 365 subscriptions that include Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft Teams capabilities. These are accessible, excluding plans for US government environments (GCC, GCC High, and DoD) and EDU A1 and SUB SKUs​​.

Standalone Subscription: To access the full range of Microsoft Copilot Studio capabilities, including the comprehensive features of Power Platform Copilot, users need to upgrade to a standalone Microsoft Copilot Studio subscription. The standalone subscription allows building chatbots on any supported channel and connecting to any data using premium connectors.

Free Trial: A 60-day free trial of Microsoft Copilot Studio is also available, offering an opportunity to explore all its capabilities.

Microsoft Security Copilot: Reinventing Organizational Security

Microsoft Security Copilot is a new tool designed to assist security professionals by leveraging Microsoft's security knowledge and global threat data. It aims to help security teams stay ahead of emerging threats through several key features:

• Proactive Threat Detection: It uses AI to predict and identify potential security threats, aiming for a more proactive approach to cybersecurity.

• Efficient Incident Management: The tool is designed to make security operations more efficient, helping to simplify the process of responding to incidents.

• AI-Driven Security Solutions: Microsoft Security Copilot focuses on using AI to enhance various aspects of cybersecurity. This includes:

  • Efficiency Boosters: It aims to reduce the time spent on essential security tasks, potentially increasing productivity.
  • User-Friendly Accessibility: The interface is designed to be intuitive, allowing security teams of different skill levels to effectively use its advanced features.
  • Smart Security Insights: The tool provides AI-generated insights to help organizations quickly identify and prioritize critical security tasks.

How to Get Microsoft Security Copilot: Availability & Pricing**

Microsoft Security Copilot is currently available through an invitation-only Early Access Program for commercial customers.

• Licensing Requirements: Before accessing Security Copilot, it's recommended to have Microsoft Entra ID P1 or P2 (formerly Azure Active Directory Premium P1 or P2) licenses and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 licenses. Additionally, a Microsoft Security Copilot Early Access Program pass is required, granting access for six months from purchase​.

• Pricing: The pricing for the Microsoft Security Copilot Early Access Program hasn't been publicly released. The program is available for purchase through the Microsoft 365 admin center, with pricing details expected to be revealed once the solution becomes generally available​​​.

RELATED READING: Mastering Advanced Security Features in Microsoft 365

Dynamics 365 Copilot: Transforming CRM and ERP with AI

Dynamics 365 Copilot is focused on improving business operations using AI, aiming to make customer interactions and operational decisions more insightful and effective. It introduces a new dimension to business interactions with CRM and ERP systems through AI integration. This integration enhances the intelligence and efficiency of these platforms, moving beyond basic data management to more effective data utilization:

The tool offers advantages across several business sectors:

1. Sales and Marketing: It helps streamline customer interactions and lead management by providing tailored insights.

2. Supply Chain Management: Dynamics 365 Copilot enhances supply chain efficiency with predictive analytics and real-time insights.

3. Service Sector: In the service industry, it improves service delivery through automated responses and intelligent customer engagement.

How to Get Copilot for Dynamics 365: Availability and Pricing**

The Copilot capabilities for Dynamics 365 are included in the Dynamics 365 Customer Insights subscription, with prices starting at $1,397.30 per tenant per month. These capabilities, like automatic summarization and content generation, are also available at no additional cost in some other Dynamics subscription packages​.

• Sales Copilot Add-On: Copilot for Sales can be purchased as an add-on for $50 per user per month. It's also included with Dynamics 365 Sales Enterprise and Sales Premium packages at no additional cost.

GitHub Copilot: Your AI Coding Companion

GitHub Copilot serves as a knowledgeable coding partner, ready to assist developers with AI-powered code suggestions. This enhances coding efficiency and creativity, providing valuable support for a wide range of coding tasks. GitHub Copilot is more than a coding tool; it's an extension of a developer's capabilities, empowering them to write better code more efficiently:

•  Suggests entire lines or blocks of code as you type, speeding up the development process.

• Adapts to your project's coding style and requirements, providing relevant suggestions.

Integration with Visual Studio Code:

• Directly integrates with VS Code, offering a smooth coding experience.

• Understands a wide range of programming languages, catering to diverse development needs.

How to Get Github Copilot: Availability and Pricing**

• Pricing for Individuals: GitHub Copilot is available for individual developers at $10 per month or $100 per year. This pricing model offers flexibility, allowing users to choose between monthly and yearly billing cycles​​​​.

• Free Trial: A 30-day free trial is available, allowing users to test the tool before committing to a subscription.

• GitHub Copilot for Business: For enterprises, GitHub Copilot is priced at $19 per user per month, providing organization-wide policy controls, license management, and enhanced data privacy features.

• Free Access for Specific Groups: GitHub Copilot is offered for free to verified students and maintainers of popular open-source projects, demonstrating GitHub's support for the Open Source and Learning communities.

** NOTE: All availability and pricing information is up-to-date as of December 2023

Wrapping It Up: Your Ultimate Microsoft Copilot Suite Guide

So here's to working smarter, not harder, with a little help from our AI friends! 🚀👩‍💻🤖