In today’s fast-paced digital world, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with cybersecurity is more critical than ever. On August 22nd, 2024, Manage Solution launched the first of a three-part webinar series, focusing on AI-driven cybersecurity tools, their advantages, and the future of digital security. Here’s a summary of the key insights shared during the session, emphasizing the essential role of AI in modern cybersecurity strategies.
AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity by enhancing threat detection, providing real-time insights, and streamlining security operations. AI-driven tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, are now pivotal in helping organizations stay ahead of emerging threats. As cybersecurity challenges grow more complex, AI’s ability to adapt and respond dynamically becomes indispensable.
While AI offers advanced solutions, the importance of foundational cybersecurity principles cannot be overstated. The CIA Triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, and
Availability—remains the cornerstone of any robust security strategy. Ensuring that sensitive data is protected, accurate, and accessible when needed is essential before implementing AI-driven tools.
AI’s practical applications in cybersecurity are vast, particularly in addressing the increasing centralization of data and the rise of social engineering attacks. By integrating AI tools within platforms like Microsoft 365, businesses can effectively monitor and respond to these threats, ensuring a consolidated and proactive approach to cybersecurity.
The trend toward tool consolidation within the Microsoft ecosystem was also highlighted as a strategy to improve efficiency and streamline security operations. As businesses face an overwhelming array of security tools, simplifying and integrating these solutions becomes a practical necessity.
Looking ahead, AI’s potential to augment human capabilities in cybersecurity is immense. While the technology is still evolving, its role as a critical ally in defending against cyber threats is clear. Businesses are encouraged to embrace AI as a key component of their cybersecurity strategy, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
As Manage Solution continues its , the focus will remain on empowering organizations to navigate the complexities of AI-driven cybersecurity. The next sessions on September 12th and October 2nd will delve deeper into the tools and strategies shaping the future of digital protection.
In the face of increasing cyber threats, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), maintaining operational efficiency while meeting stringent security requirements is a growing challenge.
Implementing clear and enforceable security policies is one of the most effective ways to
mitigate these risks. Simple measures, such as controlling physical access to rooms, can significantly reduce vulnerabilities.
SMBs also face pressure from larger partners to comply with cybersecurity standards, underscoring the importance of third-party risk management. Establishing robust identity management, logging activities, and disaster recovery plans are critical steps in ensuring a secure environment.
The rising threat of insider attacks adds another layer of complexity. Organizations must implement both technical tools and common-sense practices to mitigate these risks, recognizing that insider threats can develop over time due to various factors.
AI tools like Microsoft Copilot for Security are becoming invaluable in detecting and responding to threats quickly and accurately. These tools can analyze vast amounts of data, identify anomalous behaviors, and prevent data breaches, making them essential in today’s cybersecurity landscape.
In addition to addressing internal threats, maintaining control over the growing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is crucial. Each new IoT device connected to a network presents a potential entry point for attackers, making stringent controls necessary.
A balanced cybersecurity strategy that encompasses both cloud and on-premises technologies is essential. Ensuring proper configurations and preventing lateral account movements are key to reducing the risk of breaches, while maintaining a balance between usability, functionality, and security is critical.
As cybersecurity continues to evolve, comprehensive, AI-driven tools like Microsoft Copilot for Security will play a vital role in enhancing organizational resilience and safeguarding against emerging threats.
Join us on September 12th, 2024, for the second installment of our three-part webinar series, "Staying Ahead of Security Threats with Microsoft Security." In this session, we'll dive deeper into the tools and strategies that empower businesses to stay one step ahead of evolving cybersecurity threats. Learn how to leverage Microsoft Security solutions to enhance your organization's defense mechanisms, streamline threat detection, and secure your digital assets in an increasingly complex cyber landscape.
Secure your spot now and gain actionable insights to fortify your cybersecurity strategy. Register today to ensure you don’t miss out on this essential session!
In today's digital landscape, embracing technological innovations isn't just a pathway to growth—it's essential for survival. Yet, as we eagerly adopt cutting-edge strategies and solutions to enhance our business operations, we must apply that same forward-thinking approach to cybersecurity.
Just as staying competitive requires constant innovation in products, services, and processes, protecting our digital assets demands an equally proactive and dynamic strategy.
This guide outlines key steps for identifying, responding to, and mitigating cybersecurity incidents. It offers practical, scalable strategies tailored to businesses at various growth stages, ensuring organizations of all sizes can effectively protect their digital assets.
Introduction: The Importance of Cybersecurity in Business
Identifying and Defining Cybersecurity Incidents
6. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning
7. Risk Assessments and Ongoing Management
8. Proactive Vulnerability Management
Conclusion: Aligning Security Measures with Operational Advancements
A cybersecurity incident can be broadly defined as any event that compromises the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of an organization’s information assets. Understanding the severity level of an incident is crucial in shaping the response strategy.
When an incident occurs, the first step is to categorize it by its impact on the organization. Is it an adverse incident that disrupts critical business functions, or is it a lower-severity issue that can be managed without significant intervention?
For example, a data breach exposing customer information would be classified as a high-severity incident, necessitating immediate and comprehensive action. Learn more about incident severity levels and official recommendations in this guide from The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The Importance of Incident Response Planning
An effective incident response plan begins long before an incident occurs. Preparation involves defining the key functions that need to be activated during an incident, such as communication channels, points of contact, and disclosure procedures.
Organizations should have templates and procedures in place for notifying customers, contacting authorities, and ensuring that all stakeholders are informed in a timely manner. This preparation is vital in ensuring a swift and coordinated response when an incident does occur.
Involving the Right People
One of the most critical aspects of incident response is involving the right people. This includes IT teams, security professionals, legal counsel, and executive leadership.
Each team member should have a clearly defined role in the incident response process, ensuring that all necessary actions are taken promptly and efficiently.
For small businesses with limited resources, outsourcing parts of the incident response process might be necessary to handle the complexities of a security breach. Learn more about this in step 4.
Tailoring Incident Response Based on Organizational Size
The size of the organization significantly impacts how incident response is handled. Smaller organizations, particularly those with fewer than 100 employees, might not have the internal capacity to manage a full-scale incident response. These businesses may need to rely on external experts or automated solutions to help them navigate through a cybersecurity incident.
For medium-sized organizations, a mix of internal and external resources is often necessary, while larger organizations with more than 500 employees typically have the infrastructure to manage incidents internally but may still benefit from specialized external support.
Organizations with limited budgets should consider automating parts of the incident response process, allowing them to manage risks more efficiently without a large investment in personnel. As businesses grow, they should also consider building out a dedicated incident response team to ensure they are prepared for more complex threats.
When and How to Do It Effectively
For organizations that choose to outsource parts of their cybersecurity, it’s important to select the right partners and solutions. Outsourcing can include everything from vulnerability management to full incident response services.
However, it’s crucial that these outsourced services are integrated seamlessly into the organization’s existing processes and that there is clear communication between internal and external teams.
When selecting tools and software, organizations should consider the maturity of the solutions and how well they integrate with existing systems. For example, tools that use AI to enhance cybersecurity measures should be built on a foundation of robust, well-established practices to be truly effective.
AI and Cybersecurity
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity solutions.
“AI tools, particularly those using generative AI, are not revolutionary but evolutionary” — says Managed Solution’s Compliance expert, Lloyd Bowen “…the technology we know and use today has been built upon existing technologies to provide more sophisticated defenses against cyber threats.”
Organizations considering AI-driven tools should ensure that their existing security infrastructure is mature enough to support these advanced technologies. AI is most effective when it can learn from a solid foundation of data and practices, making the upfront investment in traditional cybersecurity measures a critical step.
Microsoft has made significant strides in expanding its security offerings to meet the needs of modern organizations. The perception that Microsoft’s security solutions are sub-par is outdated. In reality, Microsoft has been successfully advancing their comprehensive suite of security tools and more and more businesses are beginning to notice.
A key driver of this advancement is Microsoft's integration of artificial intelligence into its security solutions. Some notable examples include:
Beyond incident response, organizations must also focus on disaster recovery and business continuity planning. These plans are crucial for ensuring that the business can continue to operate, even in the face of significant disruptions. 
For instance, a natural disaster could disrupt office operations, requiring a plan for how employees will continue to work remotely. Similarly, a cybersecurity incident might require a temporary shutdown of systems, during which the organization must still maintain critical functions.
Developing a business continuity plan involves identifying potential risks, preparing for various scenarios, and ensuring that all employees are trained and ready to execute the plan if necessary. A key in this step is bridging the communication between IT teams and leadership.
Although it’s tempting to leave the complexities of cybersecurity to the experts on staff, it is important to remember that in today’s world a truly secure business means a fully prepared team. Meaning that establishing Cybersecurity as an organizational imperative, rather than an IT-only concern, is an essential step for a solid business continuity plan.
Regular risk assessments are a key component of maintaining a strong security posture. At a minimum, organizations should conduct a risk assessment once a year. Although, more frequent assessments may be necessary depending on the nature of the business and the risks involved.
Furthermore, IT teams can play a pivotal role in these assessments by identifying not only IT-specific risks, but also broader organizational risks that could impact the business.
Effective vulnerability management involves more than just identifying weaknesses in a system—it requires a proactive approach to remediation.
Organizations should perform regular vulnerability scans, ideally on a monthly basis, to ensure that any issues are identified and addressed promptly. While quarterly scans are an option, they can lead to a backlog of vulnerabilities, making it harder to manage and remediate them effectively.
Penetration testing, while valuable, should be considered a secondary priority to regular vulnerability management. The focus should be on fixing known vulnerabilities to reduce the attack surface, rather than waiting to see if they can be exploited in a pen test. For organizations that lack the internal resources to manage vulnerability remediation, outsourcing this function can be a viable solution. This allows businesses to maintain a strong security posture without overburdening their IT teams.
In the world of cybersecurity, much like in business operations, standing still is effectively moving backwards. By aligning our security measures with our operational advancements, we create a robust foundation that not only safeguards our innovations but also becomes a catalyst for confident expansion in the digital realm.
By implementing advanced detection and response capabilities, leveraging AI-driven tools, and maintaining a robust vulnerability management program, organizations like yours can significantly enhance their security posture and resilience against cyber threats.
Plus, you’re not alone. Our experts are here to help you learn more about the right security strategies and solutions to keep your business thriving. Learn about our upcoming AI & Cybersecurity Webinar below and subscribe to our newsletter here to access even more exclusive content and events here.
In the dynamic realm of data-driven decision-making, access to relevant, accurate, and timely data is paramount. Copilot Data Connectors are revolutionary, linking various data sources to assist in your evaluation.
This guide discusses Copilot Data Connectors. It explains how to use them, why they are important, and how they improve data workflows.
Copilot Data Connectors are innovative tools designed to simplify and streamline data integration processes.
They help users easily access data from different sources like cloud platforms, databases, and applications. Copilot Data Connectors make it easier to retrieve and integrate data. This allows users to concentrate on gaining valuable insights rather than managing separate data sources.
ensuring compatibility and efficiency.To get the latest data for analyzing and reports, you can choose to turn on Real-Time Syncing for continuous updates. This will keep your insights up-to-date with the latest data from your sources.
You can connect the data with your favorite analytical tools. These tools include business intelligence dashboards, machine learning models, and custom applications. This allows for seamless integration and analyzing.
Integrating external data with Copilot extends the scope of analyzing, enabling organizations to gain a holistic view of their operations, customers, and competitive landscape. 
Here's why connecting external data with Copilot is crucial:
External data sources provide valuable context that enriches internal datasets. Companies can improve their understanding of customers, competition, and opportunities by using external information.
This information can include market trends, consumer behavior, and industry standards. By analyzing this data, companies can gain insights into what customers desire and potential risks they may face.
Having access to different types of outside information helps make decisions based on real-world situations. Organizations can make better decisions by using external data. For example, they can adjust marketing plans based on social media feedback.
They can also enhance supply chain operations with weather predictions. Ultimately, this leads to improved business results. This leads to better business results.
External data often contains signals and patterns that can enhance predictive analytics and forecasting models. Companies can improve their predictive models by using outside information such as economic data, population trends, and global events.
This can make their models more accurate and reliable. As a result, companies can plan and manage risks more effectively. This helps with planning and managing risks more effectively.
Leveraging external data can provide a competitive edge by uncovering hidden opportunities or early warning signs of potential risks.
By using Copilot, organizations can stay ahead by spotting market trends early and tracking competitors online. Integrating external data helps them stay ahead of the competition.
External data integration fosters innovation by enabling organizations to tap into new sources of insights and inspiration. Companies can find new market groups by analyzing data from outside sources. Additionally, they can generate new ideas for products and services.
External data sources play a critical role in risk management by providing early indicators of potential risks and vulnerabilities.
With Copilot, companies can use external data to anticipate and manage risks like supply chain problems and regulatory shifts. This helps prevent issues from getting worse.
Organizations can use Copilot to connect external data sources. This allows them to access a variety of data-driven insights. You can use these insights for decision-making, planning, and innovation.
By doing this, organizations can enhance their logical capabilities. Organizations can use outside data to discover new opportunities, lower risks, and stay ahead in today's fast-paced environment.
Efficiency and Productivity
Copilot Data Connectors streamline the data integration process, reducing manual effort and time spent on data preparation tasks. This efficiency enables data teams to focus on higher-value activities such as analyzing, modeling, and strategic decision-making.
Data Accessibility and Modification
By bridging data silos and simplifying access to disparate data sources, Copilot Data Connectors democratize data access across organizations. Business users, analysts, and data scientists can get the data they need without needing specialized technical skills.
Connecting external data with Copilot enables you to grow with your changing data needs, providing scalability and flexibility. Whether you're dealing with small-scale datasets or massive data volumes, Copilot's robust infrastructure ensures seamless growth and performance.
Copilot Data Connectors provide real-time insights for organizations. They help organizations access fresh data quickly. This allows them to make decisions faster. It also helps them respond promptly to market changes.
Ability and Affinity
Copilot Data Connectors support a wide range of data platforms and formats, ensuring compatibility with your existing infrastructure and tools. This interoperability eliminates data silos and fosters a cohesive data ecosystem within your organization.
In conclusion, Copilot Data Connectors represent a paradigm shift in data integration, offering unparalleled efficiency, accessibility, and scalability.
Your organization can use connector tools to easily connect data with Copilot for maximum data utilization. This helps them innovate and strategically grow in today's data-focused environment.
In this in-depth guide for purchasing Copilot you'll learn about every licensing option available in detail, along with the demographics each option best suits to choose the perfect plan for you.
“The company discovered there were different “types” of Copilot users. One segment includes creators, researchers, and programmers who want rapid access to the latest generative AI tools.
Another segment includes Microsoft 365 customers who want to leverage Copilot in their apps for personal use. Plus, there are Copilot users who need access to the complete capabilities of Copilot, alongside enterprise data protection, Microsoft Graph grounding, and Copilot in Teams.
As a result, there are now different “Copilot plans” available for each type of user, starting with the introduction of Microsoft Copilot Pro”. -- Android Authority
Freelancers and Hobbyists: Copilot’s Free version is the perfect fit for freelancers and hobbyists who work on projects intermittently. This option allows individuals to access Copilot's capabilities without committing to a fixed monthly subscription, making it cost-effective and highly accessible for users who don’t yet have the need for Copilots complete suite of services.
Small to Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs): SMBs with Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium subscription and small to medium-sized development teams can benefit from Copilot Pro or Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365.
With its predictable monthly subscription fee per user, Copilot Pro offers unlimited access to Copilot's features, enabling teams to collaborate effectively and increase productivity without worrying about variable costs.
If the organization is working heavily with Microsoft 365, then Copilot for Microsoft 365 is the best option to reap all of Copilots benefits within their existing M365 platform.
Large Enterprises: Large enterprises with Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 and complex development environments and stringent security requirements can leverage Copilot for Microsoft 365.
Customizable pricing and features, along with advanced security controls and dedicated support, make Copilot for Microsoft 365 ideal for organizations seeking enterprise-grade solutions tailored to their specific needs.
The "free" Copilot experience for individuals grants access to foundational capabilities, web grounding, and commercial data protection. However, users do not have access to Copilot features within tools like Word, PowerPoint, or Teams.
Free users can utilize Copilot in specific solutions, such as Bing Chat and Bing Chat Enterprise.
Considering upgrading from the free version of Copilot to the monthly Copilot Pro subscription for $20? If you're a casual Copilot user and satisfied with the performance and features of the free version, there's no pressing need to upgrade.
However, if you frequently use Microsoft Office applications, the decision becomes more nuanced. Copilot Pro unlocks AI features within Office, particularly in apps like PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook, which can be truly transformative.
The ability to command Copilot to assist in creating a PowerPoint presentation based on a Word document or email is remarkable and can significantly save time.
If such capabilities align with your needs and preferences, then opting for a Copilot Pro subscription is advisable. While $20 per month may seem steep, we anticipate that Copilot Pro will continue to evolve with additional features over time, potentially increasing its value in the future.
The Copilot Free Plan is particularly beneficial for individuals and small teams who have occasional or moderate needs for AI-driven assistance in software development but do not require access to advanced features or integration with Microsoft Office applications.
Specifically, the following demographics would benefit the most from Copilot's Free Plan:
Freelancers and Hobbyists: Individuals who work on coding projects independently or as a hobby can benefit from the Copilot Free Plan as it provides foundational AI capabilities without the need for a paid subscription.
Students: Students learning to code or working on coding projects for academic purposes can leverage the Copilot Free Plan to access AI-powered coding assistance at no cost.
Small Development Teams: Small teams with limited resources or budgets can utilize the Copilot Free Plan to enhance their coding productivity without incurring additional expenses.
Startups and Bootstrapped Companies: Startups and bootstrapped companies in their early stages of development may find the Copilot Free Plan advantageous as it offers basic AI assistance without requiring a financial commitment.
Overall, the Copilot Free Plan caters to individuals and organizations looking to explore AI-driven coding assistance without the need for advanced features or integration with Microsoft Office applications.
The Copilot Pro Plan is best suited for users and organizations with more extensive needs, particularly those who rely heavily on Microsoft Office applications for their work.
The following demographics would benefit the most from Copilot's Pro Plan:
Professional Developers: Experienced developers and software engineers who work on complex projects and require advanced AI-driven assistance, such as code suggestions, refactoring, and bug fixing, would benefit greatly from the Copilot Pro Plan.
Microsoft Office Users: Individuals and teams who heavily utilize Microsoft Office applications like Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook in their workflow can unlock the full potential of Copilot's integration with Office applications with the Pro Plan. This includes features such as generating PowerPoint presentations based on Word documents or emails, which can significantly save time and enhance productivity.
Companies with Compliance and Security Needs: Enterprises with strict compliance and security requirements can benefit from the advanced security controls and dedicated support offered by the Copilot Pro Plan, ensuring that their coding activities remain secure and compliant with industry standards.
Teams Requiring Priority Support and Collaboration Tools: Organizations that require priority support and advanced collaboration tools, such as centralized billing and management, can take advantage of the Copilot Pro Plan to enhance team collaboration and productivity.
For users wanting to incorporate Copilot into their Microsoft 365 infrastructure, there are many different options to explore which we have broken down below:
For individuals or families subscribed to Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, Copilot Essentials provides access to essential AI-powered features within select Microsoft 365 apps.
With Copilot Essentials, users can enjoy priority access to Copilot and experience faster performance. Additionally, Copilot Essentials accelerates image creation with Designer, making it an ideal choice for personal or household use.
Individuals or families seeking enhanced productivity within select Microsoft 365 apps.
Casual users who do not require extensive AI capabilities but value improved performance and image creation features.
Designed for customers with a Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium subscription, Copilot for Microsoft 365 Business Essentials offers a comprehensive set of AI-powered tools tailored for small to medium-sized businesses.
Users gain access to AI-powered chat with secure access to organizational graphs, enabling efficient communication and collaboration. Additionally, Copilot is seamlessly integrated into Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, enhancing productivity across the organization.
With the ability to customize and extend Copilot using Microsoft Copilot Studio Preview, businesses can adapt the AI assistant to meet their unique needs. Furthermore, Copilot for Microsoft 365 Business Essentials provides enterprise-grade security, privacy, and compliance features, ensuring data protection and regulatory compliance.
Small to medium-sized businesses requiring AI-powered tools for improved communication, collaboration, and productivity.
Organizations seeking enterprise-grade security and compliance features within their AI assistant.
For customers with a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 subscription, Copilot for Microsoft 365 Enterprise Solutions offers advanced AI capabilities tailored for large enterprises.
In addition to AI-powered chat and access to Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps, enterprise users benefit from customizable AI solutions through Microsoft Copilot Studio Preview.
With enterprise-grade security, privacy, and compliance features, Copilot for Microsoft 365 Enterprise Solutions ensures data protection and regulatory compliance at scale.
Large enterprises with complex workflows and extensive AI requirements.
Organizations seeking highly customizable AI solutions with robust security and compliance features.
On March 1st of 2024, Microsoft released the following additional licensing options for Copilot. These licenses for Copilot Sales and Copilot Service will be available for CSP.
Read the graph below to learn more or contact our procurement team at quotes@managedsolution.com.
Choosing the right Copilot pricing plan depends on your specific needs and the Microsoft 365 subscription you currently hold. Whether you're an individual user, a small business, or a large enterprise, there's a Copilot plan tailored to enhance your productivity, collaboration, and security within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
We hope this guide for purchasing copilot will help you evaluate your requirements carefully and select the Copilot plan that best aligns with your goals and priorities.
If you're ready to unlock the full potential of AI-driven productivity tools within Microsoft 365, reach out to our procurement team at quotes@managedsolution.com to learn more, and explore the Copilot pricing plans today with one of our experts.
How ConnectWise Sidekick combines AI and Managed Services to enhance businesses everywhere.
Love is in the air, and at Managed Solution, there’s one thing we’re head over heels for: ConnectWise Sidekick™. As we celebrate the season of love, let us break down the incredible features of this new powerful tool and its many benefits.
Hyper-automation and artificial intelligence come together seamlessly in ConnectWise Sidekick. This powerful tool automates the triage, summarization, and resolution suggestion processes, leading to quicker service ticket resolutions and consistently exceptional customer experiences.
By optimizing ticket management, ConnectWise Sidekick empowers technicians to operate with efficiency and effectiveness. Moreover, it centralizes information access within Microsoft Teams, facilitating streamlined updates across all teams.
ConnectWise Sidekick isn’t just about functionality; it’s also about financial prudence. The cost savings per technician help us manage our budget effectively, ensuring that our resources are utilized optimally.
Specifically, businesses save $1,042 per month by implementing ConnectWise’s Sidekick. Thanks to the power of AI organizations can achieve greater productivity at faster rates and limit the need for internal labor. Optimizing for both growth and overall spend.
ConnectWise Sidekick isn’t just beneficial for MSP’s like Managed Solution; it also extends its advantages to the broader TSP community. Its impact goes beyond our organization, fostering a network of collaboration and support among peers and clients.
ConnectWise Sidekick simplifies workflows with its automation capabilities. It handles routine processes seamlessly, allowing users to focus on tasks that require expertise.
ConnectWise Sidekick helps minimize unnecessary expenses by optimizing resource utilization. Its cost-saving features enables maintenance operational efficiency without compromising on quality.
ConnectWise Sidekick enables swift, accurate solutions to businesses. Its AI-driven insights ensure that teams receive the support they need promptly and effectively.
ConnectWise Sidekick seamlessly integrates with ConnectWise PSA, enhancing the functionality of our platform. Its advanced features enrich our PSA experience, making it more robust and reliable.
ConnectWise Sidekick streamlines our operations by automating manual tasks. Its efficient workflow management allows us to optimize our time and resources effectively.
ConnectWise Sidekick provides valuable insights derived from our PSA data. These insights empower us to make informed decisions that contribute to our clients' satisfaction and our business growth.
In conclusion, ConnectWise Sidekick isn’t just a tool; it’s a strategic asset that enhances operations by combing the power of AI and Managed Services. Its efficiency-driven approach, cost-saving features, and collaborative benefits make it an invaluable addition to our toolkit.
Ready to fall in love with the full potential of ConnectWise Sidekick? Contact us today and let’s explore the possibilities together.
In today's era of digital transformation, businesses recognize the strategic importance of AI implementation (Artificial Intelligence) to maintain a competitive edge.
Managed Solution, a trailblazer in innovative technology solutions, introduces a robust six-stage methodology designed to seamlessly integrate AI into customer environments. The steps of Collect, Cleanse, Condition, Comply, Compute and Connect are important for successfully integrate AI.
The 'Collect' stage focuses on identifying and consolidating data scattered across various sources. This initial step ensures a comprehensive understanding of the data landscape, laying the groundwork for a successful AI implementation.
The 'Cleanse' stage focuses on data quality by removing errors, duplicates, and ensuring accurate and reliable data. A robust cleansing process is crucial for obtaining meaningful and actionable AI-driven insights.
In the 'Condition' stage, Managed Solution ensures the implementation and updating of information protection policies. This involves measures to safeguard data integrity, confidentiality, and availability, establishing a secure data environment crucial for successful AI implementation.
The 'Comply' stage goes beyond protection to compliance. We label and classify data to follow rules and regulations. This step is particularly vital for industries with strict compliance requirements, such as healthcare and finance.
The 'Compute' stage involves leveraging Microsoft Graph and Microsoft 365 Applications to seamlessly integrate data sources with AI systems. This integration is pivotal for creating a unified data environment that facilitates efficient AI-driven insights.
The final 'Connect' stage marks the culmination of Managed Solution's methodology. Algorithms smoothly incorporate AI skills into the customer's setup, improving responses and predictions.
By leveraging the power of AI, organizations can unlock valuable insights, automate processes, and make informed decisions. Managed Solution's six-stage methodology offers a comprehensive framework for organizations looking to seamlessly implement AI in their environments.
Every step is crucial for a smooth transition to an AI-driven future. This includes gathering data, following rules, and implementing AI. Businesses can fully utilize AI, innovate, and stay ahead in technology by following this methodology.
Our vision for Microsoft Copilot is to bring the power of generative AI to everyone across work and life. Customers like Visa, BP, Honda, and Pfizer, and partners like Accenture, KPMG, and PwC are already using Copilot to transform the way they work, and 40% of the Fortune 100 participated in the Copilot Early Access Program.
We are updating our Microsoft Copilot product line-up with a new Copilot Pro subscription for individuals; expanding Copilot for Microsoft 365 availability to small and medium-sized businesses; and announcing no seat minimum for commercial plans—making Copilot generally available to individuals, enterprises, and everyone in between.
Read on for all the details.
Copilot for Microsoft 365 enables users to enhance their creativity, productivity, and skills.
First, we are announcing an update to our Copilot product line-up: Copilot Pro—a new Copilot subscription for individuals priced at $20 per individual per month.
Copilot Pro has foundational capabilities in a single experience that runs across your devices and understands your context on the web, on your PC, across your apps, and soon on your phone to bring the right skills to you when you need them. And it has web grounding, so it always has access to the latest information. When you’re signed into Copilot with your Microsoft Entra ID, you get commercial data protection for free—which means chat data isn’t saved, Microsoft has no eyes-on access, and your data isn’t used to train the models.
Copilot Pro provides priority access to the very latest models—starting with OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo. You’ll have access to GPT-4 Turbo during peak times for faster performance and, coming soon, the ability to toggle between models to optimize your experience how you choose. Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers can use Copilot in Word, Excel (currently in Preview and English only), PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote on PC, and soon on Mac and iPad. It includes enhanced AI image creation with Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator) for faster, more detailed image quality as well as landscape image format. And Copilot Pro gives you the ability to build your own Copilot GPT—a pre-customized Copilot tailored for a specific topic—in our new Copilot GPT Builder (coming soon) with just a simple set of prompts.
MICROSOFT COPILOT STUDIO
While Copilot Pro is our best experience for individuals, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is our best experience for organizations. Copilot for Microsoft 365 gives you the same priority access to the very latest models. You get Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams—combined with your universe of data in the Microsoft Graph. It has enterprise-grade data protection which means it inherits your existing Microsoft 365 security, privacy, identity, and compliance policies. And it also includes Copilot Studio, so organizations can customize Copilot for Microsoft 365 and build their own custom copilots and plugins as well as manage and secure their customizations and standalone copilots with the right access, data, user controls, and analytics.
Here’s a summary of the updated Copilot product line-up:
THE COPILOT SYSTEM
To empower every organization to become AI-powered, we are making three changes. First, we are removing the 300-seat purchase minimum for Copilot for Microsoft 365 commercial plans. Second, we are removing the Microsoft 365 prerequisite for Copilot—so now, Office 365 E3 and E5 customers are eligible to purchase. We’re also extending Semantic Index for Copilot to Office 365 users with a paid Copilot license. Semantic Index works with the Copilot System and the Microsoft Graph to create a sophisticated map of all the data and content in your organization—enabling Microsoft 365 Copilot to deliver personalized, relevant, and actionable responses. Third, we are excited to announce that Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now generally available for small and medium-sized businesses—from solopreneurs running and launching their first business to 300-person fast-growing startups. If you are using either Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you can now purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365 for $30 per user per month.1
Small and medium-sized businesses are the heart of every community and the lifeblood of local economies. They have an outsized impact on the world and markets they support—in the United States, this category accounts for 99.9% of business and employs nearly half of the workforce.2
These businesses stand to gain the most from this era of generative AI—and Copilot is uniquely suited to meet their needs. Small and medium-sized business owners report that communicating with customers takes up most of their time (66%), with managing budgets (50%) and administrative tasks (48%) not far behind.3 Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help reduce this daily grind, giving business owners valuable time back to focus on what matters most: growing their business. And with the Microsoft Copilot Copyright Commitment, small business owners can trust that they are working with a reliable partner. Small and medium-sized business customers that have Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium can learn how to purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365 via our website or by contacting a partner.
We have been learning alongside small and medium-sized business customers in our Copilot Early Access Program. Here’s what they’re saying about how Copilot for Microsoft 365 is already transforming their work.
“I love that it’s in our environment. It’s able to cross-pollinate and gather information from all of the data we’ve got in Microsoft 365. As a business owner, that’s really important to me because it keeps our people working inside our systems.”
—James Hawley, CEO and Founder at NextPath Career Partners
“I do believe that there isn’t a single job position in the company that won’t benefit in some way from Copilot being available to them.”
—Alex Wood, Senior Cloud Engineer at Floww
“Copilot accurately summarizes the call and meeting notes in minutes. That’s not just faster, it means callers can add more value to the discussion rather than just take notes.”
—Philip Burridge, Director, Operations and Strategy at Morula Health
Commercial customers—including small and medium-sized businesses—can now purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365 through our network Cloud Solution Provider partners (CSPs). This means Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now available across all our sales channels. CSPs have served as trusted advisors to their customers, unlocking profitability for businesses and expanding their own capabilities. Learn more about Cloud Solution Provider partners.
These announcements come just one month after we announced that we are making Copilot for Microsoft 365 generally available to education customers with Microsoft 365 A3 or A5 faculty, and we’re expanding that to include Office 365 A3 or A5 faculty with no seat minimum. While education licenses are not yet included in the CSP expansion announced today, we will share updates in the coming months. It’s all part of our vision to empower everyone—from individuals to global enterprises—for an AI-powered world.
Learn more about Microsoft Copilot and visit the Copilot for Work site for actionable guidance on how you can start transforming work with Copilot today.
Learn more about how Copilot for Microsoft 365 for small and medium-sized businesses, including next steps licensing and technical requirements, and get familiar with Copilot capabilities.
Visit WorkLab for critical research and insights on how generative AI is transforming work.
Copilot helps you achieve things like never before using the power of AI.
1Copilot for Microsoft 365 may not be available for all markets and languages. To purchase, enterprise customers must have a license for Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 or Office 365 E3 or E5, and business customers must have a license for Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium.
Copilot is currently supported in the following languages: English (US, GB, AU, CA, IN), Spanish (ES, MX), Japanese, French (FR, CA), German, Portuguese (BR), Italian, and Chinese Simplified. We plan to support the following languages (in alphabetical order) over the first half of 2024: Arabic, Chinese Traditional, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (PT), Russian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, and Ukrainian.
2U.S. Small Business Administration. (2023). Frequently Asked Questions.
3Wakefield Research. (2023). Microsoft study: Small businesses intrigued by AI and the opportunities it brings.
As we bid farewell to another year, it's the perfect time to reflect on the past and set our sights on the future. For IT departments, embracing the new year often involves reevaluating strategies, streamlining processes, and leveraging innovative solutions.
As a passionate team of IT experts that champion all the ways in which bolstering IT can benefit businesses everywhere, we're so excited to guide you through some New Year resolutions that can revitalize your IT approach and bring success in 2024.
Resolution: Embrace the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in our IT operations to enhance efficiency and decision-making processes.
Why: AI technologies, such as machine learning and predictive analytics, can revolutionize how we manage and optimize IT resources. By leveraging AI, we can automate routine tasks, gain insights from data, and make proactive decisions that contribute to the overall success of our IT initiatives.
Resolution: Embrace automation to streamline repetitive tasks and enhance operational efficiency.
Why: Automation can significantly reduce manual efforts, minimize errors, and accelerate processes. By identifying opportunities for automation in routine tasks, we can free up valuable time for our IT teams to focus on more strategic initiatives, leading to a more agile and responsive IT environment.
Resolution: In 2024, commit to optimizing our cloud infrastructure for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Why: Cloud technology is dynamic and ever evolving. Ensuring that our cloud services are optimized will enhance performance, reduce costs, and allow us to take full advantage of the latest features.
Resolution: Strengthen our cybersecurity posture to safeguard against evolving threats.
Why: As cyber threats become more sophisticated, prioritizing cybersecurity is crucial. Implementing robust measures, such as regular security audits and employee training, will fortify our defenses.
Resolution: Transition to proactive monitoring for early issue detection and swift resolution.
Why: Reactive approaches can lead to downtime and disruptions. Proactive monitoring ensures that potential issues are identified and addressed before they impact operations.
Resolution: Develop a plan to systematically upgrade legacy systems to modern, efficient solutions.
Why: Outdated systems pose security risks and hinder performance. Upgrading to the latest technologies ensures we stay competitive, secure, and aligned with industry standards.
Resolution: Conduct a thorough review of IT budgets to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising performance.
Why: Efficient budget allocation is essential for achieving business objectives. Identifying and eliminating unnecessary expenses will optimize our IT spend.
Interested in learning more? Check out our blog on Software Sprawl.
Resolution: Implement or enhance collaboration tools to boost team productivity.
Why: Effective communication and collaboration are cornerstones of success. Integrating advanced collaboration tools will empower our teams to work seamlessly, irrespective of location.
You can learn more by reading our blog on Microsoft viva or click here to see all of the powerful collaboration tools and services we offer to amplify your team’s engagement and productivity.
Resolution: Prioritize ongoing training to keep our IT teams well-versed in the latest technologies.
Why: The tech landscape evolves rapidly. Investing in continuous training ensures that our teams are equipped with the skills needed to navigate emerging trends.
Here are some resources for internal training:
You can also access our past webinars for expert walkthrough on various tools and technologies that all IT teams should know.
Resolution: Stay abreast of the latest Microsoft solutions and integrate them into our IT ecosystem.
Why: Microsoft offers a suite of powerful solutions. Regularly exploring and adopting new tools can enhance productivity and keep us at the forefront of technological innovation.
Learn more about Microsoft tools and services that you can access through our trusted team.
As we step into 2024, let's embark on a journey of IT excellence. These resolutions serve as a roadmap for a successful and technologically advanced year. If you're ready to turn these resolutions into reality, our team at Managed Solution is here to support you every step of the way. Here's to a year of innovation, efficiency, and IT success!
Chat with an expert about your business’s technology needs.
