Hey Business Leader, there’s more power at your fingertips than ever before—here’s how to harness it.
Modernization looks different for every business, and today’s leaders are eager to understand what that means for their companies and their roles within them. One thing is for certain: AI and automation are at the forefront of this conversation for every leader, but there’s much more than meets the AI, if you will.
Today, we’ll explore the hidden superpowers lying at the intersection of Artificial and Emotional Intelligence for leadership. Moreover, we’ll look at how embracing tech innovation and fostering connections enables leaders to unlock new potential and drive meaningful change.
1. CEOs Growing Interest in AI
2. Implementing Automation in Business
3. Challenges and Solutions in Implementation
4. The Impact of Remote Work and Technology
5. Building a Community and Culture
6. The Role of Business in the Community
7. The Future of Technology and Business
Automation and advanced technologies are no longer confined to IT departments—they’ve become critical tools for scaling businesses and improving efficiency across the board. CEOs now see these tools as drivers of strategic outcomes rather than back-office functions. The ability to analyze data, streamline operations, and make smarter decisions faster has piqued the interest of many top executives.
With these technologies, business leaders have a powerful opportunity to implement continuous improvement across every facet of their operations. From predictive analytics to automating routine tasks, these tools enable companies to adapt quickly in a competitive market, making them crucial parts of a CEO’s toolkit for success.
As advanced technologies become more accessible, many CEOs are asking how they can integrate these innovations into their business models. These tools help leaders make better decisions by analyzing centralized data, transforming it from disparate systems into actionable insights that guide business strategies.
The key to successful implementation lies in understanding both the technology and the business itself. IT leadership must identify gaps and opportunities where these tools can provide value. This is why it is essential for CEOs to maintain a close connection to their IT teams, as this alignment ensures that solutions are tailored to the company’s unique goals.
When business needs are clear, the right technology solutions emerge—whether that’s automating customer service, optimizing supply chains, or enhancing marketing efforts.
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| Advanced technologies aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. They require a deep understanding of specific business processes, and hesitancy in adopting them can hinder progress. This is where expert partnerships become invaluable.
Trusted technology partners can help navigate the complexities of integration, ensuring businesses implement the right solutions for their unique challenges. When leadership lacks clarity, finding the right solution becomes more challenging. Each company’s culture, vision, and processes are different, and the leadership’s ability to articulate these specifics can make or break an implementation. CEOs who invest time in understanding their technological needs set their businesses up for success. For more insights, check out our very own CEO, Sean Ferrel share his take in this episode on the Conscious Curiosity SD Podcast, where he highlights many of the points discussed here such as AI Implementation, Cybersecurity, Community Building and so much more. |
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With the rise of advanced technologies, cybersecurity has become more critical than ever. Cybercriminals are now using sophisticated tools to launch more advanced attacks, often targeting smaller businesses to access larger networks.
Here it's important to understanding that these technologies are not just about efficiency--they are also key elements in protecting their business. Advanced tools can detect and respond to cybersecurity threats faster than any human can, identifying vulnerabilities and fixing issues before they become major problems.
By integrating AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, businesses can protect their data, safeguard their operations, and maintain customer trust. Sign up for our upcoming webinar here to learn more about the how's and why's of AI and Cybersecurity.
The shift to remote work has permanently changed the IT landscape. Remote support has become more efficient and cost-effective, enabling businesses to provide seamless assistance to employees regardless of location. Managed IT services ensure that companies maintain security and compliance standards while supporting a nationwide workforce. Managed IT services provide a proactive approach to compliance audits and monitoring.
They also have access to resources with specialized skill sets. According to ISC2’s 2023 Cyber Workforce Study, 67% of organizations have a shortage of needed cybersecurity staff, and 92% have a skills gap in cybersecurity1. Managed IT services help bridge these gaps, ensuring companies maintain security and compliance standards while supporting a nationwide workforce1.
With remote work on the rise, CEOs must consider how automation and advanced technologies can optimize their IT operations. Companies with a national footprint are better positioned to support their employees and clients across the country, ensuring they remain competitive in an increasingly digital world.
While technology is advancing rapidly, the human aspect of business remains just as important. CEOs must balance technological innovation with emotional intelligence (EQ) to foster a strong sense of community within their organizations. Even as automation increases workplace efficiency, human connection is crucial to building resilient teams.
Creating a sense of safety and community, both internally and externally, strengthens business relationships. Technology can help facilitate this, but it’s the leadership’s understanding of emotional intelligence and human capacity that drives real success. Building a culture of openness, empathy, and collaboration allows businesses to thrive in the digital age.
Furthermore, as businesses adapt to remote and hybrid workforces, the challenges of hiring and managing teams have evolved. While remote work offers flexibility, it also demands that CEOs focus on hiring employees with strong integrity and soft skills, such as curiosity and humility, before honing-in on technical abilities.
This balanced approach ensures that teams are adaptable, innovative, and well-equipped to handle the challenges of a remote environment.
Business leaders are increasingly focused on making a positive impact in their communities. By coming together at conferences, events, and leadership forums, CEOs can address community issues and drive meaningful change.
Involvement in community initiatives not only enhances a company’s reputation but also reinforces its commitment to the well-being of employees, customers, and society. CEOs who take an active role in their communities create businesses that are not only successful but also socially conscious and aligned with the needs of the world around them.
Looking ahead, the future of automation and advanced technologies in business is both exciting as it is filled with responsibility. There’s a valid concern about the impact on jobs, but businesses must also consider how to protect their data and ensure that technology serves the needs of humans, not the other way around.
The key lies in striking a balance between embracing innovation and safeguarding the people and processes that drive business success. In the future, these technologies will continue to create business outcomes, but they will also challenge leaders to stay ahead of the curve.
Leaders who focus on both the technological and emotional aspects of their leadership will be better equipped to navigate this future and lead their companies to new heights. As technology and emotional intelligence converge, modern CEOs have more power at their fingertips than ever before.
By embracing automation, a people-first approach, and fostering connections, today’s business leaders can scale their operations, protect their businesses, and create a lasting, positive impact on their communities.
As businesses increasingly prioritize AI-driven productivity, Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2 is now here to set the standard for integrating advanced AI into core business functions.
Following its successful initial rollout, Copilot has enabled over 400 million users to optimize how they manage documents, data, and workflows. Wave Two of Microsoft 365 Copilot introduces groundbreaking updates that take this transformation to the next level.
If you’re a business leader looking to advance your organization with the power of AI, this blog will serve as a perfect outline to help you understand how you can do just that with Microsoft’s latest and greatest version of Copilot.
Wave Two represents a significant leap in the capabilities of Copilot, aligning tightly with the strategic needs of organizations seeking to maximize efficiency and harness AI for smarter decision-making. Below are the key advancements:
Overview: Pages introduces a dynamic AI-driven workspace that unifies web content and internal work artifacts into a single, actionable canvas. This reimagined knowledge layer gives users the ability to turn unstructured data into actionable insights, enabling ideation and collaboration at scale.
Leadership Insight: For decision-makers, this feature presents the ability to quickly distill vast amounts of information, making strategic planning more data-driven and responsive.
Key Technical Advantage: Pages integrates across various Microsoft 365 applications, providing a seamless connection between external data (like market analysis) and internal resources (such as project plans), allowing IT leaders to make faster, more informed decisions.
Overview: Microsoft 365 Copilot now embeds deeper into essential tools like Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, enhancing everyday workflows without disrupting user experience.
Leadership Insight: New features such as Python integration in Excel allows organizations to run advanced analytics directly within the platform, while Narrative Builder in PowerPoint leverages AI to create data-driven presentations in a fraction of the time. Additionally, Prioritize My Inbox in Outlook uses AI to manage the flow of communications, filtering and flagging critical messages in real time.
Key Technical Advantage: These updates offer a tighter integration with existing processes, allowing technology leaders to drive operational efficiency by combining Copilot’s AI capabilities with their organization’s unique workflows and data.
Overview: Copilot’s evolution into an enterprise orchestration layer addresses the need for smoother cross-application workflows. Siloed systems are now augmented by Copilot Agents, which automate complex business processes, such as project approvals, reporting, or resource allocation.
Leadership Insight: This orchestration reduces manual tasks and empowers technical teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
Key Technical Advantage: Copilot Agents enable seamless automation across multiple business systems, reducing inefficiencies and freeing up valuable IT resources to focus on innovation.
Microsoft 365 Copilot’s ability to learn and evolve from continuous customer feedback is a key differentiator in the market. Microsoft’s collaboration with nearly 1,000 organizations has led to over 700 product updates and 150 new features. The switch to GPT-4 ensures faster processing times, and improvements in user interaction have significantly enhanced satisfaction rates.
Key Technical Advantage: Copilot’s adaptability allows organizations to continuously refine their AI-driven processes, ensuring alignment with evolving business goals and technology requirements.
As we look toward the future, the integration of AI within business operations will become increasingly sophisticated and pervasive.
Microsoft 365 Copilot is at the forefront of this transformation, offering tools that not only enhance current workflows but also prepare organizations for the evolving landscape of AI-driven work.
The future of AI in business lies in its ability to adapt to specific organizational needs. With these latest Microsoft Copilot updates is designed to integrate business-specific AI models, allowing companies to create highly personalized workflows.
Customization capabilities will ensure that AI tools are not just generic solutions but are tailored to address unique challenges and opportunities within each organization.
AI will play a crucial role in breaking down silos and enhancing collaboration across departments and teams. With tools like Biz Chat, employees can interact with their entire organizational knowledge base, surfacing key insights that drive business strategy and innovation.
This level of connectivity ensures that valuable information is accessible to all, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
The ability to make data-driven decisions quickly and accurately will be a defining feature of successful organizations in the AI era. Microsoft 365 Copilot’s advanced analytics and AI-driven insights enable leaders to distill vast amounts of data into actionable strategies.
Not only will this improve the speed and quality of decision-making but it will also ensure that strategies are grounded in real-time data and trends.
One of the key advantages of using Microsoft 365 Copilot for business workflows is its ability to evolve based on continuous customer feedback. This iterative improvement process ensures that the tool remains aligned with the latest business needs and technological advancements.
As AI technology progresses, Copilot will incorporate new features and capabilities, ensuring that organizations are always equipped with cutting-edge tools.
The shift towards a digital-first approach is inevitable, and AI will be at the heart of this transformation. Microsoft 365 Copilot provides the foundation for this shift, enabling organizations to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and make more strategic, data-informed decisions.
By adopting these AI advancements, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and navigate the complexities of the digital landscape with confidence.
In focusing on the aspects listed above, your organization can leverage Microsoft 365 Copilot to not only meet current demands but also prepare for the future of AI-driven business. This proactive approach ensures long-term success and a competitive edge in an increasingly digital world.
Staying at the forefront of these AI advancements will enable your organization to harness Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2 to elevate productivity, streamline workflows, and make more strategic, data-informed decisions.
This new and improved version represents the next step in this journey, offering the tools necessary to meet the increasing complexity of today’s digital-first landscape. Embracing these innovations not only positions your company as a leader in AI adoption but also ensures you are equipped to tackle future challenges with agility and confidence.
Investing in these technologies today translates to a future of sustained growth, giving you a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving business environment.
At Managed Solution we take pride in delivering imperative news about all things Microsoft, AI Productivity tools, business innovation, and technology advancements. For more exclusive content and news be sure to subscribe to our newsletter here.
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.
Our new get started with copilot webinar series is tailored to help you understand how Copilot can be your digital co-pilot, providing intelligent assistance across a variety of tasks.
At the heart of Copilot lies a suite of tools and features engineered to boost productivity across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Whether you are crafting documents, creating presentations, managing emails, or working with spreadsheets, Copilot is there to assist you. It offers intelligent suggestions, customizable templates, insightful analytics, and industry best practices, ensuring that your work is efficient and effective.
Document Creation
With intelligent suggestions and customizable templates, Copilot helps you create professional and polished documents quickly and easily.
No more staring at a blank page—Copilot offers prompts and layout options tailored to your needs.
Presentation Design
Copilot assists in crafting engaging presentations by providing design recommendations, content suggestions, and even slide transitions, making your presentations stand out.
Email Management
Managing a flood of emails can be daunting, but Copilot streamlines this process by categorizing, prioritizing, and even drafting responses, ensuring you stay on top of your inbox.
Data Handling in Spreadsheets
Copilot's advanced analytics and data visualization tools transform raw data into actionable insights. Whether you're creating complex formulas or generating reports, Copilot is your go-to assistant.
Our recorded webinar series is your gateway to unlocking the full potential of Copilot for Microsoft 365. Each session is packed with insights, practical tips, and real-world applications, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of your business.
How to leverage Copilot's intelligent features to streamline your daily tasks.
Practical tips for integrating Copilot into your existing workflows.
Real-world examples of how Copilot solves industry-specific challenges.
Strategies to maximize the benefits of Microsoft 365 with Copilot.
With eight sessions to choose from, covering a wide range of industries and use cases, you'll find the guidance you need to transform your business processes. Each session is tailored to address specific challenges and showcase how Copilot can be effectively utilized in different scenarios.
Session Highlights:
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.
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