A good place to start is with a fundamental understanding between the differences between Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365. Yep, they are two different products. If you’re already confused, just bear with me. This article will outline the differences.

What is Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is the evolution of Bing Chat/Bing Chat Enterprise, designed to make daily digital tasks easier and more efficient for everyone with a Microsoft account. Dubbed by Microsoft as “Your everyday AI companion”, this AI-driven tool is accessible to all users, not just enterprise customers (as long as you have some kind of Microsoft account), and does not require a separate license.

How to Access Microsoft Copilot

You can use Copilot in your Edge browser, and it also supports Chrome. Access copilot.microsoft.com in your browser and sign in with a Microsoft Account .

Beneficial Features of Microsoft Copilot

Once you’ve singed in, you’ll notice a number of options you can choose from. Let’s hone in on the features that will benefit your business.  

Key Features:

  • Image Generation: Copilot Image Generation can help your team create and manipulate images with ease. Leveraging Copilot within Power Pages provides creators with a smooth method for accessing recommended images from a stock library and seamlessly incorporating them into their webpages. This streamlined solution simplifies the process of captivating your audience by enhancing your webpages with striking stock images.
  • Content Generation: Effortlessly generate content for emails and documents. Copilot’s content generation feature offers a swift and intelligent solution for creating high-quality, contextually relevant text. This accelerates content production, ensuring consistency and coherence in messaging. Copilot’s real-time suggestions streamline communication efforts, from marketing copy to social media content, enhancing overall efficiency.
  • PDF Document Handling: The feature allows users to Work with PDF documents in a streamlined manner. It enables the ability to easily extract, manipulate, and generate content within PDFs, enhancing collaboration and editing capabilities. Additionally, the intelligent suggestions make navigating and editing PDFs more efficient, allowing users to seamlessly integrate information into their workflows.

Copilot for Microsoft 365: The Professional Upgrade

Copilot for Microsoft 365 takes the functionality of Microsoft Copilot and integrates it deeply into the Microsoft 365 suite. It offers up a more robust set of tools for professional users to help drive efficiency for businesses.

Beneficial Features of Microsoft 365 Copilot

  • Integrated with Microsoft 365 Apps: Functions seamlessly with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams- enhancing productivity and workflow continuity. Copilot and Microsoft 365 apps work together to help businesses improve their work processes and create a more efficient digital environment.
  • Enhanced Productivity Features: This feature is specifically Tailored for professional environments.  It helps users generate ideas for PowerPoint slides, manage email content, and more.
  • Secured Data Handling: Ensures secure interaction with browser content and PDF documents, crucial for enterprise use. With advanced encryption protocols and stringent data access controls, Copilot ensures the confidentiality and integrity of user data, instilling confidence in businesses that their critical information is well-protected.
  • The Protection Feature: If you are logged into a business account, the “Protected” feature will prevent information in your tenant from being tapped. It creates a commercially protected experience, where Microsoft is not gathering data to train their AI model. This protected environment fosters a secure collaboration space, assuring users that their intellectual property and personal data are handled with utmost care.

Microsoft Copilot Studio: Expanding Capabilities

Microsoft Copilot Studio is an additional layer that expands the capabilities of Microsoft Copilot. This add-in brings a more creative and expansive suite of tools to the already powerful base of Microsoft Copilot. Included with the Microsoft 365 Copilot. this piece allows you to create your own Copilots. By creating your own Copilot. users can search and interact with your proprietary content, documents or SharePoint site, without influence from outside sources.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, Microsoft’s Copilot tools, encompassing Microsoft Copilot and Copilot for Microsoft 365, present a dynamic range of features to enhance productivity and creativity. From accessible AI assistance in daily tasks to advanced capabilities seamlessly integrated into Microsoft 365, these tools cater to both casual users and professionals. The inclusion of Microsoft Copilot Studio further expands possibilities, allowing users to customize their Copilot experience. In essence, Microsoft’s Copilot suite offers a versatile and powerful solution for diverse digital tasks.

 

 

Rolando Jimenez

Rolando is a Modern Work and Security Pre-Sales Engineer. Located in Seattle, WA, Rolando works to help customers embrace modern technology while improving security and employee experience. A husband and father to five children, he is always looking to improve and grow personally and professionally.