{"id":4476,"date":"2024-08-02T16:45:15","date_gmt":"2024-08-02T16:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pax8.com\/blog\/?p=4476"},"modified":"2024-08-02T16:45:15","modified_gmt":"2024-08-02T16:45:15","slug":"copilot-pilot-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pax8.com\/blog\/copilot-pilot-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Stuck on where to start with Copilot for Microsoft 365? Try a pilot program."},"content":{"rendered":"

As a managed service provider (MSP), implementing Microsoft 365 and Copilot for Microsoft 365 are key to unlocking greater efficiency, increased productivity, and other benefits<\/a> for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). A crucial part of the Copilot preparation process<\/a> involves starting with a Copilot pilot program (say that five times fast). This entails enabling a small team and training them on specific functions to get targeted feedback.<\/p>\n

In this blog, we\u2019ll detail everything you need to know when launching a pilot program for Copilot.<\/p>\n

The impact of Copilot<\/h2>\n

The benefits of incorporating AI through tools such as Copilot are clear. This is not just adding a product to the client’s tech stack, but rather, it signifies a technological shift in the organization.<\/p>\n

In fact, according to one report<\/a>, 75% of knowledge workers are currently already using AI at work. The benefits to workers include time savings (90%), the ability to focus on their most important work (85%), more creativity (84%), and greater enjoyment in their work (83%).<\/p>\n

However, not everyone at the organization needs a full Copilot license on Day 1. Starting with a handful of employees in a Copilot pilot program helps you and your clients keep costs down while maximizing impact.<\/p>\n

Tips for a successful Copilot pilot program<\/h2>\n

When it comes to your pilot program, planning is key. Start with a pilot project that includes Copilot champions from a specific user group or groups, allowing you to report and repeat on your pilot user progress as further adoption plans are made.<\/p>\n

Steps for a successful pilot project include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Onboard<\/strong> \u2013 Engage users in a guided training session for real-world Copilot use.<\/li>\n
  2. Encourage communication<\/strong> \u2013 Establish a Teams channel for the pilot program to enable collaboration and sharing.<\/li>\n
  3. Monitor usage<\/strong> \u2013 Encourage regular Copilot use by allocating time for users to explore and share their discoveries with the group.<\/li>\n
  4. Collect and share feedback<\/strong> \u2013 Review usage and feedback before widely sharing with the organization.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Who should be a part of the pilot program?<\/h2>\n

    You’re all set to start a Copilot pilot program, but which employees should you choose? To start, look at current usage trends. The organization\u2019s heaviest users of Microsoft 365 products will be well positioned to reap the benefits of a Copilot license.<\/p>\n

    Next, define the use cases for your pilot program. The team you choose should have a clearly defined goal or specific way they\u2019ll implement Copilot, such as writing meeting recaps or drafting emails. This extra layer of specificity ensures it\u2019s effectively integrated into workflows across various roles and levels.<\/p>\n

    Lastly, you\u2019ll want to allocate Copilot to an entire team within a specific business function to avoid distributing licenses too thinly. When a group within the same job function have access to Copilot, it\u2019s easier to share insights and learn from each other. And the more employees in the pilot program use Copilot consistently and effectively while feeling empowered to share what they\u2019ve learned, the more impactful it will be to introduce Copilot to the greater organization.<\/p>\n

    Copilot use cases<\/h2>\n

    Take a look at how Copilot is used across different departments to help you better ascertain who should be in a pilot program and how Copilot can be used after it\u2019s completed.<\/p>\n

    Human resources<\/h3>\n

    Employees in HR can use Copilot to:<\/p>\n