Copilot for Microsoft 365 Now Available to Small and Midsized Businesses

Small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are the engines of our economy — employing more than 77% of American workers. With such importance, we questioned why Microsoft initially excluded these essential players from the benefits of Copilot in Microsoft 365. Well, question no more. In an exciting development for SMBs, we are thrilled to announce the extended availability of Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 users. Previously limited to larger enterprises, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now available to businesses of all sizes (and individuals and families too). As a bonus — Copilot was given some fabulous new features. Here’s what’s new and what it means to your SMB.

Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Available to SMBs

Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 is an innovative, AI-powered chatbot that facilitates productivity and innovation in the workplace, and it is now generally available for smaller businesses with Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Business Standard. 40% of the Fortune 100 participated in Microsoft’s Early Access Program for Copilot, and now enterprise customers like Visa, BP, Honda, Pfizer, and partners like Accenture, KPMG, and PwC are actively using it. Its introduction to SMBs is a significant step forward, allowing organizations to streamline operations and foster creativity without needing large enterprise resources.

Key Benefits of Copilot for Microsoft for SMBs:

No Minimum Seat Requirement: Removing the 300-seat minimum for commercial plans makes Copilot accessible to businesses of all sizes, including Office 365 E3 and E5 customers.

Affordable Pricing: With a cost-effective pricing model, you can purchase between one and 299 seats at $30 per person per month, making advanced AI accessible to companies with smaller budgets.

Partner Network Access: SMBs can acquire Copilot through Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider partners (like Velosio), ensuring easy access and integration into their existing systems.

Integration With Popular Tools: Copilot for Microsoft 365 integrates seamlessly with popular tools such as Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This integration helps your employees by automating routine tasks, analyzing data more efficiently, and generating creative content effortlessly.

Copilot Pro and Personal/Family Subscriptions

While our primary focus is on SMBs, the broader scope of Microsoft’s announcement is worth noting. The launch of Copilot Pro offers advanced features for power users and creators, and its availability to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers marks a new era of AI accessibility for individuals and families. This broader rollout demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to democratizing AI technology, making it available across various user segments. Read more about Copilot Pro.

New Copilot Features Unveiled

In addition to making Copilot available to a broader audience, Microsoft has also dropped in some exciting new features. Here’s what’s new:

Copilot GPTs

We’re thrilled to see Microsoft introduce Copilot GPTs, a new feature allowing you to tailor Microsoft Copilot’s functionality around your specific interests. Immediately, they are rolling out a selection of purpose-built Copilot GPTs, focusing on areas like fitness, travel, and cooking. Soon, Copilot Pro subscribers can craft their own Copilot GPTs using the innovative Copilot GPT Builder. We’ll share the details in this blog section as they become available.

Copilot Mobile App

The Copilot experience is now mobile with the launch of the Copilot app for Android and iOS. The app brings the full power of Copilot to mobile devices, seamlessly syncing your queries and chats between your phone and PC. The Copilot mobile app is a portable powerhouse with features like GPT-4, Dall-E 3 for image creation and the option to incorporate images from your phone in chats. You can download it from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Copilot Integration in the Microsoft 365 Mobile App

Enhancing the mobile experience further, Copilot is landing in the Microsoft 365 mobile app for Android and iOS users with a Microsoft account. Rolling out over the next month, this addition allows you to easily access Copilot within the app, facilitating the creation and export of content to Word or PDF documents. Get the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to start harnessing the power of Copilot on your mobile device.

The Impact on SMBs

The introduction of Microsoft Copilot to SMBs is particularly significant. Small and midsize businesses often face unique challenges, such as limited resources and the need for efficient multitasking. Copilot is a powerful ally, enabling these businesses to compete on a larger scale by optimizing their operations and fostering innovation.

Copilot’s AI capabilities can transform how your SMB’s teams approach tasks and projects. From generating detailed reports in Word to analyzing complex Excel datasets and creating compelling PowerPoint presentations, Copilot can significantly reduce the time and effort required for these activities. This efficiency allows SMBs to focus more on strategic initiatives and growth opportunities.

Let Velosio Help You Land Copilot’s Benefits

The availability of Microsoft Copilot for all Microsoft 365 users marks a turning point in how businesses of all sizes utilize AI. We’ve been working with (and writing about) Copilot since its initial introduction in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, then Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

How can Copilot affect your company’s workflow and goals? Contact us to learn the benefits of Copilot and how it can impact your company’s workflow for the better.