Posts

Microsoft 365 Copilot What’s New For 2024

Microsoft 365 Copilot What's Newhttps://www.planet-it.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Copilot-post.jpeg

In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying on top of your workload can be challenging. That’s where Microsoft 365 comes in. This AI-powered productivity tool is designed to help businesses of all sizes work smarter, not harder.

With the removal of the 300-user gap in January, this tool is now available to businesses of all sizes and will allow SMEs/SMBs to engage in the world of generative AI.

What is Microsoft Copilot? 

At its core, Copilot 365 is a sophisticated processing and orchestration engine providing AI assistance. The software combines the power of large language models with data from your Microsoft Graph and the knowledge of the internet to help you work more efficiently. Something that no other tool can currently do. For instance, ChatGPT needs access to business data or the internet hence why the results are limited.

What is new in Copilot? 

Since there has been so much change in January alone for Microsoft 365 Copilot, we list the top 10 list of features which transform the way, you work.

1. Intelligent search

Copilot 365 can help quickly find the information you need, whether it’s in your emails, chats, or documents. With its advanced search capabilities, you can quickly locate the information you need, even if it’s buried deep within your files. You no longer need to be a search wizard to break down the barriers of document locations.

2. Summarisation

Copilot 365 can summarise long documents or emails, so you can quickly get the gist of the content without reading through everything. It saves so much time getting to the core of the text and avoiding all the white noise.

3. Email drafting

Copilot 365 can help you draft emails, saving time and effort. Its advanced natural language processing capabilities can generate well-written emails that convey your message effectively.

4. Document generation

Copilot 365 can help you create documents, such as reports or presentations, using data from your Microsoft Graph. This can save you time and effort, allowing you to focus on more critical tasks. This is so powerful if you are in any role where you often produce reports which require a presentation, Copilot takes the work out of doing it.

5. Task management

Copilot 365 can help keep track of your tasks and deadlines, so you never miss an important deadline. With its advanced task management capabilities, you can easily organise your workload and stay on top of your responsibilities.

6. Meeting Scheduling

Copilot 365 can help you schedule meetings with your colleagues, considering everyone’s availability. With its advanced scheduling capabilities, you can easily find a time that works for everyone without going back and forth with multiple emails. With options like Follow Meeting and Copilot-driven notes, you get so much more from meetings!

7. Language Translation

Copilot 365 can translate text from one language to another, making communicating with colleagues or clients who speak a different language easier. With its advanced translation capabilities, you can easily bridge language barriers and communicate effectively. This is great for working with international partners and clients.

8. Voice commands

Copilot 365 can be controlled using voice commands so that you can work hands-free. With its advanced voice recognition capabilities, you c

an easily interact with the tool using your voice, allowing you to work more efficiently.

9. Personalisation

Copilot 365 can be customised to suit your needs and preferences. With its advanced Personalisation capabilities, you can tailor the tool to your specific requirements, ensuring it works how you want it to.

10. Integration with Microsoft 365

Copilot 365 is fully integrated with Microsoft 365, so you can use it seamlessly with the other tools in your productivity suite. This allows you to work more efficiently, easily switching between different tools without wasting time. No other tool can do this; this is where the power exists

In conclusion, Copilot 365 is a powerful tool that can help businesses of all sizes work more efficiently and effectively. With its AI-powered capabilities and seamless integration with Microsoft 365, it’s a must-have for any business looking to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a small business owner or the head of a large corporation, Copilot 365 can help you work smarter, not harder.

If you want to talk to one of our experts about how we can help you get Copilot Ready, please call 01235 433900 or email [email protected]. If you would like to speak to me directly, you can reach out to me via DM or at [email protected]

 

 

 

 

How to create and implement a cloud strategy

How to Create and Implement a Cloud Strategy

Cloud-based solutions are helping organisations achieve greater agility, efficiency, and innovation, and even increasing end-user satisfaction. That said, moving to the cloud is not always just as simple as clicking a few boxes and pressing go. It can be a drawn-out or complex process. Any cloud migration strategy requires careful planning and execution to ensure a successful outcome and avoid the typical major pitfalls. 

In this article, we will explain what your cloud strategy should include, why you need one, and how to create and implement one for your organisation.  

We will also share some tips and best practices from our experience as a Microsoft Solutions Partner specialising in Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and cloud migration specialist. 

 

What is a cloud strategy? 

A cloud strategy is a concise viewpoint on the role of cloud computing in your organisation. It defines what you want to achieve with the cloud, how you will get there, and how you will measure your progress and results. 

A cloud strategy is different from a cloud implementation plan, which offers the “how” rather than the “what” and “why”. A cloud implementation plan details the specific steps, actions, and resources needed to execute your cloud strategy. 

You need a cloud strategy because it helps you: 

  • Align your cloud solutions with your business goals and user needs. 
  • Communicate your vision and direction to your stakeholders and partners. 
  • Identify and mitigate the potential challenges and risks of cloud adoption. 
  • Optimise your costs and benefits of using the cloud. 
  • Monitor and evaluate your performance and outcomes. 

Cloud Strategy

What if you don’t prepare for the cloud properly? 

Without a clear and coherent cloud strategy, you may end up with: 

  • A complex and expensive technology estate that does not meet your expectations or requirements. 
  • A lack of coordination and collaboration among your teams and departments 
  • A loss of control and visibility over your data and processes 
  • A reduced ability to respond to changing market conditions and customer demands. 

So, where do you start? 

If you have to ask that question, then you probably need a helping hand.  

Feel free to call one of our Cloud Specialist Architects to get the plan rolling. Call 01235 433900 or email [email protected] and ask about a Free Cloud Readiness Assessment.  

Why do so many IT Projects struggle to complete on time and in budget?

IT Project

Project Management is a key skill and resource for any business. I think we can all agree on that. It’s a massive industry full of very clever people with accreditations, degrees and most using the latest, greatest software to make their difficult jobs a lot more streamlined and efficient.

Then why do so many projects fail or go so far over budget?

Go a little further, beyond focusing on project management in general, IT projects are notoriously difficult to plan, budget, execute and deliver within the expected timeframe.

The numbers behind these claims?

  • Almost 1/3 of IT projects go over budget, according to Forbes
  • 1/5 overspend by an eye-watering 200%
  • Overspending is generally tied in with a schedule overrun, 70% longer on average
  • Only 2.5% of projects were completed totally successfully within the original scope, on-time and under budget, according to a PWC study of over 10,000 IT projects.
  • 17% of failed projects threaten the survival of the business.

But what causes these failures? Is it the software? The goals? The approach? All of the above?

IT Project Manager

“Better software must be the answer?”

Let’s put that to bed straightaway. At Planet IT we are constantly approached by companies claiming to have the latest and greatest project management solutions that we can either use ourselves or re-sell to clients. Certainly, the right software package can make a job easier, but it’s a tool to use, nothing more.

“Should everyone be using SCRUM or AGILE techniques?”

Once again, these methods and techniques can help, but are like the software, not going to save your project.

“Unrealistic objectives, lack of set goals or milestones?”

Now you’re thinking along the right lines! It’s not necessarily the poor objectives, missing goals or even scope creep – it’s more the people that set the objectives and allow variance from the plan that’s the problem!

IT Project Management

That’s right, projects struggle to succeed because of the people!

All of the software, tools and tricks are no substitute to a project delivered with proper processes, procedures, monitoring and communication, with a professional approach by an expert in that field.

You wouldn’t ask the best logistics PM to plan and execute an IT Project, just like you wouldn’t ask an IT PM to execute a skyscraper construction plan.

The problem isn’t that it’s an IT project. Complicated technology does not cause the shortfalls, it can be that the wrong people are operating and interacting with tech they cannot handle, poor SoW, Lack of information divulged by the internal project sponsor, senior people within the business changing the scope without understanding the process and the knock on affects, outside factors could even be business requirements change within the project delivery. It could be so many factors and so many reasons why a project can be delayed, changed, late or even fail. It all comes down to proven processes within the Project Management of each stage of the project and ensuring that the whole team fully understands and follows it.

Learning in Practice

Our IT project managers, as well as the top PM’s at other big IT companies, have years of experience behind them. They have delivered countless large and complex tasks. They have become proficient on the job, spending time in the trenches building that competence through actually doing it! They are recruited and nurtured due to their previous successful project experience, their leadership abilities, their communication skills, their ability to work in teams and the basic skills and competencies necessary to complete technology projects successfully.

Evolution

Technology is constantly evolving. We hear that all the time. However, so too is the IT project manager. They grow with the latest tech, software, practices and executions. We regularly see (but rarely ask) our PM’s to complete training in their spare time. They live and breathe their work and thrive on being the best at delivering structured solutions to complex dilemmas.

At Planet IT, we’re very lucky that we are high level partners with the major technology vendors. It means we have access to new training as soon as it’s available. And to the experts who flourish on being the best… well, they feed on the knowledge that they are at the top of their industry and strive to prove it though delivering time and time again.

Project Management

Communicate Clearly and in Time

Pair that technical expertise to the ability to communicate effectively and you’re looking at a very good IT Project Manager.

Some people are genius at what they do. However, sometimes they struggle to get a point across. IT experts often have a bad reputation for talking too technical to people not as technical as they are. It’s a reputation that is unfortunately earned for a reason. Points need to be shared business wide. There are going to be stakeholders that don’t have the expertise of others, but still need to understand how all cogs work together.

Building the right plan, with clear milestones and deliverables is essential. Having just that yet not sharing it succinctly is criminal. As is not sharing updates, wins and any hic-cups that might arise – because they often do, out of anyone’s control.

Unforeseen problems do occur throughout almost all projects, communicating in a timely fashion to the project sponsor, building in captures and following the process when something doesn’t quite go to plan. Change of scope is never good to hear however it’s better to communicate at the source and when the issue occurs rather than sitting on the problem, this helps drive a new albeit slightly different path for the Scope of Work at the earliest point rather than waiting for further problems or longer delays.

The Planet Difference

At Planet IT, we believe in the Planet difference: our experts’ abilities, determination and commitment to the project. They never leave a project unfinished and to always resolve the unexpected, wherever it occurs.

Good PM’s are here to lead the way, ensuring due process is followed and goals are achieved on budget, on time and as expected.

How do we do this?

Strategy – Initial audits, research, and advice
Design – Clear solution designs against business case
Transition – Project approval through to project start and procurement
Operation –Implementation and monitoring
Improvement –Change management and client review

If you’d like to take a closer look at our process, we’re happy to offer a free walk through of our proven project formula for those companies looking at IT changes and might want a professional help – just send me an email to arrange – [email protected]

Similarly, if you’d like to read more about our work, check our our Project Management page or download our Skills Matrix:

PLANET IT SKILLS MATRIX

Project Management Company

Conclusion

Certainly, IT projects are difficult. There are lots of things that can be pointed out as the cause of failure:

  • Clear project process
  • Poorly defined scope
  • No use of formal methods & strategies
  • Lack of communication
  • No defined goals & milestones
  • Failure to track progress
  • Quick and Responsive to necessary changes
  • Ineffective leadership
  • Poor technology
  • Lack of detail
  • Cultural differences

… but what do all of these have in common? The people that deliver the project.

Start there. Get the right, qualified, experienced and proven people to run a project.

Do it right, the first time!

Looking for a technology partner?
Let’s talk

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.