Microsoft Makes AI-Powered Copilot Accessible to Businesses of All Sizes

In a significant development for businesses in South Africa, Microsoft has announced the removal of the 300-seat minimum requirement for its AI-powered Copilot for Microsoft 365. Launched in November with enterprise customers needing to commit to at least 300 users, Copilot is now available for businesses of all sizes without any minimum user count. This move is set to democratize access to Microsoft’s advanced AI features and revolutionize the way South African businesses engage with Microsoft 365.

Breaking Down the Changes

1. No Minimum User Requirement

The initial launch of Copilot for Microsoft 365 required businesses to commit to a minimum of 300 users. However, responding to the demand from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Microsoft has eliminated this minimum user restriction. Now, businesses of any size can opt for Copilot for a flat fee of $30 per user, per month.

“Given the demand and interest we’ve heard from small and medium-sized businesses, we’re removing that 300 seat minimum,” says Divya Kumar, global head of marketing for search and AI at Microsoft.

2. Expanded User Base

Microsoft is broadening the scope of Copilot by making it available to a wider audience. Initially tied to specific Microsoft 365 plans, Copilot will now be accessible to Office 365 E3 and E5 customers. Moreover, subscribers of Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium can also purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365 at the same $30 per user, per month rate.

Copilot’s Role in Transforming Productivity

Copilot, powered by GPT-4 from OpenAI, serves as a virtual assistant within Microsoft 365 apps, promising to redefine the document creation and editing experience. The AI assistant appears in a sidebar as a chatbot, ready to assist users with various tasks across Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.

• Document Creation and Editing: Copilot can generate text, alter paragraphs, and facilitate seamless collaboration within documents.
• Presentation Assistance: Users can create PowerPoint presentations based on Word documents, leveraging Copilot’s AI capabilities.
• Teams Integration: Copilot is seamlessly integrated into Teams, allowing users to summarize meetings, even if they arrived late or did not attend.
• Outlook Enhancement: Email threads in Outlook can be summarized, and Copilot can assist in creating draft email responses with various tones and lengths.

Copilot Subscription Options

Microsoft now offers three versions of Copilot:

1. Copilot (Regular):
   • Available free of charge to both consumers and businesses.
   • Functions as a chatbot similar to ChatGPT.
2. Copilot Pro (Consumer):
   • Launched for consumers at a $20 per month premium.
   • Offers advanced AI-powered features inside Office apps and other functionalities.
3. Copilot for Microsoft 365 (Business):
   • Aimed at businesses with a $30 per user, per month pricing.
   • Provides additional premium features catering specifically to business needs.

This move by Microsoft is expected to make AI-driven productivity features more accessible and affordable for South African businesses. With Copilot becoming a pivotal part of the Microsoft 365 experience, it is likely to reshape how businesses approach document creation and collaboration within the Microsoft ecosystem.