How Microsoft Copilot Secures ERP Data
In episode 44 of the “Inside Dynamics Communities” podcast, Ryan Gonzales, Senior Sales Director of Dynamics Communities and Summit NA, and Pam Misialek, Community Director of Dynamics Communities and Summit NA, are joined by Tristan Threlkeld, Director of Sales and Business Development, Data Courage and Kamil Karbowiak, Managing Director, Data Courage. The four discuss how Copilot can assist with data analysis and vice-versa.
This episode is sponsored by Community Summit North America, the largest independent gathering of the Microsoft Business Applications ecosystem, taking place Oct. 13-17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Register today to connect with thousands of users across the Microsoft business applications ecosystem at the for user, by user event.
Highlights
01:26 — How should users be thinking about Microsoft Copilot? Tristan begins by dissecting the term Copilot, likening it to a second pilot in an aircraft, and emphasizing Copilot’s role in assisting the end-user. He highlights the expansion of Copilot services across various Microsoft applications and notes that the essence of Copilot is to provide support and assistance.
02:21 — Kamil shares insights on the evolution of AI functionalities, but emphasizes Copilot’s role in freeing up time from mundane tasks and the necessity of learning or teaching a process to utilize it effectively. Additionally, he points out the limitations of AI models with numbers and the importance of recognizing that there are multiple Copilots tailored for different tasks. He also mentions the potential for partners to create their own Copilots using Copilot Studio, highlighting the opportunity for developing unique intellectual property but noting the need for ongoing training of the models.
04:38 — Pam notes some of the practical applications of Microsoft Copilot, one of which is to protect sensitive data that’s connected to an ERP system. This secure integration could provide businesses with a competitive edge, ensuring data protection while leveraging AI for strategic knowledge.
05:55 — Tristan agrees with Pam, emphasizing the importance of training the Copilot to tailor it to specific business needs. He elaborates on the concept of “raising” AI, nurturing it to better assist with business operations. Tristan also touches on the distinction between open AI sources like Copilot, which may encounter anomalies, and closed AI solutions that focus solely on a customer’s data for more precise business insights.
08:20 — Kamil discusses the potential for future Copilot products to incorporate functionalities like price comparisons through external APIs, enhancing the insights gained from the external market. He highlights the existing capabilities of Customer Intelligence in providing quick company information, which can be particularly useful for new sales team members to understand potential business collaborations. Kamil’s projected vision includes a Copilot that assists internally but also brings in valuable external data to inform business strategies and growth. This is one of the functionalities of Data Courage’s AI Financial Intelligence app.
