One word – many tools: understanding Microsoft Copilot
When you hear “Copilot,” you probably think of Microsoft’s AI virtual assistant – and you’d be right. But Copilot isn’t just one tool. Today, there are 15+ different Copilots, each built for specific apps, business scenarios, or technical roles. And on top of that, there are AI Agents designed for very focused tasks.
Copilot vs. Agent - what’s the difference?
- Copilot – a broader virtual assistant that can help you with multiple topics and tasks within its area (e.g., writing documents, analyzing data, creating presentations).
- Agent – a specialized assistant that performs one specific task: often working inside a Copilot.
Examples of Agents:
- For MS Teams: Facilitator for AI Notes, Facilitator for Meetings, Interpreter Agent.
- For Dynamics 365 Sales: Sales Qualification Agent.
- For Dynamics 365 Customer Service: Case Management Agent, Customer Intent Agent, Knowledge Management Agent, Customer Knowledge Management Agent.
The Copilot landscape
This section breaks down each Copilot so you know exactly what’s available and how it can help.
General-purpose Copilots
Microsoft Copilot (Free)
- Features: AI chat, image generation (DALL·E 3), web search, summarization, productivity tips.
- Platforms: Bing, Edge, Windows, Microsoft Start, mobile apps.
- Use case: Personal productivity, casual use.
Microsoft Copilot Pro
- Features: Priority GPT-4 Turbo, faster performance, 100 image boosts/day, deep Microsoft 365 app integration (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Use case: Power users with M365 Personal/Family plans.
- Use case: Personal productivity, casual use.
Enterprise productivity
Microsoft 365 Copilot
- Features: Works across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams; uses Microsoft Graph for insights; meeting summaries, doc generation, business chat.
- Use case: Boost enterprise productivity, collaboration, and workflow automation.
M365 App-Specific Copilots:
- Word: Draft, summarize, rewrite documents.
- Excel: Analyze data, create formulas, generate charts.
- PowerPoint: Create slides from text prompts.
- Outlook: Summarize threads, draft emails.
- Teams: Summarize meetings, list action items.
- OneNote: Organize and summarize notes.
Security and IT
Microsoft Security Copilot
- Features: Threat analysis, incident response, posture management; integrates with Defender, Purview, Intune.
- Use case: Security operations, threat hunting, compliance.
Microsoft Copilot in Azure (Preview)
- Features: Manage cloud infrastructure, optimize costs, monitor resources.
- Use case: IT admins, cloud engineers.
Developer tools
GitHub Copilot
- Features: Code suggestions, autocompletion, inline documentation, bug fixes.
- Use case: Software development support.
Power Platform Copilots
- PowerApps Copilot – Build apps using natural language.
- Power Automate Copilot – Create workflows from prompts.
- Power BI Copilot – Query data in plain language, get visual insights.
- Power Pages Copilot – Build secure websites quickly.
- Copilot in Model-Driven Apps – Summarize data, answer data questions, integrate knowledge sources.
- Copilot in Canvas Apps – Similar to above, but for custom UI apps.
Dynamics 365 & Business Applications
- Copilot for Sales / in Dynamics 365 Sales – CRM insights, email drafting, customer summaries. Licensing: Copilot in Dynamics 365 Sales is included with standard D365 Sales Enterprise and Premium licenses. Copilot for Sales requires an additional license.
- Copilot for Service / in Dynamics 365 Customer Service – Ticket summaries, suggested replies, issue tracking. Licensing: Copilot in Dynamics 365 Customer Service is included with standard D365 Customer Service Enterprise and Premium licenses. Copilot for Customer Service requires an additional license.
- Copilot in Customer Insights Journeys – Campaign creation, journey mapping, personalization.
- Copilot in Customer Insights Data – Data unification, segmentation, predictive analytics.
- Copilot for Finance – Reporting, forecasting, variance analysis.
- Copilot in Finance and Operations – Supply chain insights, financial planning, operational analytics.
Copilot in Dynamics 365 Sales Hub
Copilot in Dynamics 365 Contact Center workspace
Microsoft Copilots summary table
Copilot
Microsoft Copilot (Free)
Main features
Chat, search, image generation
Area of application
General productivity
Use case examples
Summarize articles, generate images, answer questions
Microsoft Copilot Pro
GPT-4 Turbo, M365 app integration
Personal productivity
Draft reports in Word, analyze data in Excel
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Integrated with M365 apps, Graph data
Enterprise productivity
Create presentations, summarize meetings, draft emails
Word Copilot
Drafting, rewriting, summarizing
Document creation
Generate contracts, rewrite proposals
Excel Copilot
Data analysis, formula generation
Data management
Identify trends, create dashboards
PowerPoint Copilot
Slide creation from prompts
Presentations
Build decks from briefs
Outlook Copilot
Email summarization, drafting
Communication
Summarize threads, suggest replies
Teams Copilot
Meeting summaries, action items
Collaboration
Generate follow-ups, summarize discussions
OneNote Copilot
Note organization, summarization
Knowledge management
Categorize notes, summarize research
Security Copilot
Threat analysis, incident response
Cybersecurity
Investigate phishing, automate compliance
Azure Copilot
Resource management, cost optimization
Cloud infrastructure
Optimize VM usage, monitor performance
GitHub Copilot
Code suggestions, autocompletion
Software development
Generate functions, refactor code
PowerApps Copilot
App creation via natural language
Low-code development
Build leave tracker app
Power Automate Copilot
Workflow automation via prompts
Process automation
Create approval flows
Power BI Copilot
Natural language insights
Data analytics
Ask “Top regions” and get visuals
Power Pages Copilot
Website creation, form automation
Web development
Build customer portal
Copilot in Model-Driven Apps
AI assistance in structured apps
Enterprise apps (Dynamics)
Suggest form logic, summarize records
Copilot in Canvas Apps
AI in custom UI apps
Custom low-code apps
Generate formulas, assist with layout
Copilot for Sales / D365 Sales
CRM insights, email drafting
Sales productivity
Summarize interactions, suggest follow-ups
Copilot for Service / D365 Customer Service
Ticket summaries, response suggestions
Customer support
Recommend replies, summarize cases
Customer Insights Journeys Copilot
Campaign creation, journey mapping
Marketing automation
Build personalized campaigns
Customer Insights Data Copilot
Segmentation, predictive analytics
Customer data analysis
Predict churn, segment users
Copilot for Finance
Reporting, forecasting
Financial operations
Generate cash flow reports
Business Central Copilot
ERP insights, invoicing
SMB operations
Monitor inventory, create invoices
Finance & Operations Copilot
Supply chain, financial planning
Enterprise ERP
Forecast demand, analyze KPIs
Copilot Studio
Last, but not least! Copilot Studio is not a Copilot itself – it’s the platform that lets you create and customize them. While Copilots are ready-made AI assistants built by Microsoft for specific apps or tasks, Copilot Studio gives you the power to build your own Agents from scratch or extend existing Microsoft Copilots.
You can connect them to your company’s internal data, add custom workflows, or automate unique processes. For example, you could add internal product knowledge to Copilot in Dynamics 365 Sales so the sales team can instantly get answers about your procedures, or create a payment-status check in ERP that works directly inside CRM.
In summary, “Microsoft Copilot” covers a wide range of AI assistants tailored to specific business needs – from general productivity to industry-specific applications. Knowing the capabilities, use cases, and licensing details of each Copilot helps organizations choose the right tools and get the most value. With Copilot Studio, businesses can go even further, creating custom Agents that integrate seamlessly into their workflows.
Discover the possibilities with Copilot Studio and empower your teams with smart, responsive AI solutions.
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