Guest blog: Copilot and Surface - fuelling collaboration transform in the Public Sector

Communications – Vital to the Success of the Public Sector
Collaboration is essential for the public sector to deliver effective and efficient services to best serve the public. Particularly, when many of these organisations have complex needs and dynamic environment. For example, each public sector employee often communicates with their peers internally, externally and the public in very different ways. This means they need collaboration solutions that enable them to work smarter meeting the needs of everyone they collaborate with. 

Solving the Communications and Productivity Conundrum with AI
In recent months Artificial Intelligence (AI) has really hit the headlines. The developments in AI of late are shaping up to be one of the most promising contributors to enhancing collaboration and productivity for the public sector.

Microsoft has been at the forefront of these announcements, with technologies like Chat GPT and Copilot. The latter of these, Microsoft Copilot offers the most impact to revolutionise collaboration, and how work is done across the public sector.

What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is positioned as an intelligent assistant that works alongside you helping you achieve more. Whilst there are many Microsoft Copilot tools, Microsoft Copilot 365 is the Copilot technology that will have the most immediate impact, in terms of how the public sector will work. For example, Microsoft 365 Copilot will enable employees to save time by automating tasks, drafting content, summarising meetings in Teams and include actions.

Yet, there are steps to take to ensure that the foundational data, built on Microsoft Azure which Copilot technology uses, is secure, compliant and set-up with the correct policies. Insight works with organisations to help them understand the advantages of incorporating generative AI into their organisation safely. We are already delivering customer workshops to help them navigate generative AI effectively.

How Does Microsoft Surface Enable Copilot 365 at its Best?
Microsoft Surface devices were built in collaboration between the Microsoft Software and Hardware engineering teams – meaning they’re built to work in tandem. M365 Copilot has been envisioned, built and tested first on the Surface device family and ultimately will offer public sector users the best Copilot 365 experience.

But the benefits don’t stop at Copilot 365 with Microsoft Surface working in tandem with Microsoft 365. We see across Surface devices, that when teamed with Microsoft Defender for Cloud, the devices offer a deeper level of security, from chip to cloud, improved Total Cost of Ownership, and a class leading talent attraction and retention tool. Whilst the management of Surface Devices through Microsoft Intune is simple straight from the outset. With out of the box, provisioned devices, users across the public sector can start collaborating from the time they first switch on their laptop. IT managers can pre-provision devices through Intune and get visibility and status of Surface devices across their estate, all through the Intune portal – making the management of communications, easy. 

Where Can I Learn More?
To get a better understanding around how Copilot and Microsoft Surface can help you in the public sector collaborate better, join us for an afternoon of insight and innovation. You will hear from experts from Insight’s Public Sector, Copilot and Surface teams and see Copilot and Surface in action.

The event is on Monday 4 December 2023, from 13:00 to 17:00, at Microsoft, Paddington. Spaces are limited, so register today and take your first step towards unlocking a new era of collaboration in the public sector.

Register now and save your seat.

Edward Bampfylde
Microsoft Hardware Lead, Public Sector, Insight

Through an 18-year career in tech spanning Olympus, Nikon, Nokia / Windows Phone, and Microsoft in both UK and Global teams, Ed recently joined Insight to lead Microsoft hardware in public sector across compute and the industrial metaverse. His main drive is bringing world class solutions to end users, while removing complexity and cost for IT and business decision makers.

Having completed the Cambridge University program in Business Sustainability Management, and working closely with accessibility teams in Microsoft, Ed is passionate about helping public sector customers drive meaningful change using the right solutions, and putting the best technology in the hands of those who need it.