"Copilot is changing the way we think about work"

Jannis, Tilo - Microsoft Copilot is on everyone's lips. What fascinates you personally about this tool?

Jannis Wolke-Hanenkamp: What impresses me most is the ease with which Copilot can be integrated into existing workflows. It's not a new tool that you have to painstakingly learn to use, but a real assistant that helps within familiar applications such as Teams or Outlook, exactly where time and quality would otherwise easily fall by the wayside.

Tilo Bartholomäus: For me, it's the immediate benefit. AI doesn't just help in theory, but in practice. In the webcast, we showed live how a Teams meeting automatically becomes a complete, structured protocol, including tasks and responsibilities. This saves an enormous amount of time and gives us the certainty that nothing will be forgotten.

 

You talk about structured protocols, how exactly does that work?

Wolke-Hanenkamp: As soon as the transcription of a meeting is activated, Copilot automatically creates a summary. The content is organized thematically, speakers are assigned and tasks are identified. The whole thing can be searched later, and you can also ask Copilot questions afterwards, for example: "What decisions were made in the meeting on May 12?" The AI then accesses the transcript and provides specific answers.

 

An impressive example. What about e-mail? Can so much be automated there too?

Bartholomäus: Yes, definitely. Outlook becomes a real productivity tool with Copilot. Anyone who has a lot of email correspondence knows the problem: long threads, lots of information, little time. Copilot can not only summarize e-mails, but also directly generate reply suggestions, in different tones and, if desired, in other languages. There is even an integrated coaching function for writing style, which can be particularly helpful for external communication or sensitive topics.

 

It sounds like Copilot is redefining traditional assistance work in many areas. How will this be felt in document management?

Wolke-Hanenkamp: In OneDrive, documents can not only be read, but also compared with each other, even if they are in different formats. Let's take a quote as an example: Copilot recognizes changes between two versions and highlights them precisely. You can also ask questions directly about the content, for example in the case of foreign-language PDFs. The AI responds in the desired language and refers to the place in the document from which the information originates.

 

Another keyword is "agents". What exactly does this mean?

Bartholomäus: By agents, we mean intelligent chatbots that can be individually configured, for example for internal guidelines, processes or frequently asked questions. With "Ulf", we have set up such an agent at TSO-DATA that accesses our company guide. Employees can ask him simple questions, such as "What is the dress code?" or "How does the vacation application process work?", and immediately receive a well-founded answer without having to search for documents for a long time.

 

So, a kind of on-demand knowledge base with a chat interface?

Wolke-Hanenkamp: Exactly. And the best part is: the configuration is straightforward. The agent can access SharePoint content, prioritize specific sources, and be used in a highly targeted way. This is a huge relief, especially for onboarding, HR, or support departments.

 

How do companies react when you introduce Copilot to them?

Bartholomäus: At first, there's often a sense of amazement. Many know in theory that AI can be used productively, but it's the first time they experience how practical and helpful it is in everyday work. When the first meeting notes are automatically generated or an agent responds to internal questions, it quickly becomes clear: this isn’t just hype—it’s a real game changer.

 

Are there any limitations? Or in other words: what should companies pay attention to when introducing Copilot?

Wolke-Hanenkamp: It’s important not to just "dive in blindly." The real benefits emerge when processes are clearly defined, access rights are correct, and employees understand how to use the AI effectively. Training and guidance are essential, and that’s exactly where our services come in.

 

What advice do you give to companies considering testing Copilot?

Bartholomäus: It's best to start with a clearly defined use case. One team, one department, one specific application—such as meeting summaries or document comparison. That way, the added value becomes apparent very quickly, and the next step can be to scale the rollout.

 

And how does TSO-DATA support this process concretely?

Wolke-Hanenkamp: We don’t just offer licenses and technical implementation—we also provide practical training and tailored consulting. Whether it's setting up agents, using them in Dynamics 365, or aligning Copilot with company culture—we support businesses from the initial idea to productive use.

Thank you for the conversation!

 

Would you like to find out how Microsoft Copilot can ease the workload of your teams? Take advantage of a free initial consultation with our experts.

TSO-DATA
Jannis Wolke-Hanenkamp | jwolkehanenkamp[at]tso[dot]de
Tilo Bartholomäus | tbartholomaeus[at]tso[dot]de
+49 (541) 1395-0