In the world of digital transformation, AI is not just a buzzword—it’s the game-changer for businesses looking to scale efficiently. Enter Copilot Studio: Microsoft’s robust platform designed to streamline the creation of AI-powered copilots. Whether you want to automate processes, handle customer queries, or boost productivity, Copilot Studio empowers businesses and developers alike to build and deploy AI copilots without needing extensive coding knowledge.
Imagine a future where your teams can easily craft chatbots, orchestrate workflows, and automate routine tasks, all while seamlessly integrating with Microsoft’s ecosystem. Copilot Studio makes this future a reality, providing powerful tools and an intuitive interface that allows you to deploy AI solutions across various channels like Teams, websites, or even custom apps.
Now, let’s dive into how you can access Copilot Studio, explore its key features, and understand how licensing works to unlock its full potential for your business.
Getting Access to Copilot Studio: Unlocking the Future
To harness the power of Copilot Studio, it’s essential to understand the licensing options available. Microsoft offers various subscription plans, ensuring you can find a solution that fits your business needs, whether you’re just getting started or need access to advanced AI functionalities.
1. Standalone Copilot Studio Subscription
The Standalone Copilot Studio Subscription is the most comprehensive offering, allowing businesses to build and deploy AI copilots across any supported channels. With this plan, you get access to premium connectors, which means you can link your AI copilots to virtually any data source—be it within the Microsoft ecosystem or external sources.
Obtaining this subscription is easy! Just head over to the Microsoft 365 admin center and assign licenses. This subscription is the best fit if you’re looking to integrate AI across multiple channels and require more flexibility in how your copilots interact with your data.
2. Copilot Studio for Microsoft Teams Plans
For businesses already operating heavily within Microsoft Teams, the Copilot Studio for Teams plan offers a more focused solution. With this plan, you can build conversational interfaces and deploy them directly within Teams, leveraging Microsoft Dataverse and standard connectors to manage and utilize data.
While the Teams-specific plan is more streamlined, it lacks some of the more advanced capabilities available in the standalone subscription. For example, generative AI-driven conversations and premium connector actions aren’t part of the Teams plan. However, it’s an excellent starting point for organizations that want to experiment with AI copilots directly within their collaboration tools.
3. Upgrade Options
If your business starts with the Teams plan but later finds it needs access to more advanced features, fear not! Upgrading to the standalone Copilot Studio subscription is a breeze. Simply go to the Channels section in your settings and select the additional apps you want to publish to, prompting you to upgrade your license.
This upgrade unlocks the full potential of Copilot Studio, allowing you to access all channels and use premium functionalities like AI-generated content and advanced workflows that integrate seamlessly across platforms.
Key Differences Between Teams and Standalone Copilot Studio Subscriptions
To help you choose the best plan for your needs, here’s a quick comparison of the key capabilities in Teams Plan vs. Standalone Subscription:
| Feature | Copilot Studio for Teams | Standalone Copilot Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI conversations | Not available | Available |
| Deploy Copilot to Channels | Teams only | Any supported channel |
| Power Platform Connectors | Standard connectors only | Premium connectors |
| Web Security | Enabled by default, no secrets | Generate secrets for secure access |
| Create with AI | Not available | Available |
| Microsoft Bot Framework Skills | Not available | Available |
| Handoff to Live Agent | Not available | Available |
As you can see, the standalone subscription offers more flexibility and advanced features, making it ideal for businesses that require comprehensive AI-powered solutions across multiple channels.
Try Copilot Studio with a Free Trial!
Still not sure if Copilot Studio is the right fit for your business? Microsoft offers a 60-day free trial for businesses to explore the full range of Copilot Studio capabilities. This trial period allows you to experience everything the platform has to offer—from building powerful conversational bots to integrating AI into your workflows—all at no cost.
During the trial, you’ll have access to premium features that might not be available in your existing Teams plan. It’s an excellent way to test out whether Copilot Studio’s advanced AI capabilities can bring the transformational change your business needs.
Other Subscription Plans that Include Copilot Studio
In addition to the standalone and Teams plans, Copilot Studio is also available as part of specific add-ons for Dynamics 365 Customer Service. These plans are tailored for businesses using Dynamics 365 and offer the same robust Copilot Studio capabilities without the need for separate licensing.
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