Last week, our CTO Andy Ross and Security Manager Phil attended ESPC 2025 in Dublin Europe’s leading Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Azure conference. AI and Copilot are everywhere, but what really stood out to us is what organisations need to do to get AI to actually work in the real world.

We’re sharing our guidance so you can avoid the common pitfalls and get measurable value from Microsoft 365 and AI.

1. Start with Copilot Governance

Our guidance: Before you roll out AI, set clear governance.

• Define who can use Copilot and for what
• Monitor usage and compliance
• Ensure it fits into consistent ways of working

Strong governance isn’t a barrier it’s the foundation that makes AI productive and low-risk.

2. Invest in Skills and Change Management

Our guidance: AI works best when your people are ready.

• Train teams on what AI can and cannot do
• Maintain human oversight alongside automation
• Build change management into the rollout process

Tools alone don’t deliver results. Confident, capable people do.

3. Build Solid Foundations Before Innovating

Our guidance: Don’t jump straight into apps and automations. Make sure you have:

• A secure, well-managed tenant
• Clear information architecture
• Defined ownership and lifecycle
• Best-practice configuration

Strong foundations accelerate innovation. Weak foundations slow it down and create costly technical debt.

4. Implement a Data Strategy

Our guidance: Treat your data like a strategic asset.

• Archive old or unused content
• Avoid paying for unnecessary storage
• Reduce operational risk

A good data strategy frees budget and resources for training, automation, or AI adoption where it really matters.

5. Get Metadata Right

Our guidance: Metadata is the glue that makes your systems intelligent.

• Ensure automation can rely on structured data
• Make search meaningful
• Support AI outputs and content lifecycle management

Metadata turns Microsoft 365 from a filing cabinet into a smart, usable platform.

The Big Idea: Technology Alone Isn’t Enough

Our guidance is clear:

AI, Microsoft 365, and low-code tools will only transform your business if they are paired with governance, strong foundations, and skilled, capable teams.

About Us

We’re a UK-based team specialising in building capability not just in systems but your people.  AI strategy, automation, training, and implementation within Microsoft 365.

No jargon. No hype. Just practical guidance with measurable results, helping organisations make AI work for them, today and in the future.

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