ARROW
From Copilot experimentation to proof of value
Oliver Harvey-Jones, director of cloud UK&I for Arrow's enterprise computing solutions business, explores how channel partners can help SMB end-customers turn Copilot use into measurable value through a focused 30-day trial.
Generative AI is transforming day-to- day work, reducing routine activity and freeing up capacity for higher-value tasks. As organisations experiment with AI and start putting it to work more widely, they need to understand where it is making a real contribution and how to support its use safely. Data, permissions, governance and skills all have a bearing on successful adoption. Arrow Electronics-commissioned Censuswide research among 400 UK IT decision makers shows adoption gathering pace while organisations continue to work through those practicalities. Seven in ten had AI in some form of deployment, from pilots through to departmental and organisation-wide use, yet 98.5% identified at least one barrier to adopting it securely. Budget, security and compliance were among the most common concerns, alongside data governance, integration, infrastructure,
ownership and skills. As organisations gain experience, proving value and return becomes more important. A promising use case needs to translate into business outcomes. Arrow's wider AI strategy reflects this. The AI Accelerator brings together learning, hands-on use and implementation so channel partners can build the skills needed to support real end-customer requirements. It is part of a broader role for the channel that combines technology, expertise and services to help end- customers turn intent into action. Putting Copilot to work Microsoft 365 Copilot brings AI into tools people already use every day, helping them prepare for meetings, work through email, find and summarise information, refine content and take some of the routine effort out of common tasks. Its value is not simply about speed. By making it easier to recover context, surface relevant information and turn existing material into a useful starting point, Copilot can reduce the friction around everyday work. Repeated across the working week, those gains can create meaningful capacity for higher-value activity. Copilot is already being explored and used by organisations of all sizes. In our research, 61% of respondents had moved into pilots or deployment, while a further 34% were still evaluating where it could fit. Among organisations
Oliver Harvey-Jones
arrow.com
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