News in the Channel - issue #43

ARROW

with 10 to 300 employees, around 54% had Copilot underway in some form, rising to 76% among those with 500 or more employees, illustrating there is considerable scope in the SMB market. A Copilot trial built for SMBs Smaller organisations can often move quickly but may have less specialist resource to dedicate to AI adoption, data and governance. Channel partners can help end-customers focus on the areas where Copilot can make the most useful contribution and put the right foundations around its use. Microsoft’s Copilot in 30 programme is designed for eligible SMB end-customers with fewer than 300 employees. It gives 25 users access to Microsoft 365 Copilot Business for 30 days, focused on the roles most likely to benefit. With support from their Microsoft reseller or MSP, end- customers can use Copilot in their own environment and see how it performs against business as usual. Rather than relying on broad productivity claims, the trial allows end- customers to build evidence around the difference Copilot is making in their own organisation. They can see where it is improving productivity, making better use of information and releasing capacity for higher-value work.

environment also makes safe adoption a critical part of the process. Copilot works with the permissions already in place across Microsoft 365. It does not create access where none exists, but where permissions are too broad or information is overshared or poorly classified, existing issues can become easier to surface. Access, identity and data controls therefore need to develop alongside adoption. For smaller organisations where in-house expertise may be limited, channel partners can help review the existing environment, strengthen areas that need attention and make sure security and governance support the way Copilot is being used. At the end of the 30 days, end- customers have real evidence to act on. They can see where Copilot is creating value, where those benefits could be extended and what support may be needed around user enablement, data, security or governance. This creates a role for channel partners well beyond deployment, helping end- customers connect Copilot with business outcomes, adopt it safely and get more from their Microsoft environment. For SMBs, it provides a practical route from experimenting with AI to creating value they can measure and build on. Microsoft’s Copilot in 30 is available through Arrow until 31 December 2026. For more information visit https://secure- eugo.arrow.com/Copilot-Skills n

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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.

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Getting access and governance right Using Copilot in the end-customer's own