GenAI and Copilot: A Collaborative Approach by Accenture, Microsoft, and Avanade

Introduction

Accenture and Avanade, their joint venture with Microsoft Corporation are establishing a copilot business transformation practice to address the unprecedented demand for AI transformation. With Microsoft’s help, this initiative will co-invest in new capabilities, solutions, and training to help businesses safely and responsibly resume their business functions using generative and agentic AI and Copilot technologies.

The Copilot business transformation practice will offer clients the necessary technology and industry expertise to facilitate the rapid adoption and expansion of Copilot and agents throughout the enterprise. The companies will work together to develop AI and Copilot agent templates, extensions, modules, and connectors that will assist organizations in leveraging their data and gen AI to drive growth, improve efficiencies, and reduce costs. The companies will assist clients in utilizing Microsoft’s AI-powered security capabilities to enhance the efficiency of their security operations and assist analysts in making more informed, timely decisions.

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 A Collaborative Approach by Accenture, Microsoft, and Avanade

The Accenture Center for Advanced AI will collaborate closely with Microsoft product specialists, who will support the 5,000 professionals from Accenture and Avanade who comprise the practice. To facilitate industry and functional transformation, the team will leverage the expertise of over 50,000 Microsoft Copilot-trained professionals from Accenture and Avanade. Custom models and solutions will be developed by clients with the assistance of specialized engineers and early access to the most recent technologies, such as the Accenture AI Refinery™. Accenture is committed to expanding its use and deployment of 100,000 Microsoft 365 Copilots and agents to approximately 200,000 users, leveraging the knowledge gained from this experience.

Accenture and Avanade have created agents to improve the customer experience, increase revenue, and streamline workflows. For instance, a supplier discovery and risk agent can provide real-time market insights, agile supply chain responses, and improved vendor selection, potentially resulting in up to 15% cost reductions. By addressing urgent payment requirements and preventing disruptions of critical services, a procure-to-pay agent could enhance vendor relations and satisfaction and improve efficiency by up to 40%. Additionally, they have made significant investments in developing industry-specific and functional Copilot solutions, which deliver value to clients.

Microsoft 365 Copilot – The companies have created M365 Copilot solutions, including a readiness assessment and value accelerator, among others, to assist clients in effectively implementing, successfully adopting, and scaling the technology to achieve maximum value. They are assisting Repsol, a global multi-energy company, in the deployment of M365 Copilot, and a four-month study has yielded impressive results. Employees are saving an average of 121 minutes per week, leading to a 16% improvement in productivity and output quality. Furthermore, 61% of respondents are enthusiastic about AI-enhanced workflows, citing enhanced motivation and confidence. The most significant productivity gains were observed in technical and professional roles, with engineering roles saving nearly 97 hours annually per employee. Maintenance positions experienced even greater advantages, as they were able to save approximately 225 minutes per week. This improvement in precision and consistency was a significant benefit to their work. These findings emphasize the transformative potential of generative AI in enhancing employee satisfaction and optimizing business operations generally.

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Industry and Functional Copilots – The companies have collaborated to create Copilots for a diverse range of industries and functions, such as finance, manufacturing, supply chain, retail and consumer goods, and healthcare. For instance, Microsoft Manufacturing Data Solutions in Fabric powers the creation of a Manufacturing Copilot. This innovation was designed to revolutionize the shop floor and the operations of factory workers.
Custom Copilots and Agents – The companies are utilizing Microsoft Copilot Studio to enhance foundational Copilots, such as M365 Copilot and industry and role-based Copilots, with enterprise knowledge. This makes it possible to make self-driving agents that react to certain events or the user’s commands. This makes it possible to use AI to create responsible and effective workflows. Bricorama, a French home improvement retailer, was assisted by Avanade and Accenture in the development of a custom home improvement Copilot known as “pAInt.” The pAInt app employs Azure OpenAI to assist clients in the completion of their projects.

Microsoft and Udacity, a division of Accenture LearnVantage, have jointly developed a new Azure Generative AI Engineer Nanodegree program. The program is designed to provide learners with the necessary skills to design, construct, and operationalize AI-driven applications on Azure. In this online-only course, students will use AI models to solve problems in the real world by using automation, data insights, and generative AI solutions. Custom Microsoft 365 Copilot applications will be developed and models will be implemented through hands-on projects as learners receive personalized support from industry advisors. Udacity’s Nanodegree program is currently accessible, and learners may commence the initial lesson at no cost for a restricted period.

Accenture will continue to help Microsoft change its functions, such as finance, sales, marketing, and human resources, through Copilot. It will do this by using its industry, functional, and dynamic AI consulting services. Microsoft also selected Accenture to establish four Microsoft Co-Innovation Labs. These labs will incubate blueprints for AI-led design and experimentation, with immersive showcases within Accenture offices and Microsoft Co-Innovation Labs. The companies will construct pilots in the laboratories, utilizing the assets developed by the Copilot business transformation practice, to motivate reinvention.

Accenture will use the newest Copilot agentic technologies to help clients change their business processes across corporate functions and industry-specific operations. This is because Accenture has seen how useful Microsoft Copilot is for its own business.