Microsoft Copilot: Hype or Helper? Here's What You Need to Know

Since Microsoft Copilot first entered the conversation, there’s been plenty of buzz, and more than a few raised eyebrows. At $565.50 per user, per year (roughly $47.15 a month), it's not a throwaway expense, especially for businesses already juggling a growing tech stack.

The question is: does it live up to the hype, and is it worth the investment for your team? Here’s our take after seeing it in action with real businesses.

What You’re Paying For

Microsoft Copilot isn’t just a chatbot. It’s deeply embedded into the M365 ecosystem and designed to supercharge productivity by automating the everyday and simplifying the complex. It's not a standalone app, but a feature that lives within your existing tools that you already have, like Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.

You're essentially getting:

• Real-time drafting and summarising in Word and Outlook
• Data analysis and formula generation in Excel
• Presentation creation and visual design support in PowerPoint
• Meeting recaps, task tracking and knowledge surfacing in Teams
• Natural language prompts across the board

But features aside, the real test is how people are actually using it.

Market Reception: So, Has It Landed Well?

Let’s be honest, early adopters were cautiously optimistic. Some people thought, “This’ll replace half my admin!” while others were more sceptical. Now that it's had some time in the wild, reviews are settling somewhere in the middle.

Most users are finding real value when Copilot is used with intention, particularly where there's already good information hygiene in place:

• Clear naming conventions
• Well-used Teams channels
• Tidy SharePoint libraries
• Decent email practices

In messier environments, it can get a bit lost in the noise. But that’s more a reflection of the environment than the tech. Microsoft is continually refining it, and we’re seeing updates roll out fast. It’s not perfect, but it’s powerful, and for many, it’s already a game-changer.

Three Everyday Wins With Copilot

Here are three practical examples where we’re seeing genuine productivity boosts - small workflow improvements that stack up in meaningful ways:

Microsoft Teams: Meeting Recaps Without the Admin Hangover

Ever finished a meeting and realised no one took notes? Copilot to the rescue. It generates recaps, identifies key decisions and action items, and can even flag follow-up questions. Perfect for those "just quickly catch up" meetings that end up full of gold you don't want to lose.

We explored this in our recent Lunch & Learn session -  jump ahead to 11:45 if you want to see it in action.

PowerPoint: “Make This Look Better” Actually Works

Got a rough outline and need to make it pop? Feed Copilot a few bullet points or drop in a Word doc, and it’ll generate a polished deck, design suggestions, talking points, and slide structure included. It's a huge time-saver for internal comms, pitches, and last-minute presentations.

Outlook: Drafting That Doesn’t Feel Robotic

Copilot in Outlook can draft full email replies or even help you rewrite something to sound more polite, more assertive, or more professional. It's also great at summarising long email threads, especially handy if you're jumping back into a discussion and need a quick catch-up.

Should You Buy It?

That depends. If your team is already working well in the Microsoft ecosystem and especially if you're using SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams in an organised way then Copilot can absolutely help lift productivity. But if your environment is still maturing or you're not sure where to start, we recommend testing it with a small group first.

If you’d like to talk through what it could look like in your business, or run a proof of concept, we're always up for a chat.

In the meantime, grab a cuppa and check out our Copilot Lunch & Learn, it’s a practical, jargon-free walkthrough of what the tool can really do.

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