What Is a Copilot Agent?
A Copilot agent is an AI-powered assistant designed to work alongside users in their daily workflows. Unlike generic AI tools, a Copilot agent can be customized to understand your organization’s data, processes, and terminology. It’s not just answering questions… it’s providing context-aware assistance that integrates directly with your business systems. Think of it as your digital teammate that knows your company’s policies, documents, and workflows because it’s connected to your internal data sources.
One big takeaway is the whole teammate (or Copilot) concept. They work alongside you, not in place of you.
Why Build Custom Copilot Agents?
Out-of-the-box Copilot experiences in Microsoft 365 are powerful, but they’re designed for general use. Businesses often need something more tailored… an agent that understands specific processes, industry jargon, and internal knowledge bases. That’s where agents SHINE.
- Automate repetitive tasks unique to your organization
- Provide employees with instant access to company-specific information
- Improve productivity by reducing time spent searching for answers
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How to Build a Copilot Agent
1. SharePoint agents
- It can search and retrieve documents like policies, SOPs, and reports
- It can answer questions based on internal content, not just public data
- It ensures secure access aligned with your organization’s permissions
Imagine an HR Copilot agent that answers questions like:
- “What is our PTO policy?”
- “Where can I find the onboarding checklist?” Instead of searching manually, employees get instant answers sourced from SharePoint.
You can actually build an agent right inside SharePoint with a couple of clicks. The agent is now an expert on that SharePoint data, whether it’s one file, a selection of files, or an entire SharePoint site.
2. Copilot Studio Lite
- Create simple conversational flows
- Add basic integrations with internal data
- Deploy agents for specific tasks without heavy development
A finance team could use Copilot Studio Lite to build an agent that:
- Pulls budget templates from SharePoint
- Answers FAQs about expense reporting
- Provides links to relevant forms
3. Copilot Studio (Full Version)
- Custom connectors to integrate with external systems like CRM or ERP
- Complex workflows for multi-step processes
- AI-driven responses using organizational data and LLMs
A customer service Copilot agent could:
- Access SharePoint for product documentation
- Pull customer history from Dynamics 365
- Suggest next steps based on previous interactions
Best Practices for Building Copilot Agents
- Start with a clear use case: Identify the exact problem you want to solve. Don’t try to “boil the ocean”.
- Leverage existing data: SharePoint is your friend. Make sure your content is well-organized.
- Iterate and improve: Begin with a simple agent in Copilot Studio Lite, then scale up.
- Ensure security and compliance: Respect permissions and data governance policies.
