It’s an exciting time for the manufacturing industry as Microsoft begins to roll out new features that will change and enhance the way manufacturers operate. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced the next generation of AI product updates across its portfolio which includes the launch of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot is the world’s first copilot in CRM and ERP systems, providing interactive, AI-powered assistance across business functions. This is especially useful in supply chain roles to streamline operations for a better employee and customer experience. Here is what we know so far:

Essentially, Copilot puts your CRM and ERP to work to accelerate their pace of innovation and improve business outcomes within every line of business. Specifically, for the supply chain sector, Copilot will take on the tedious, time-consuming tasks that slow manufacturers down—like manual data entry, content generation, and notetaking. Since Copilot is built into D365, its ease of use will empower employees to deliver better customer experiences through more efficient processes.

In recent years, many businesses realized that their current supply chain technologies are not well-equipped for a business environment with ongoing constraints, disruptions, and shortages. However, Copilot in Microsoft Supply Chain Center employs generative AI to better predict and flag external issues such as weather, financials, and geography that can impact supply chain processes. These predictive insights then surface impacted orders across materials, inventory, carriers, distribution networks, and more. Fortunately, those that are customers of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management can access Copilot in Microsoft Supply Chain Center.

From there, supply chain planners can automatically draft an email generated by Copilot to inform the impacted partners and mitigate potential disruptions before they happen. This email outreach is generated by Azure OpenAI Service to help solve problems in real time and with ease. This allows supply chain managers to save time and collaborate with the impacted suppliers to quickly identify new ETAs and re-route purchase orders based on the identified disruption (such as a weather event). They can also fulfill high-priority orders via an alternate distribution center to ensure they can meet customer demand in full and on time. 

The rise of AI services is unlike any technology we’ve seen before, and the changes being made will have a chain reaction on the entire supply chain industry. Since AI has been subjected to criticism that questions whether or not the world is ready for it, Microsoft commits to responsible AI that can advance our future for the better. 

Copilot features for Microsoft Supply Chain Center are now in limited preview.