Ingram Micro announced the availability of its Microsoft Copilot readiness service, a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) readiness across Australia and New Zealand by equipping participants with the tools and knowledge required to leverage AI and transform their businesses.

To cater for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Ingram Micro, with Microsoft, developed the Copilot for Microsoft 365 Adoption Workshop for SMBs. Designed for organisations of up to 300 Microsoft 365 seats who are at the beginning of their Copilot journey, it combines guidance, best practices, tips and useful resources.

The Centre of Excellence at Ingram Micro, of which the Copilot for Microsoft 365 Adoption Workshop is hosted, offers comprehensive services such as security readiness assessments and end-customer adoption training to further support businesses in delivering AI solutions. Additionally, Ingram Micro has implemented a five-step journey for the organisations it works with, including AI use case workshops, tenant content and security assessments, and ongoing utilisation support, to ensure smooth and effective Copilot deployments.

“Empowering businesses to harness the full potential of Copilot for Microsoft 365 is essential for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving AI landscape,” Matt Bostwick, Channel Partner Director at Microsoft ANZ. “This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing AI capabilities in the region, enabling partners to harness the power of Microsoft Copilot and drive innovation across industries.”

Ingram Micro Australia conducted pre-launch and post-launch roundtables with Microsoft across three major cities in November last year. Attended by more than 80 of its clients, these sessions provided a platform for understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with AI and Copilot and revealed key areas where those organisations need support, including technical enablement, service profitability, and end-user adoption.

“We are committed to supporting our partners through every stage of their AI journey,” said Trent Gomersall, Director, Cloud Services ANZ at Ingram Micro. “Our collaboration with Microsoft on Copilot has enabled us to provide valuable resources and insights, ensuring our partners are well-prepared to deliver innovative AI solutions to their customers.”

Ingram Micro has established a monthly community forum that now includes over 260 clients. This interactive forum has become an essential channel for updating clients, addressing their questions, and incorporating their feedback.

In March and April, Ingram Micro launched Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Masters Sales and Technical Bootcamps, attracting more than 100 participants. These bootcamps focused on the intricacies of Copilot’s technical requirements and sales motions, preparing clients for their first deployments. During the same period, Ingram Micro and Microsoft organised over 20 end-customer events, both in-person at Microsoft offices and digitally through SMB workshops, to help companies introduce Copilot to their clients.

To build momentum for Copilot for Microsoft 365, Ingram Micro has introduced a launch offer for clients, including 30 days free usage and up to $2,500 in rewards.

IT support service Systima is one organisation which has been part of the Copilot for Microsoft 365 Proof of Concept (POC) Application program.

“The POC on Copilot with Ingram Micro has given us the ability to convert customers to Copilot seamlessly,” said Systima’s Michael Skliros. “This program allows us to see firsthand how Copilot performs in the field, enabling us to fine-tune client adoption strategies and technical setups to ensure optimal deployment and satisfaction.”

Cloud Made Simple is another IT support company that has benefited from running several webinars with the support of Ingram Micro.

“Initially, our focus was on cybersecurity,” explains Deepti Morjaria, Sales Director at Cloud Made Simple. “But more recently, we have conducted webinars around Copilot for Microsoft 365. These webinars, part of the Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Briefings program, have been instrumental in educating our clients and driving engagement in the SMB sector. The collaboration has allowed us to effectively communicate the value and practical applications of Copilot, ensuring our partners are well-prepared to leverage this innovative tool.”

Ingram Micro has tailored its training and support programs based on feedback from client roundtables held before and after Copilot’s general availability. This approach ensures that training materials are relevant and practical for clients’ needs, particularly in the SMB sector.

“Feedback from our roundtables, community calls, and technical bootcamps and readiness workshops and assessments has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the enthusiasm and readiness of our partners to embrace AI,” Gomersall concluded.

Editors Publicspectrum

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