Microsoft 365 Copilot: Nagel-Group successfully integrates new AI assistant into its processes
Versmold, 25/3/2024. Nagel-Group was one of 600 companies worldwide to take part in the Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Early Access Program. Copilot for Microsoft 365 has been running at Nagel-Group for seven months now, and the initial findings are encouraging: the AI assistant logs video conferences, makes text suggestions or finds key information from documents or the entire M365 environment.
Rebecca Schuster, Service Owner M365 at Nagel-Group, has been involved in the project from the outset and sees great potential in the AI assistant.
Nagel-Group is now working intensively on progressive solutions based on artificial intelligence as well as on many digitalisation projects, such as the “Cloud4Log” digital delivery note and the new customer service management system based on “ServiceNow”. “The aim is both to improve processes for our customers and make our employees’ daily work easier,” explains Michael Lütjann, CIO of Nagel-Group. One promising AI project is the introduction of Microsoft Copilots, the suite of AI-based productivity tools for Microsoft 365 applications. Nagel-Group was selected by Microsoft at the beginning of 2023 to be one of 600 companies worldwide to take part in the Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Early Access Program. There are currently 300 licences in use across all departments. “Copilot is also used in our co-determination committees. We involved our co-determination committee as early as possible and have already entered into a general works agreement on the topic of AI. This is also giving the co-determination committees their first experience with AI,” adds Michael Lütjann.
Initial trends are already starting to emerge after the first few months of intensive testing: the majority of participants use Copilot regularly and have successfully integrated the applications into their day-to-day work. Rebecca Schuster, Service Owner M365 at Nagel-Group, has been involved in the project from the outset and sees huge potential in the AI assistant: “We see Copilot as a new opportunity to automate routine tasks and create more freedom for creative and strategic work.” Copilot is used particularly frequently in Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams: “People really like using its time-saving functions, such as summarising emails and meetings. Using Copilot means you don’t have to wade through 50 messages after your holiday; instead, you get an overview with just one ‘click’ and can prioritise right away,” reports Rebecca Schuster.
Prompts are used to tell the AI assistant Microsoft Copilot how it should assist with communication.
The majority of participants state that Copilot already relieves them of many small but time-consuming tasks, offering them added value in their day-to-day work. The second, expanded round of the Community Round Table will start at Nagel-Group in March 2024, a forum in which Microsoft experts will also participate. These regular meetings are used to further intensify interdisciplinary dialogue and develop targeted solutions.
Microsoft’s Early Access Program offered Nagel-Group a great opportunity to try out a new, disruptive technology in a controlled environment and to actively shape its further development. Michael Lütjann is confident about the continuing development of the project planned for 2024: “Early access to the AI enhancements has given us valuable experience ahead of the official launch. What we now need to do is to develop specific use cases and integrate Copilot even more intensely into our structures.”
About the Nagel-Group
Nagel-Group, which specialises in food logistics and operates throughout Europe, is based in Versmold and employs over 11,500 people at more than 130 locations. Most recently, the company generated a turnover of 2.1 billion euros. Every day, the group moves foodstuffs in all consignment sizes and temperature classes. Whether frozen products, meat, dairy products, coffee or confectionery – day after day, Nagel-Group works on behalf of industry and retail to ensure that consumers throughout Europe find the right goods at the right time and in the right quality at the point of sale. Nagel-Group thus makes a significant contribution to the success of its customers.
