Copilot vs. Brian
Copilot vs. Brian: Choosing the Right AI Assistant for Your Digital Workplace
Generative AI has immense potential to save time in the digital workplace, leading many to consider which assistant solution to introduce to their employees. When selecting the right AI solution for the digital workplace, our clients and prospects often narrow their choices down to Microsoft’s Copilot and our AI Assistant, Brian. While these solutions share certain features, each also offers unique strengths. We will outline these to help you make an informed decision about the best solution for your specific needs. Our comparison will cover not only functionalities relevant to individual users but also other crucial factors such as business model, onboarding, and support offerings.
Introducing the Solutions: Microsoft Copilot and Brian
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that enhances productivity across various Microsoft applications. It comes in different versions, including a free version, Copilot Pro, and Copilot for Microsoft 365. The free version offers basic AI-powered search and generative capabilities, while Copilot Pro integrates with select Office applications for individual users. Copilot for Microsoft 365 is the most comprehensive version, seamlessly integrating with Microsoft 365 apps and leveraging an organization’s collective knowledge base. Each version caters to different needs, from casual users to large enterprises, offering varying levels of functionality, data protection, and pricing. You can learn more about Copilots capabilities, versions and early adoption here.
Brian
Brian is an AI assistant designed to streamline everyday work challenges by offering access to best in class tools while integrating seamlessly into existing work environments. Brian offers a range of powerful features, including rapid document translation, PDF to Office document conversion, and access to business databases, all powered by GPT-4 Turbo for advanced generative AI capabilities. Brian is accessible without installation through popular platforms like Microsoft Teams, Slack, email and its Web application making it highly versatile. Importantly, Brian prioritizes security and compliance, operating on European servers with GDPR compliance and ISO 27001 certified data security, while ensuring no customer data is used for AI retraining or used for any other purpose. If you’re interested in experiencing Brian’s full capabilities, you can start a 14-day free trial here.
Communication Channels
Microsoft Copilot Free offers access through the internet, web extensions, as well as dedicated desktop and mobile applications. Additionally, Copilot 365 is designed to blend seamlessly with the Microsoft Office Suite via an integrated side pane. Brian can be reached through various communication platforms, encompassing a WebApp (new in August 2024), Email, and messaging applications like Slack and MS Teams. Therefore, while Brian’s availability spans a wider array of communication options, Microsoft Copilot focuses more on extensive integration within its established ecosystem.
Data Handling
Microsoft Copilot Free, Copilot 365 and Brian all provide access to the newest OpenAI GPT models. Nonetheless, it is Brian and Copilot 365 that deliver enterprise-level data protection, ensuring private and secure data management. Notably, Copilot 365 is integrated with Microsoft Office Suite’s technological ecosystem. Brian also provides updated GPT models and complies with GDPR for enterprise-grade data security. Similarly, Microsoft Copilot deploys the most recent GPT models that are GDPR-compliant, but reserves enterprise-grade data protection for users of Copilot 365 only.
Knowledge Management
Although Copilot Free doesn’t offer personalization, Copilot 365 enables users to customize their experience and craft workflows using an editor. Leveraging files, emails, calendars, and chats, Copilot 365 delivers insights drawn from user work data and communications. Accessing and processing knowledge is crucial for an AI assistant like Brian, which can be tailored to specific customer needs by incorporating skills and information for in-house purposes.
File Handling
Microsoft Copilot’s complimentary version is specialized primarily in text translations and transcribing audio or video, whereas Copilot 365, despite its full integration into the Office suite, fails to exploit all available features of the ecosystem, offering only limited functions such as translating Word documents. Yet, while other sophisticated file operations are supported by Office Suite, they remain inaccessible via Copilot 365. However, an advantage of Copilot 365 is its user-friendly interface that allows Word document interaction through a convenient side panel within the MS Office environment. In contrast, Brian excels in file management solutions, providing extensive services including translations across more than 100 languages, PDF management, file format conversions, OCR tools, and transcriptions for both audio and video.
Research
Brian provides clients with the ability to perform research using exclusive data sources, delivering financial figures and various key performance indicators for both private and public entities, which are ideal for sector comparisons or industry snapshots. Besides purely quantitative data, Brian also uses GenAI to conduct an analytical review of companies, ensuring a comprehensive summary of data. While Microsoft Copilot Free and Copilot 365 lack access to exclusive data, they offer an AI-powered internet search and aggregate information using GenAI. Here, the quality is constrained by the precision of the GPT model.
Slide Graphics
Microsoft Copilot Free is dependent solely on GenAI for icon and image generation, resulting in a more restricted variety, quality, and thus, usefulness. However, Microsoft Copilot 365 and Brian both grant access to exclusive databases featuring slide templates, stock photographs, and customizable icons, leveraging GPT for the creation of AI-generated imagery. Copilot 365’s integration with the Office Suite potentially offers a broader selection than Brian’s offerings.
GenAI
Microsoft Copilot Free and Brian adeptly apply GenAI technologies to help users craft text, summarize documents, and generate ideas. Moreover, within the Microsoft Office ecosystem, Microsoft Copilot 365 offers enhanced capabilities such as summarizing MS Teams meetings, performing data manipulation and analysis in Excel, and generating presentations based on given prompts.
Beyond the Features: Key Considerations for Buyers and Administrators
Software goes beyond basic functionality. Users and buyers look at other factors when choosing software for an organization, such as customization options, the impact of the business model on product economics, and the provision of user support and team onboarding resources.
Conclusion
When choosing between Microsoft Copilot and Brian for your digital workplace, carefully consider your specific needs and priorities.
Microsoft Copilot offers deep integration with Microsoft Office 365 applications, making it a strong choice for organizations heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. It helps at tasks like summarizing Teams meetings, manipulating Excel data, and generating basic presentations within Office apps. The free version of Copilot may not match enterprise-level expectations, but it provides an accessible entry point to generative AI for personal use.
In contrast, Brian provides a more versatile solution that operates across multiple platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Slack, email, and Web applications. It offers powerful features like multi-language document translation, generative AI, and access to exclusive business databases for research.
Both Microsoft Copilot 365 and Brian prioritize enterprise-grade data protection, including GDPR compliance, EU data residency, and ISO 27001 certification.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your workflow, existing tools, and specific requirements. Consider factors like communication channels, data handling, file management capabilities, and research tools when making your decision. Whichever solution you choose, implementing AI assistance can significantly enhance productivity and streamline workflows in your digital workplace.
Explore the free trials offered by both solutions and contact us for a personalized consultation to discuss your unique needs.
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