Tony Silva, managing director of PPT Group.

PPT Group, a South African consulting firm, is incorporating Microsoft Copilot, an AI-powered collaboration tool for Microsoft 365, into its client services portfolio.

According to the company, this software is useful for businesses looking to gain a competitive advantage, reduce costs, and identify more ways to market.

PPT says the deployment of Copilot gives South African businesses with a platform to benefit from next technological transition.

The group's move comes as the majority of South African IT leaders expect AI to have a significant influence on their operations in the near future, exceeding other new technologies.

“Platform shifts in technology have always defined the eras of innovation. From text-based computing to the GUI, the internet and mobile, and now AI, we are on the cusp of another monumental shift. AI will transform how business across all industry sectors operate, collaborate, and improve internal efficiencies," says Tony Silva, managing director of PPT Group.

According to the company, Howdens Joinery, a major FTSE 250 company that is listed on the London Stock Exchange, has since chosen PPT Group to drive its broader AI strategy, including managing the execution and integration of Copilot.

"Having a South African consultancy as part of this rare initial release demonstrates that we can compete on the global stage," Silva says.

"We've always believed in not just envisioning the future but also in enabling and executing it. Microsoft Copilot is a manifestation of that belief. It’s not about merely changing the tech landscape; it's about unlocking substantial time savings – allowing professionals to reimagine how they invest their time."

Highlighting the broad applications and implications of AI, Silva continues, "every company needs to have AI on its radar. It’s an essential element that must be part of any digital strategy.

"Whether it's to combat challenges like cybercrime or to adapt to industry shifts, the conversation around AI will inevitably find its way to boardrooms. The real game-changer lies in sectors like finance. Many finance functions still operate heavily in platforms like Excel. With Copilot, we can empower financial teams to redefine their roles, driving efficiencies of up to 20 percent and beyond."

Of course, the journey with AI is not without difficulties, he claims.

He explains: "AI adoption is in its hype cycle. There are fantastic tools available, but the friction of using them can be high. It's essential for these tools to become seamlessly integrated into our ways of working.

“Companies, especially the larger ones, need to be agile in their innovation approaches. Furthermore, tools like AI will require companies to think differently around how their data is structured and where it is stored. It is not a case of simply switching on with Copilot. It is a process that requires a new approach to how data and its ownership is understood within the business."