Bechtle : embraces AI with 5,000 Copilot for Microsoft 365 seats

• Extensive roll out of Copilot for Microsoft 365 in 14 countries
• Consolidation of knowledge throughout the company
• Bechtle experts leading the way in AI adoption to empower Small and Medium Enterprises

Neckarsulm, 04 March 2024 - Bechtle AG has launched an extensive deployment of Copilot for Microsoft 365 to sites in 14 countries. Rolling out a total of 5000 seats, the IT service provider is focusing its attention on the structured development of its expertise in AI assistants for Office applications, and looking to expand its own sales abilities for the service based on generative artificial intelligence.

Available as an additional licensed service, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is directly integrated into the Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams apps of a total of 5,000 Bechtle employees. By entering prompts, Copilot can support in the more efficient handling of routine tasks and make suggestions for complex work such as creating a strategy document. The software accesses, among other things, e-mails, meetings, chats, documents and data from the internet in full compliance with the highest data protection and IT security solutions.

Bechtle is deploying its own project team made up of Modern Workplace and AI experts to support the extensive roll out and use of Copilot for Microsoft 365. Alongside video tutorials, Germany's largest IT system house will also offer dedicated training courses.

"We are certain that we will gain valuable experience in the multitude of opportunities Copilot for Microsoft 365 offers through the extensive and structured deployment of this AI service," says Dirk Müller-Niessner, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Bechtle AG. "In addition to the added value for our day-to-day work and business processes, we aim to empower the German Mittelstand by sharing our employees' experiences and AI expertise with our customers."

"Bechtle's international roll out highlights the great interest of one of our most important European partners in the use of Copilot for Microsoft 365. We are delighted by Bechtle's decision to support its employees to develop their AI skills and productively apply them, paving the way towards the future," says Oliver Gürtler, Head of SME Business, Microsoft Germany.

Bechtle has been working with Microsoft for decades, holds all Solutions Partner certifications within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Programme, and has been named Leader in the ISG Provider Lens™ 2023 report in the categories Microsoft 365 Services Midmarket, Dynamics 365 Services and Managed Services for Azure for the Microsoft Cloud Ecosystem Germany.