Don’t Call it a Rebrand: (Power Virtual Agents) Copilot Studio

Key Takeaways

• Beyond a Simple Rebrand: Microsoft Copilot Studio is a major evolution of Power Virtual Agents, integrating advanced generative AI to move beyond basic customer service bots into sophisticated, multi-purpose AI assistants.
• Expanded Enterprise Capabilities: Copilot Studio enables businesses to build standalone copilots with deep integrations into Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, and over 1,100 pre-built connectors, significantly enhancing automation and user context.
• Seamless Transition: Existing Power Virtual Agents users experience no interruptions. All current bots remain fully functional and automatically "light up" within the new Copilot Studio interface, preserving all previous work and logic.

It’s not unusual for a business to relaunch a specific product or service. Typically, it’ll do so with a “V 2.0” or “new and improved” attached to the old name.

But when a product is revolutionized with generative AI? A simple relaunch or “[product name] on steroids” won’t do. You gotta go bigger.

And that’s what Microsoft has done with the product formerly known as Power Virtual Agents. We (and Microsoft, of course) proudly introduce you to Copilot Studio, an AI-fueled low-code tool to build conversational bots, intelligent, virtual agents, customizations, and so much more.

“What about my existing PVAs?” That’s a great question! They’ll run the same as they do now. According to Microsoft:

“For existing Power Virtual Agents customers, there will be no interruption to your experiences or solutions. You will be able to use the same capabilities now found within Microsoft Copilot Studio – and all your existing bots will light up within Copilot Studio, just as they did in PVA.”

So… what’s different? TONS. Copilot Studio builds on what you know and love about PVA, but goes offer some extraordinary advancements and advantages to users of all levels:

Customizable Copilots: Build conversational AI assistants to fit your needs and assets (e.g., you can control where info is sourced from—no worries about the competition sneaking into any conversations).

Integration with plugins: Use a drag and drop interface to leverage pre-built connectors (more than 1,100 of them as of this writing!).

Workflow design: Automate multiple tasks concurrently and create a more sophisticated user experience.

More than customer service: Unlike PVA, Copilot Studio lets you create and publish standalone Copilots designed for purposes beyond customer service (such as the aforementioned workflows and plugin integrations).

Microsoft 365 integration: Copilot Studio has deep hooks into core Microsoft Dynamics 365 applications, enabling the Copilots you create to access and utilize user data and context for more personalized interactions.

Windows integration: Coming in 2024, it will tap into the Windows desktop, empowering your Copilots to get content and context from your workstation.

For developers and administrators, the hits will keep coming: tools for iterative conversation design, simplified deployments, Microsoft 365-level security, and more.

FAQs on Power Virtual Agents (PVA) and Copilot Studio

What is Microsoft Copilot Studio?
It is an AI-fueled, low-code platform for building conversational bots and intelligent virtual agents. It enables organizations to create customized AI assistants that integrate seamlessly across Microsoft’s ecosystem and third-party applications.

How is Copilot Studio different from Power Virtual Agents?
While built on the foundation of Power Virtual Agents, Copilot Studio adds generative AI, plugin-based connectivity, advanced workflow automation, and deeper integration with Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 for more personalized interactions.

What happens to existing Power Virtual Agents bots in Copilot Studio?
Existing bots continue to function without interruption. They automatically appear within the Copilot Studio interface, allowing users to leverage their current bot solutions while accessing new capabilities.

What can enterprises build with Copilot Studio?
Enterprises can build standalone copilots for purposes far beyond customer service, including complex workflow automation, personalized assistants that utilize internal data context, and tools integrated directly with Microsoft 365 and Windows.

Ready to learn more about Copilot Studio and other generative AI tools from Microsoft? Just contact us. We’d be delighted to take you on a guided tour.