Matt and David Explore AI Harnesses in Microsoft Copilot Studio

With more ways than ever to build AI agents, how do you know which approach is right for your business? In this episode of Mastering Mondays, Matt and David explore AI harnesses in Microsoft Copilot Studio, comparing the Standard Harness with the GitHub Copilot Harness. They discuss orchestration, skills, memory, file creation and governance, using real-world scenarios to explain when each approach makes sense.The key takeaway? Don't choose the newest technology just because it's available. Choose the right architecture for the job.

In this episode, David and Matt are joined by Microsoft MVP and AI Workforce Lead at Phoenix Software, Lewis Thompson, to explore the next big evolution in AI: Microsoft Copilot Autopilot. Lewis shares his hands-on experience with the technology, explaining how AI is moving beyond answering questions to independently carrying out everyday tasks. From automating time-consuming admin to understanding the importance of governance, security and responsible AI adoption, the conversation explores what Autopilot could mean for the future of work. Don't miss this insightful episode packed with real-world examples, practical advice and tips for getting the most out of Microsoft's latest AI capabilities.

How much is AI actually going to cost your organisation?As Microsoft moves further towards usage-based billing, answering that question is becoming increasingly difficult. Copilot credits, consumption charges, different agent harnesses and costs associated with building, testing and running AI all mean organisations need to think differently about how they budget for Microsoft technology.In this episode of Mastering Mondays, Matt and David welcome back Rich Gibbons, the first returning guest to the podcast, to make sense of the changing commercial landscape around Microsoft Copilot and AI.The conversation explores how Copilot credits work, where unexpected costs can appear and why having a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence does not necessarily mean every Copilot experience is covered. Rich also explains why the shift towards consumption-based AI creates new challenges for finance, IT and development teams trying to predict and control spend.More importantly, the discussion looks beyond the cost itself. If an AI agent costs £100,000 but creates £1 million of value, is it expensive? How do you build a business case when AI usage can be unpredictable? When should you use an agent, and when could a traditional automation achieve the same result at a lower cost?Join Matt, David and Rich for a practical look at the real cost of AI, why organisations need to start designing with cost in mind, and what you can do now to avoid an unexpected AI bill.

How many inefficient processes are hiding inside your organisation? Spreadsheets being emailed around, information entered multiple times, manual approvals and tasks that take far longer than they should.In this episode of Mastering Mondays, Matt and David are joined by Simon Croll. Simon is the Power Platform and AI Practice Lead at Phoenix Software, here to help us explore how Microsoft Power Platform can help organisations rethink the way they work.From Power Apps and Power Automate to Copilot Studio, Dataverse and AI, the conversation looks at how organisations can use technology they may already have to automate processes, improve productivity and give people the tools to solve everyday business problems.Simon also explains why technology should never be the starting point. Understanding the problem, questioning existing processes and choosing the right solution are essential if organisations want to create something people will actually use.There is also plenty of discussion around citizen developers, governance, data, adoption and the growing role of AI in Power Platform, including how natural language is making it easier for more people to build their own solutions.Join Matt, David and Simon for a practical conversation about Power Platform, process improvement and how organisations can turn frustrating ways of working into smarter ones.

Is your organisation truly ready for AI, or are you simply adopting the latest technology without first understanding the problems you’re trying to solve?In this episode of Mastering Mondays, Matt and David are joined by Heather Perriam, Business Solutions and AI expert, to explore what successful AI transformation really looks like. From Microsoft Copilot and AI agents to data, governance and organisational culture, Heather explains why getting value from AI requires far more than simply buying licences and deploying new technology.Together, Heather, Matt and David discuss how organisations can build an AI strategy around genuine business outcomes, why rapidly evolving technology demands an iterative approach, and how Copilot Studio and AI agents are changing the way businesses think about automation and productivity. They also explore the importance of getting your data and governance foundations right, building a compelling business case for AI, and overcoming the very real concerns employees have about what AI means for their roles.The conversation also looks ahead to a future where leaders may find themselves managing both human and agentic teams, while AI helps remove barriers, unlock new skills and enable people to focus more of their time on the work where they can make the greatest difference.Join Matt, David and Heather for a practical and thought-provoking conversation about moving beyond the AI hype and turning rapidly evolving technology into genuine business value.

Is your SharePoint a well-organised digital workplace, or has it become a dumping ground for old documents, confusing folders and content nobody can find? Join Matt and David as they welcome Microsoft 365 and Modern Workplace Consultant Megan Grindley to explore how organisations can get more from SharePoint. Megan reveals the biggest mistakes businesses make, why good governance and information architecture matter, and how SharePoint connects with Teams, Power Automate and the wider Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Join Matt and David as they welcome Mark Smith, a renowned figure in the Power Platform and Dynamics space. Mark's journey to becoming a leader in the tech industry is inspiring and during this episode, we talk about how Mark helps businesses succeed with the Power Platform, Copilot, and Dynamics, whilst also hearing about some important life lessons and stories along the way. Helping you build a successful career, Mark shares his experiences and discusses his hugely successful 90-day mentoring challenge. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the Microsoft Power Platform.

Tired of drowning in a sea of emails? Join us in episode 19 of Mastering Mondays as we dive deep into the art of email management. Discover practical tips and tricks to tame your inbox, boost productivity, and reclaim your time. Learn how to harness the power of automation, master the art of effective email communication, and choose the right tools and platforms for the job. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to take control of your email and achieve a new level of productivity.

Join us for a captivating conversation with the award winning Peter Rising, a renowned security expert and Microsoft 365 guru. In this episode, Peter shares his insights on securing your Microsoft environment and provides actionable tips to safeguard your business. Discover how to leverage Microsoft 365's robust security features and learn from Peter's wealth of experience. Tune in to this informative episode and take control of your organisation's digital security.

This week on Mastering Mondays, join David and Matt as they sit down with Microsoft MVP and expert Joy Apple for a hands-on look at SharePoint and the wider Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Joy shares practical tips and insights from her experience, covering everything from the evolving role of SharePoint in modern workplaces to essential strategies for leveraging Microsoft 365 effectively. Whether you're a seasoned user or just getting started, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make the most of Microsoft within your organisation.