Developers are under increasing pressure to obtain measurable results for their clients, while being fast and efficient, especially given the prevalent nature of cybercrime. With AI technology on the rise, developers should explore how they can use AI developer tools to be more productive, save time, and minimise errors.
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered productivity tool first developed by Microsoft in 2023, which can be used alongside GitHub, an AI-powered add-on that supports developers in writing and developing code in multiple languages.
We have developed this guide to support developers in using the latest advancements in AI for developers. We have also provided a downloadable checklist to help developers integrate the software into daily workflows and coding environments.
Keep on reading for examples of how Microsoft Copilot can deliver measurable results for your clients, across a range of industries.
GitHub Copilot aims to increase developers' productivity and work satisfaction through various tools. Users can more confidently code in unfamiliar languages or for new applications, creating customisable business solutions to enhance existing software, including Microsoft Dynamics 365.
The software offers the following key features to help developers write and edit code with greater accuracy:
So far, Microsoft Copilot has received positive responses from developers. A recent study showed that coding tasks undertaken with GitHub Copilot were 55% faster, and project completion rates increased by 7%.
Faster completion rates will mean that software development projects are completed more accurately, benefiting their client as internal testing, training, and adoption can begin faster in the organisation. You can find out more about this in point four.
Delving into some of the most useful features for developers, Microsoft Copilot’s Code Autocompletion tool suggests completed lines or blocks of code. The tool provides context-aware suggestions based on the existing code and comments in the project to help developers work more proactively and save time on basic coding tasks.
Building on this, Copilot’s Natural Language Capabilities benefit developers by allowing them to experiment with unfamiliar coding inputs and unlock suggestions for different techniques using everyday language. Not only can this speed up the coding process, but help to avoid mistakes, which is especially important if the developer is working on a demanding project that requires multiple bespoke functions.
For example, developers could insert the following language input into Copilot to create a custom business function in Dynamics 365 Finance: "I want to format a custom function to calculate employee bonuses based on their performance ratings and salary."
Copilot’s pair programming assistance suggests AI-generated code snippets as developers write, facilitating a more efficient coding experience. These suggestions will help developers discover new coding techniques with each new project they create, enhancing their skills over time and ultimately increasing their value to their clients.
Overall, Microsoft Copilot and GitHub work together to significantly reduce the time spent finding and solving issues. When the coding process is more efficient, this is advantageous to both parties as the digital transformation timeline can be sped up. While the developer benefits from a more productive output, the client has less risk of business downtime and gains a competitive technological advantage more quickly. Read more about the benefits to an organisation in point four.
Data security is one of the most important considerations for organisations, as data breaches and cyber attacks can damage customer relations and put the company at risk of penalties. Many companies are integrating AI in ERP systems to provide automated security alerts, data encryption and store their data securely in the cloud.
Copilot aids developers in enhancing existing business software and creating bespoke cybersecurity solutions, which help the organisation avoid the many harmful impacts of cyber atacks. In particular, the Dynamics 365 suite can be optimised using Copliot for a range of industries to ensure confidential data is secure.
Dynamics 365 Finance can be enhanced using Copilot in the various ways:
Developers can also use Microsoft Copilot to enhance the cybersecurity of Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (SCM) in the following ways:
Dynamics 365 Project Operations can be optimised for security purposes in the following ways:
The use of CoPilot for finance and operations applications is still in its earliest stages, but it will give users functionality and experiences that augment with AI capabilities. Within Dynamics 365 (D365), a user can use CoPilot to help with various tasks, such as:
The above features are still in the early stages, but demonstrate how the power of AI can be used in the ERP implementation. Overall, Copilot is an invaluable tool for developers. It allows them to create bespoke cybersecurity solutions with minimal errors while passing along benefits to the business.
While Copilot primarily benefits software development professionals, secondary benefits are passed down to the business or organisation using the ERP software. Developers can create greater cybersecurity measures, faster software deployment speeds, and customisable business tools for the organisation to boost their resilience and productivity.
The specific applications of Coplit to enhance digital transformation projects differs for each industry. For example, professional services companies would benefit from enhanced reporting and analytics tools for their centralised data within Dynamics 365 Finance software. Using Copliot’s Code Autocompletion features, developers can generate custom business queries to facilitate better decision-making and guide customer retention strategies.
On the other hand, engineering and manufacturing businesses would benefit from technical production workflows, inventory management systems, or automated quality control alerts. Using Copliot, developers can more quickly write complex algorithms for tasks, and utilise the AI-generated code suggestions to uncover more beneficial tactics.
Logistics businesses would benefit from algorithms to support delivery route optimisation and the scheduling of shipments and resources. By analysing real-time information, Microsoft Copilot can help developers create solutions that minimise delivery times, bringing tangible benefits to the organistaion and enhancing customer satisfaction.
As ERP implementation experts, we understand the potential challenges and pain points developers may have when working with a new system. This is why we have developed our own easy-to-follow guide to help you before, during and after the integration process.
Before you start, we recommend that you thoroughly research the software, read reviews, and speak to trusted peers who have used the platform. Also, take a look at Microsoft and GitHub’s informational guides to explore all the features and make sure it's a sensible investment. GitHub also has the option to make a free account, so take advantage of this to explore the user experience.
To further determine your suitability, make sure to understand the pricing involved and how long you estimate it will take you to get up to speed. We recommend avoiding the implementation process while undertaking a significant project!
When you’re ready, follow the below steps to successfully set up Microsoft Copilot:
Before starting integration, ensure your development environment is properly configured with the necessary subscriptions, tools and extensions to integrate with both GitHub and Microsoft Copilot.
To begin using the software, you must purchase a subscription plan for Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365, either through the Microsoft 365 admin centre, the Microsoft account team, or a trusted Microsoft partner. There are certain types of Microsoft base licenses required before moving onto a Copilot subscription; check your suitability here.
You can create an account on GitHub’s website to use the software and either continue with a free account or choose one of the Pro pricing plans. With a free plan, you can only access limited features and won’t have a fully immersive experience within your Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
Make sure to install any necessary plugins to get the most out of Copilot, including AI builder prompts, Power Automate flows and Open AI plugins. You can also download the GitHub Copilot Chat to ask and receive answers to coding-related questions directly within your supported IDE.
To access Copilot's code suggestions directly within your coding environment, make sure to install the Copilot extension. The specific instructions for this will differ depending on your chosen IDE, so consider contacting their support team if you are unsure.
Now you have GitHub Copilot set up in your development atmosphere, you’re ready to start developing your first section of code within the software!
To help inform how you will use the software in your day-to-day workflow, test all the key features, and experience how the AI suggestions can adapt based on your input. Its a good idea to experiment with different scenarios to understand when and how Copilot can be most helpful.
We recommend creating a test scenario when you are still in the early stages of using Copliot, considering how code completion, natural language input, and error detection can speed up your current process. Make sure to trial the softwrae for a range of development scenarios
While Copilot can provide valuable suggestions, it's important to review its output critically. Verify that the suggested code aligns with your project requirements, coding standards, and security considerations. Copilot is a tool to assist you, but ultimately, you're responsible for the quality and integrity of your code.
Keep an eye out for updates and enhancements to GitHub and Microsoft Copilot. Copilot follows the standard Microsoft update deployment, and it is best practice to use the most current version to get the most effective experience.
To get more insight, subscribe to relevant newsletters, follow GitHub and Microsoft's official blogs and social media channels, and participate in developer communities to stay informed about the latest developments.
Technology evolves rapidly, so continue learning and adapting your skills to leverage GitHub and Microsoft Copilot effectively. Stay curious, explore new features and functionalities, and seek opportunities to enhance your development workflow and productivity.
Exploring online Microsoft communities and staying active in relevant social media threads will give you access to tips and guidance from other developers, and you can implement these learnings in your own projects.
With any new piece of software, it's important to look out for any potential issues during your projects and reach out to the relevant teams for a resolution. Leaving a review or contacting the support desk will help improve Copliot in the long run, creating a better experience for you and other developers.
Who knows, you may even inspire a new feature!
We have compiled an easy-to-use PDF guide containing these tips, and more information on overcoming certain challenges; click here to download it!
If you are considering using Copilot within a Dynamics 365 platform, check out our FAQ page for some common cloud-based ERP technology, or contact us today.
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