The key takeaways from our Copilot Next webinar and what they mean for your business.
Microsoft Ignite 2025 has clearly shown that we are at a turning point in the digital transformation. Never before has Microsoft shown so clearly where the world of work will be heading in the coming years. In the webinar “Microsoft Copilot Next – What’s in store for your business in the new year!”, over 480 participants experienced live what innovations Microsoft will be introducing in 2026 and how companies can use them to their advantage.
This interest was a strong signal for the Online Group. Our experience from hundreds of projects shows that the demand for orientation, concrete application scenarios and strategic classification is greater than ever before. This is precisely where our strength lies. As one of the leading copilot partners in Switzerland, we help companies not only to use AI, but to understand it as a real competitive advantage.
Why Copilot 2026 will be key for companies
The studies are clear. Work is becoming more complex, faster and more fragmented. On average, employees are interrupted every two minutes. Managers state that they lack the time and energy to cope with the increasing demands. Companies are therefore increasingly investing in technologies that provide continuous relief.
Copilot 2026 is a decisive step in this direction. The new generation of AI is not just a tool that supports individual tasks. It will become an intelligent environment that understands how you work, what information you need and which next steps make sense.
This is leading to a fundamental change in productivity. One focus is on automating repetitive and administrative tasks so that teams can concentrate on work with real added value. At the same time, knowledge becomes more accessible and decisions are made faster and more informed.
Work IQ. The context decides
With Work IQ, Microsoft brings an intelligent layer to Copilot that better understands the work context. This includes meeting content, chat histories, emails, files and personal work patterns. The AI recognizes connections that previously only humans could grasp.
The result is a new quality of answers. In future, Copilot will not simply provide information, but will understand much better what you are looking for. For companies, this means that knowledge no longer remains hidden in silos. It is available where work is done, without long searches or complicated processes.
The Online Group has already supported the first Work IQ projects and prepared companies on how to introduce this new level of AI in a sensible, secure and controlled manner.
Agent Mode. When Copilot takes over complete processes
Agent Mode is one of the most important innovations for 2026. In the past, many companies have wondered why Copilot is helpful but cannot fully perform more complex tasks. This is exactly where the new function comes in.
Multi-stage processes can be automated with Agent Mode. For example, complex analyses in Excel or structured documents in Word can be completely prepared, including logic, formatting and data reference. What used to require several work steps can now be completed in a single prompt.
The Online Group has already set up numerous agent architectures and knows the conditions under which such a deployment delivers real benefits. After all, Agent Mode can only be fully effective if processes are clearly designed and defined.
MCP Connectors. Use knowledge from third-party sources
Many companies work with tools such as Notion, HubSpot or Confluence. These information sources were previously only integrated into Copilot to a limited extent. The new Model Context Protocol Connectors provide a remedy here. They connect external systems directly to Copilot.
This means that you will be able to combine information from different platforms without having to switch applications. This capability will relieve teams enormously because there will be less friction and information can be used more consistently.
Vibe Coding. The next step towards true no-code development
With the new Copilot workflows and the App Builder, a central promise of AI becomes reality. You describe what you need and Copilot creates it. These can be simple automations or small applications that make your day-to-day work noticeably easier.
This opens up completely new possibilities for specialist departments. IT departments are relieved and companies accelerate their innovation cycles. The Online Group has been supporting teams shaping the transition from low code to no code for years. This experience shows that vibe coding is becoming a fundamental building block for the next stage of digital transformation.
Why you should take action now
Copilot 2026 is not just another update. It is the start of a new work logic. Companies that start early benefit twice over. They use the functions immediately and at the same time build up skills that will be crucial in the future.
However, it is also clear that Copilot can only be successful if strategy, processes, technology and employees are developed together. This is precisely where the Online Group’s core expertise lies. Our consultants combine in-depth technical expertise with many years of experience in digitalization and process design.
Our goal is to create solutions that people love and that bring real benefits to your company.
If you are ready to plan your next step with Copilot, we will be happy to accompany you.
