Discussing the Importance of OpenAI's ChatGPT and AI capabilities with Microsoft MVP and MCT, Christian Segurado

Organizations need every edge to stay competitive and drive growth in today's fast-paced business world.

Whether you're looking to improve customer satisfaction, boost productivity, or accelerate innovation, ChatGPT, and AI automation can help you achieve your goals.

In our segment Influencer Insights, we invite leading industry professionals to speak on partner-to-partner relationships, Microsoft Business Solutions, and current technological trends. In today's chapter, we will speak with Christian Segurado about the capabilities of AI and Mixed Reality.

Let Us Quickly Get To Our Expert’s Point Of View.

Question 1- What, according to you, are some of the top Microsoft technology trends to watch out for in 2023?

As many tech companies indicated on the earning calls earlier this month with numerous mentions of AI (Nvidia - 75 Times, Google – 62 Times, Microsoft – 31 Times, etc.), AI is a technology trend to watch out for in 2023.

In January, Microsoft announced an expansion of their collaboration with OpenAI, which included the release of the OpenAI Bing Browser and integrating ChatGPT's/OpenAI's technology into their existing product lines. One of the notable applications of this integration is the use of OpenAI's GPT-3.5 by Microsoft Teams Premium, which enables users to benefit from intelligent meeting recaps that include AI-generated chapters, notes, tasks, and actions. The Microsoft ecosystem is poised to experience exciting developments due to this partnership.

The impact of AI on industries, jobs, and workplace dynamics is certain. The potential applications of AI capabilities are numerous, particularly in the ERP/CRM sector. For instance, Chatbots and conversational AI can effectively handle customer inquiries and provide relevant and context-aware responses. Additionally, efficient information retrieval and knowledge management can automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as data processing and text generation, freeing up time for higher value-adding tasks. As Satya Nadella stated earlier this year, "The AI race starts today, and we're going to move fast. Most importantly, we want to have a lot of fun innovating again." This statement suggests exciting developments to come in the AI space.

Another trend I am tracking is Mixed Reality – and here, there is more AR than VR. Via the blend of physical and digital worlds and unlocking natural and intuitive 3D human, computer, and environmental interaction, Mixed RealityReality can be a massive value-add – industry agnostic – in Healthcare, Manufacturing, Asset Management, Training/Education, and Retail. There are so many use cases I can see Mixed RealityReality making a huge impact – especially for frontline workers.

Actively working with Microsoft's Hololens 2 and building/creating offerings/solutions around Microsoft's Mixed Reality business applications such as Guides or Remote Assist, I can see MR as a true industry disrupter shortly. It should be already on every organization's radar to assess, if not formulate, a Mixed Reality strategy to avoid missing out on the journey or the train here. Also, with Apple expected to release (status-quo even though postponed this year– if we can trust the news) their consumer Mixed Reality devices, I can see that a wider consumer market adoption is also very beneficial for business use cases/adoption.

Another trend (Disclaimer: That has been a trend for a while now) I am still following is automation – From RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and use cases to execute lower value-adding or repetitive tasks such as data entry, invoice processing, etc., via RPA bots what allows employees to spend more time on higher value-adding tasks over automation via robotics such as warehouse automation. Being efficient and resourceful becomes increasingly important in a competitive marketplace, and automation plays right here.

While larger trends in the technology industry are important to consider, it's worth noting that low code and no code development is also a growing trend within the Microsoft ecosystem. As businesses require tailored solutions and system-supported processes that aren't covered by traditional ERP/CRM systems, and as the industry faces a shortage of developers, organizations must think innovatively. Microsoft's PowerPlatform allows for the democratization of app development by empowering tech-savvy end-users to become citizen developers with low-code/no-code platforms. Business users can create customized solutions quickly, similar to how Excel, PowerPoint, and Access databases were used in the past, but now on the PowerPlatform. The DataVerse allows all of these solutions to run on a single common data model. By providing problem-solving tools, Microsoft is enabling business users to take an active role in creating solutions that work for them.

These are four trends I am actively tracking and have on my radar for 2023.

Question 2: What are some opportunities you would be looking at this year?

It's important to monitor the above trends and assess potential opportunities. Given the current economic situation, including high inflation, raised interest rates, and increased costs, many organizations hesitate to invest in additional capital, IT expenditures, or new technologies. However, it's even more critical in times like these to invest in the right areas, the right technologies, and the right implementation partners.

By understanding your organization's immediate needs and pain points and addressing them with technologies, products, and solutions, as highlighted in the above trends, your organization can position itself strongly in the industry and set itself up for sustainable success, even in uncertain economic environments.

Resourceful and spending resources in the right areas is key to staying competitive and efficient, rather than being hesitant and not investing in solutions or technologies, leading to stagnation. As previously mentioned, the increasing adoption of mixed reality in both the consumer and business markets and the integration of AI capabilities in Microsoft's product lines is particularly exciting.

Question 3: Would you like to share some tips on Dynamics 365 Implementation/Migration?

The most important factors/tips - in my opinion - are:

• Project planning: Structure, organization, and planning (e.g., Detailed planning on project goals, success factors, timeline & scope, approach & methodology, entry and exit criteria for project phases, resources & availability of key players on the client side, etc.) are key to a project's success. A client/prospect should thoroughly address such proactively with their implementation partner of choice to ensure there is no room for assumption and there is alignment/consensus.
• Client Involvement: While the implementation partner brings expert knowledge from the industry, Microsoft technologies, and best practices, every organization has its unique business processes (secret sauce) and is operating/managed differently. It is essential to secure key SMEs' time/availability and have consistent client involvement/active discussions to address such uniqueness, account for such recommendations, and allow a client to make informed decisions later on.
• Openness to change: Often, there is some barrier to change. An implementation should be considered an opportunity to change processes that may not have been executed efficiently in the past– not as additional work to learn a new process. Be open to change and do not simply try to replicate status-quo in a new system. Proper Change Management helps to facilitate that mindset/thinking.
• Follow an MVP approach: To avoid scope creep, aligning on an MVP approach is important. We want to build a house – let's first build the foundation and ground floor before we add on a 2nd floor and the roof and add some elevators and cherries on the cake. We at Mazars offer MazarsNow Rapid implementation offerings for Retail/Commerce, Warehousing, Mixed Reality, and Procurement, bringing customers up and running in a fixed scope fixed price engagement. (foundation/ground floor) This gives you an ROI in a short turnaround, and you can use the solution while working on phase 2 and adding to your foundational solution. Often, start with your most immediate needs (e.g., Ecommerce MazarsNow Offering if you have Ecommerce needs) and then add features in a phase 2 engagement that were prioritized lower. A clear roadmap can help clarify where we are going over the next X months/years and give the blueprint of how the house is to be built (and what to consider to reach the end goal).
• Choice of implementation partner: This is a long-term strategic decision - you should choose an implementation partner that aligns with you and your organization regarding innovation, people, industry, culture, capabilities, and vision. It's a digital transformation journey – not a sprint.

Question 4: What is the potential for Microsoft Partners in the USA?

There is an excellent opportunity to provide value and help organizations change/advance and accompany such on their digital transformation journey side by side as trusted advisors. There is a strong need for such partnerships as technology advances quickly, and an organization needs to stay on top of the newest trends to stay competitive – picking up the trend thought from above.

Question 5: How can we leverage Microsoft 365 and Power Apps for improved collaboration?

PowerPlatform empowers the business user with low code and no code. As addressed above, all are based on a common Data mode (DataVerse) – business users can create/collaborate on solutions for their unique business cases and can take advantage of the same underlying data model – picking up the thought about collaboration. An excellent example of how PowerApps can improve collaboration is that you can use such in Mixed Reality Guides on the Hololens 2.

You can interact with the backbone ERP/CRM via PowerApp (with the help of Premium Connectors) in Mixed RealityReality and, e.g., look up onhand inventory or trigger a PO creation in D365FO direct via interaction on the Hololens while being handsfree and on the shop floor. It enables a different way of working as well as collaborating.

Get to Know Our Influencer

What is the best event that you attended recently? What were your key takeaways?

One of my favorite events each year is the North America Microsoft Dynamics Communities Summit. Last year, it was hosted in Orlando. From current/former coworkers & peers, over Microsoft & Microsoft MVP team, customers and prospects, to ISVs and partners, it is always great to reconnect with so many familiar faces from many stages in professional and private life and to see, speak and exchange ideas/thoughts with so many likeminded Microsoft advocates and experts.

Knowledge sharing (best practices, lessons learned, new features) throughout four days of speaking sessions is a key takeaway. Learning is a never-ending process, and it's a lifelong learning journey. I attend as many sessions as possible while also contributing to presenting a handful of speaking sessions. Last year, I held a live demo on Hololens 2 and Mixed Reality Guide supported Asset Management inspection lists, for example. Another event that I am very much looking forward to is the Microsoft DynamicsMinds Conference in Slovenia in May 2023, where I will speak about Hololens 2 and Mixed Reality guide-supported manufacturing processes. The goal is to continue creating awareness around Mixed Reality to open the doors for many more organizations embracing their Mixed Reality journey.

What's your success mantra?

Lead with kindness. Explore with curiosity. Perform for the standard. Those are my three guiding principles in every touchpoint, professionally and in my private life. I lived and breathed daily for my family & friends, my coworker, my peer & firm, and last but not least, my clients.