Unily, a leading provider of intranet solutions, has partnered with Microsoft to develop a Microsoft 365 Graph Connector and Copilot integration, unveiled at the recent Microsoft Build conference. This collaboration aims to enhance organizational productivity by seamlessly integrating Unily's intranet content with Microsoft's suite of tools, including Microsoft Search and Copilot.
Overview of the Unily Microsoft Graph Connector
The Unily Graph Connector allows organizations to index content from their Unily intranet, making it accessible through Microsoft Search and Copilot. This integration supports various document types, such as applications, brand assets, FAQs, forms, quizzes, ideas, locations, mandatory read articles, media content, stories, and knowledge articles. By indexing this content, users can retrieve relevant information directly within Microsoft's ecosystem, streamlining workflows and improving information accessibility.
Capabilities and Features
The integration offers several key capabilities:
- Natural Language Queries: Users can pose questions in natural language to Copilot and receive answers based on Unily's indexed content. For example, queries like "What are the company holidays for 2025?" or "What training programs are available?" can be addressed efficiently.
- Semantic Search: Copilot leverages semantic search to find relevant content based on keywords, personal preferences, and social connections, enhancing the relevance of search results.
While the integration offers significant benefits, there are certain limitations to be aware of:
- Access Control: The connector does not index restricted content, supporting only content without "Manage Read Access."
- Audience Customization: Currently, Copilot responses are not customized for specific audiences as defined in Unily, such as utilizing the 'target audience' property.
- Access Control Lists (ACLs): The connector does not support ACLs, meaning all data indexed using the Unily Knowledge connector is visible to all Microsoft 365 users in the tenant.
To implement the Unily Graph Connector, organizations need to ensure the following:
- Administrative Access: A search administrator role within the Microsoft 365 tenant is required to create new connections.
- Unily Instance URL: The organization's specific Unily instance URL is necessary for configuration.
- Authentication Credentials: Client ID and Client Secret credentials from Unily are required for authentication.
The setup process involves several steps:
- Display Name: Assign a recognizable display name to identify the connection within Copilot.
- Unily URL: Input the organization's Unily URL to establish the connection.
- Authentication: Use OAuth 2.0 for authentication by entering the Client ID and Client Secret.
- Limited Rollout: Optionally, deploy the connection to a limited user base for validation before a broader rollout.
For organizations requiring tailored configurations, the custom setup offers:
- User Access Permissions: Manage data visibility and access controls.
- Content Management: Add or remove properties from Unily data, assign schemas, and define semantic labels.
- Sync Settings: Determine the frequency of data synchronization between Unily and Microsoft Graph.
Post-configuration, administrators can monitor the connection status via the Data Sources tab in the admin center. For issues or feedback, Microsoft Graph support is available to assist.
Enhancing Copilot with Microsoft Graph Connectors
Beyond the Unily integration, Microsoft has introduced several enhancements to Microsoft Graph Connectors to bolster Copilot's capabilities:
- Copilot Extensions and Connectors: Developers can now create Copilot extensions using Graph connectors, allowing for the integration of business and collaboration data into Copilot. This enables custom solutions tailored to specific organizational needs.
- Simplified Setup: The setup process for Graph connectors has been streamlined, reducing the number of mandatory steps and implementing intelligent defaults for a more efficient configuration experience.
- Enhanced Connection Statistics: Administrators now have access to detailed insights into crawled and indexed items, facilitating better monitoring and management of data synchronization.
The collaboration between Unily and Microsoft signifies a substantial advancement in integrating intranet content with Microsoft's productivity tools. By leveraging the Unily Graph Connector, organizations can:
- Improve Information Accessibility: Employees can access intranet content directly through Microsoft Search and Copilot, reducing the time spent searching for information.
- Enhance Productivity: Seamless integration allows for more efficient workflows, as users can retrieve relevant information without switching between platforms.
- Leverage AI Capabilities: Utilizing Copilot's AI features enables more intuitive and effective interactions with organizational content.
The unveiling of the co-developed Microsoft 365 Graph Connector and Copilot integration by Unily and Microsoft at the Microsoft Build conference marks a pivotal development in enterprise productivity solutions. This partnership not only enhances the accessibility of intranet content but also exemplifies the potential of AI-driven tools in transforming workplace efficiency.
Source: KSN.com https://www.ksn.com/business/press-...aph-connector-and-copilot-at-microsoft-build/
