Introduction

In a significant advancement for workplace productivity, Unily, a leading provider of intranet solutions, has partnered with Microsoft to develop a Microsoft 365 Graph Connector and integrate with Microsoft Copilot. This collaboration aims to streamline information access and enhance employee efficiency by seamlessly connecting Unily's intranet content with Microsoft's AI-driven tools.

Background

Unily is renowned for its comprehensive intranet solutions that facilitate internal communication, collaboration, and knowledge management within organizations. Microsoft 365 Copilot, on the other hand, is an AI-powered assistant designed to enhance productivity by providing intelligent suggestions and automating routine tasks within the Microsoft 365 suite.

The Integration

The newly developed Unily Graph Connector allows organizations to index content from their Unily intranet, making it accessible through Microsoft Copilot and other Microsoft Search clients. This integration enables employees to retrieve relevant intranet content directly within their daily workflows, reducing the time spent searching for information and improving overall productivity.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive Content Indexing: The connector supports a wide range of Unily content types, including applications, documents, brand assets, FAQs, forms, quizzes, ideas, locations, mandatory read articles, media content, stories, and knowledge articles.
  • Natural Language Queries: Employees can use natural language to ask questions, and Copilot will provide answers based on the indexed Unily content. For example:
    • "What are the company holidays for 2025?"
    • "What events are planned for national heritage month?"
    • "What training programs are available?"
  • Semantic Search: Copilot leverages semantic search capabilities to deliver more relevant results by understanding the context and intent behind user queries.

Technical Details

To implement the Unily Graph Connector, organizations need to:

  1. Authentication: Utilize OAuth 2.0 with a Client ID and Client Secret obtained from Unily to authenticate the connection.
  2. Configuration: Set up the connector through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, specifying the Unily instance URL and configuring content properties and sync settings.
  3. Deployment: Optionally, deploy the connection to a limited user base for validation before a broader rollout.

It's important to note that the connector currently does not support Access Control Lists (ACLs), meaning all indexed data is visible to all Microsoft 365 users within the tenant. Future updates are expected to address this limitation.

Implications and Impact

This integration offers several benefits:

  • Enhanced Productivity: By providing quick access to intranet content within familiar Microsoft 365 applications, employees can make informed decisions faster.
  • Improved Collaboration: Seamless access to shared knowledge fosters better collaboration across teams.
  • Streamlined Information Retrieval: Reducing the need to switch between platforms minimizes workflow disruptions and enhances efficiency.

Conclusion

The partnership between Unily and Microsoft marks a significant step forward in integrating intranet solutions with AI-driven productivity tools. By bridging the gap between Unily's rich content repositories and Microsoft's intelligent search capabilities, organizations can unlock new levels of efficiency and collaboration in the digital workplace.