WOMEN IN TECH: MARGARET HAMILTON

This newsletter was written entirely by Microsoft Copilot in Word, simply by entering the following prompt: “Write a newsletter that is 300-400 words describing the value of Microsoft CoPilot to small businesses citing specific real world examples.” Microsoft CoPilot is a game-changer for small businesses, offering a suite of tools designed to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and foster innovation. Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, CoPilot integrates seamlessly with Microsoft's suite of Office applications, providing businesses with a robust support system to navigate their daily operations with ease. Enhanced Productivity One of the primary benefits of Microsoft CoPilot is its ability to boost productivity. For instance, a small marketing agency can utilize CoPilot to automate routine tasks such as generating reports, scheduling social media posts, and even drafting content. By reducing the time spent on these repetitive activities, team members can focus on more strategic initiatives, ultimately driving growth and success. Streamlined Workflows CoPilot's integration with tools like Microsoft Teams and Outlook ensures that communication and collaboration are more efficient than ever. Consider a small retail business that relies heavily on team coordination. CoPilot can help by organizing meetings, setting reminders, and managing email correspondence. This ensures that all team members are on the same page, reducing the likelihood of miscommunication and errors. Fostering Innovation Innovation is crucial for the survival and growth of any business, and Microsoft CoPilot serves as a catalyst for creativity. For example, a small tech startup can leverage CoPilot to analyze market trends, brainstorm new product ideas, and even prototype designs. By providing valuable insights and recommendations, CoPilot empowers businesses to stay ahead of the competition and continuously evolve. Real-World Examples Several small businesses have already reaped the benefits of Microsoft CoPilot. A local bakery, for instance, used CoPilot to optimize its inventory management, reducing waste and ensuring timely replenishment of ingredients. This not only cut costs but also improved overall efficiency. Another example is a small consulting firm that employed CoPilot to automate its client billing process, ensuring accuracy and saving valuable time. In summary, Microsoft CoPilot is an invaluable tool for small businesses, offering unparalleled support in enhancing productivity, streamlining workflows, and fostering innovation. By leveraging the power of AI, CoPilot enables businesses to operate more efficiently and creatively, ensuring long-term success in a competitive marketplace.

Three things in life are certain: death, taxes and the persistent threat of cyberattacks. There are many layers of defense in the onion of cyber security, but at the helm is your firewall. Traditionally firewalls have always been the piece of hardware acting as a barrier between your office network and the wilds of the internet. Then in 2020 the way we work was transformed forever by the global pandemic. Nearly a third of the workforce transitioned to remote, leaving offices empty. Many employees continue to work in non-traditional spaces to this day. How can we defend them against cyberattacks if they are outside the protective reach of an on premise firewall? A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Think of it as a moat with a bridge and a guard shack that surrounds a castle. The guards and the moat are the firewall, acting as a barrier and between a trusted internal network (the castle) and untrusted external networks (random people trying to get in), helping to prevent unauthorized access to and from the castle while allowing legitimate traffic to pass through. The outside forces have to “check in” with the guards before they can cross the moat and access the castle.