Microsoft Scenario Library Finance Intelligent sales forecasting​

Available with: Copilot for Microsoft 365

Finance scenario: Intelligent sales forecasting​

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Scenario

Using Copilot for intelligent sales forecasting

Sales forecasting requires extensive data analysis and Copilot can help with assistance writing code for queries and getting assistance with Excel formulas and charts.

1. Prepare and cleanse data​

Aggregate historical sales data into an Excel spreadsheet, then use Copilot for guidance on how to standardize the data formatting.​

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Copilot in Excel

Example prompt: Suggest formulas to standardize the data formatting, including removing trailing spaces and correcting capitalization.​

Use Copilot in Excel to create new datasets for the analysis.

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Copilot in Excel

Example prompt: Add columns to create a 12-month rolling average.

Use Analyst to ask specific questions about the data.​

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Copilot Studio Agent

Example prompt: What are my top 3 product categories, by revenue, over the last 3 years?​

Use Analyst to forecast annual sales.​

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Copilot Studio Agent

Example prompt: Forecast revenue by category for the next two years, with historic data in a single chart.​

Evaluate the forecast output and adjust the forecast model if needed.​

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Copilot Studio Agent

Action: Adjust the Python code in the workbook to refine and rerun the forecast as needed.​

Create a summary of the forecast and share the results with the team.

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Copilot Studio Agent

Example prompt: Create a summary of the forecast highlighting the top three product categories.​

KPIs

Opportunity to impact key functional area KPIs

How Microsoft Copilot can help average request times

Microsoft Copilot can help with lowering resolution times which in turn ​leads to increased agent productivity and higher customer satisfaction rates.​
Boost productivity​
  • Rapidly find information​
  • Diagnose problems faster​
  • Check for similar issues and resolutions​
  • Quickly send follow-up communications​

How Copilot can improve risk management

Finance teams grapple with complex tasks—from credit and collections to risk management and compliance. Get real-time insights and strategic recommendations. By automating mundane tasks, Microsoft Copilot frees up time for critical decisions, streamlining audits, simplifying collections, and accelerating financial reporting.
Speed data analysis and reporting
  • Quickly analyze trends
  • Generate informative charts
  • Create strategy presentations

How Microsoft Copilot can reduce finance department spending

As a cost center, Finance teams face the challenge of constantly achieving more with fewer resources. By assisting with everyday tasks, Microsoft Copilot can help increase time for additional analysis, proactive audits, collections processes, and financial reporting.
Keep communication lines open
  • Draft communications such as approval requests, status emails, and supplier communications
  • Summarize stakeholder meetings around budget status and approvals
  • Create sourcing strategy decks

How Copilot can help reduce spend on financial systems and tooling

Microsoft Copilot can be extended into processes to bring data together and speed decision-making without performing expensive updates to financial systems.
Inform your decisions:
  • Draft budgets and spreadsheets
  • Search for cost variances across different options

How Microsoft Copilot can help reduce days sales outstanding

Collections play a crucial role in any business. Timely and efficient collections help ensure healthy cash flow, liquidity, and operational efficiency. 
Improve collections process
  • Use Copilot to organize information from past interactions
  • Draft communications with Copilot clearly outlining the collection process
  • Analyze different payment methods and its effectiveness

1Access Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat at m365copilot.com, or the Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat mobile app and set toggle to “Web”.

2Access Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat at m365copilot.com, the Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat mobile app, or the Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat app in Teams, and set toggle to “Work”.

3AI Agents allow Copilot to access your organization-specific apps. In the past this would have required an API call to get data from a system of record.

The content in this example scenario is for demonstration purposes only. You should evaluate how Copilot aligns with your organization’s business processes, regulatory requirements, and responsible AI principles.