The data story behind sustainability
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Copilot in Dynamics 365: cutting through complexity in manufacturing and industrial machinery
In manufacturing, every decision matters. AI and Copilot turn data into confident action.
Manufacturing and industrial machinery companies operate in some of the most complex environments in business. Every decision, whether about production planning, procurement, or customer delivery, has an impact on machines, people, and supply chains. Leaders know that one small change can disrupt schedules, increase costs, or put customer commitments at risk.
This is exactly where Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Microsoft Copilot in Dynamics 365 can make a difference. By helping companies cut through the noise, Copilot provides fact-based insights and guidance in environments where complexity is the norm. Instead of relying on gut feelings or fragmented spreadsheets, executives and teams can make confident, data-driven decisions much faster and with greater impact.
At 9altitudes, we see Copilot as more than a feature. It is a way to bring structure and clarity to complex operations, step by step, enabling manufacturing companies to improve planning, strengthen product data, and deliver with consistency.
Why Copilot Matters for Manufacturing Companies
The complexity of modern manufacturing is staggering: tight production schedules, volatile supply chains, growing customer demands for customization, and pressure to reduce costs, all while maintaining quality and compliance.
Traditionally, decisions often rely more on intuition than on solid data, leading to inefficiencies, delays, and inconsistent quality.
This is where Copilot can make a difference. By surfacing insights from across Dynamics 365, it supports decision-making with facts rather than instincts. As Bo P. Winther, Business Central specialist at 9altitudes notes: “AI can remove bad decisions from daily operations and help companies see through the complexity that slows them down.”
For executives, that translates into faster decision cycles, higher delivery performance, and more resilient operations, all essential to stay competitive.
Use Cases of Copilot in Dynamics 365 Business Central for Manufacturing
1. Smarter planning and resource allocation
Every manufacturer knows the scenario: production is fully planned when a salesperson walks in with an urgent order for a strategic customer. Suddenly, priorities shift: raw materials need to be reassigned, timelines need to be renegotiated, and costs risk spiraling out of control.
Copilot can simulate these trade-offs in real time, showing the impact on existing orders, material consumption, and delivery commitments. Instead of relying on manual adjustments, planners gain transparency and can act quickly and confidently.
2. Product lifecycle and master data management (ERP + PLM)
Operational excellence in ERP is only half of the story. The other half lies in how new products are designed, structured, and brought into production. That’s where PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems such as PTC Windchill play a vital role.
AI can help companies avoid creating duplicate items, reuse past experience, and improve the quality of their product data. The result: fewer design errors, faster time-to-market, and more reliable costing.
While Copilot today is embedded in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 stack, the real strategic value comes when ERP insights and PLM data are connected. “Windchill doesn’t yet have Copilot “out of the box,” but with 9altitudes’ expertise, companies can bridge both worlds and build a truly AI-enabled value chain,” says Bo P. Winther.
When ERP and PLM are both AI-supported, the benefits multiply: structured master data flows seamlessly into execution, while execution insights flow back into product design. This is where Copilot in Dynamics 365, combined with Windchill, delivers lasting business impact.
3. Operational support on the shop floor
Copilot is not limited to back-office functions. On the shop floor, frontline workers can also benefit. Through integrations with platforms like Tulip, AI can guide operators, conduct quality checks, or even prevent errors in assembly and packaging.
Bo P. Winther: “In the future, we may see what I would call ‘surveillance agents’ – systems that check whether the right parts are used at each step, helping prevent errors and costly rework.”
4. Predictive scenarios
Predictive maintenance and quality inspection are emerging areas where AI will have significant impact. While these capabilities are not yet fully embedded in Business Central, the Microsoft ecosystem (including Azure AI and IoT integrations) is rapidly evolving.
From analyzing sensor data to inspecting product output with cameras, AI can detect anomalies earlier than humans can. For executives, this means fewer unexpected downtimes, longer equipment lifespans, and higher customer satisfaction.
Beyond ERP: Building a Connected, AI-driven Enterprise
The evolution of Copilot is accelerating. Just one year ago, it was introduced in Business Central; today, new releases are already packed with AI-driven features. Many companies already see the potential of AI. What they struggle with is how to adopt it without disrupting their operations.
At 9altitudes, we believe in a step-by-step journey:
- Start small: Leverage embedded Copilot features in Dynamics 365 to support daily tasks like reporting, planning, and customer communication.
- Scale up: Expand into more advanced scenarios with Copilot Studio, custom AI agents, and integrations with Azure AI and Tulip.
- Go end-to-end: Unite ERP (Dynamics 365) with PLM (PTC Windchill) and CRM to create a connected, AI-enabled enterprise.
What sets 9altitudes apart is our ability to connect the dots. We combine deep expertise across ERP, CRM, PLM, Azure, Fabric, and shop floor systems like Tulip. We know where the data lives, how to structure it, and how to create real ROI for our clients.
This is not about experimenting with fragmented AI tools. It is about building on standardized, enterprise-ready platforms. This ensures scalability, compliance, and long-term value creation.
Key Takeaways for Manufacturing Leaders
For manufacturing leaders, the AI conversation is not about technology; it’s about competitiveness, resilience, and customer satisfaction. Copilot in Dynamics 365 addresses these priorities directly: smarter planning for higher utilization, better product data for faster time-to-market, and frontline support to boost efficiency and reduce waste. All within a secure, enterprise-ready Microsoft ecosystem.
As Daniel Hillebrand Hansen, AI Lead at 9altitudes, notes: “We do see companies experimenting with other AI platforms, but once they realize the security and integration advantages of Microsoft, they tend to move those initiatives back into the stack. That’s where AI stops being a side project and becomes part of a trusted enterprise platform.”
In an industry facing rising customer demands, supply chain volatility, labor shortages, and sustainability pressures, incremental improvements are no longer enough. Copilot in Dynamics 365 offers a practical, scalable way forward. And when combined with PLM solutions like PTC Windchill, it enables true end-to-end transformation.
At 9altitudes, we guide companies on this journey step by step, from first experiments with Copilot to advanced integrations across ERP, PLM, and the shop floor. We connect strategy with execution, ensuring that AI delivers real business impact.
Discover how Copilot in Dynamics 365 can transform your manufacturing operations. Reach out to a 9altitudes expert to start your journey.
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