GS1 Lays the Groundwork for Organization-Wide AI Adoption Through Copilot Workshops

More and more organizations are struggling with increasing workloads, fragmented information, and the question of how to deploy AI safely and effectively. The goal is clear: to work smarter without compromising on quality and reliability.

GS1 decided to tackle this head-on and opted for organization-wide Copilot workshops, developed and facilitated by Macaw. The result: immediately applicable knowledge, enthusiastic teams, and a solid foundation for the next step with AI.

The challenge: reducing workload without compromising reliability

As a not-for-profit organization, GS1 collaborates globally with companies from various sectors to develop a universal system for product identification and data sharing. The organization is fully committed to its participants, ranging from hospitals and retailers to food producers and apparel brands.

GS1 strives to provide access to reliable data about every product with a single scan, so that everyone can make the right choice. In this way, GS1 helps companies and organizations confidently meet the demands of today and tomorrow.

Due to the increasing dynamism within the organization, there was a need to work smarter with AI and optimize processes. The question was clear: how do you ensure that an investment in tools such as Microsoft Copilot delivers immediate value, while employees use AI safely and responsibly?

The approach: four sessions, all employees, one shared starting point

GS1 deliberately opted for a broad and pragmatic approach. After discussions with several parties, the choice fell on Macaw, due to the personal connection, the expertise, and the ability to align with the existing preparations.

In four interactive sessions, all 90 employees received training based on Microsoft’s adoption framework, adapted to GS1’s day-to-day operations. The focus was not on the technology itself, but on its impact on daily work.

During the sessions, employees discovered, among other things:

how AI agents help gather internal information
how to use Copilot to create a kanban board based on generated pages
how PowerPoint presentations can be automatically structured
how Word compiles documents based on notes
how to search more effectively in Teams and Excel

The enthusiasm after the sessions was clearly evident. Some teams got started right away, while others still need a little extra help. That’s part of the adoption process.

Sebastiaan van Zundert, IT Development Manager at GS1

There was also time to share experiences, ask questions, and practice directly with their own documents.

The combination of trainers worked well. Lars was able to explain things very simply, while Amancio provided more in-depth insights for colleagues who wanted to go further.

Sebastiaan van Zundert, IT Development Manager at GS1

The result: immediate time savings and a uniform level of knowledge

The impact was immediately visible. Employees experienced how daily tasks could be performed faster and more easily.

A practical example is finding files. Where employees previously wasted valuable time searching, Copilot helps them find files directly through OneDrive. What used to take minutes or longer now takes just a few seconds.

Equally valuable is that all employees started with the same foundational knowledge. This created a common language, simplified follow-up projects, and generated greater buy-in within the organization.

At the same time, it became clear that high-quality data is a key prerequisite. Without reliable and well-managed data, you cannot get the most out of AI. That is why GS1 is actively working on data quality and access management in parallel with the further development of AI.

The Vision: From Copilot to AI Agents and Custom Solutions

Copilot was the starting point for GS1. The next step is to use Copilot Studio to develop AI agents that support internal processes.

In addition, GS1 plans to use Azure AI to create more advanced solutions for its members. This trend is widely recognized. Many organizations are shifting their focus from individual productivity to process optimization and organization-specific AI solutions.

Challenge: GS1 wanted to reduce the growing workload while ensuring the reliability of information. The organization saw opportunities to optimize processes using AI, but wanted to ensure that employees used tools such as Microsoft Copilot safely and responsibly. The challenge lay in creating immediate value from AI without compromising quality and trust.
Approach: Macaw developed and facilitated an organization-wide program consisting of four interactive Copilot sessions for all 90 GS1 employees. The training sessions were based on Microsoft’s adoption framework and focused on practical applications, such as creating presentations, documents, and analyses with Copilot. The combination of accessible explanations and deeper technical insights fostered enthusiasm, engagement, and a shared foundation for further AI adoption.
Result: GS1 employees immediately saved time because daily tasks, such as searching for documents, were completed much more quickly. Thanks to the training sessions, everyone now has the same level of knowledge, which strengthens collaboration and support for future AI projects.

Work Hours and Location

This position is for 32–40 hours per week. The team works two days a week from our headquarters in Hoofddorp; the remaining days, we work from home or at the client’s location.

Salary

A competitive salary commensurate with your knowledge, experience, and contributions. We also offer a comprehensive retirement plan, including WGA and WIA coverage.

Working from Home

Working from home has now become the norm. That’s why we believe it’s important for our colleagues to have a comfortable and healthy workspace at home as well. We’re happy to help you choose the right chair, monitor, desk, computer glasses, or headphones. Of course, we also offer an internet subscription.

Vacation

We offer 29 vacation days per year as standard, along with a vacation allowance, and the option to accrue up to 10 additional vacation days.

Continuing Education & Development

Working in IT is a journey filled with learning experiences. At macaw, we support you by investing in your development.

Our Office

We have a modern and welcoming office with plenty of space, where you can work alongside colleagues or take a moment to focus in peace and quiet. We serve a delicious lunch every day. And if you want to unwind at the office, you can challenge a colleague to a game of pool, table tennis, or a game on the Xbox at any time.

Step 1
’s Introductory Process

We’d love to get to know you! Once you’ve expressed interest in us, one of our recruitment consultants will call you. We’ll tell you more about Macaw, are genuinely interested in you, and are happy to answer any initial questions you may have.