The challenge: reducing workload without compromising reliability
As a not-for-profit organization, GS1 collaborates globally with companies across various sectors to establish a universal system for product identification and data sharing. Entirely committed to its members, GS1 works with hospitals, retailers, food producers, and fashion brands alike.
The goal? Enable access to reliable product data with a single scan, empowering everyone to make informed decisions. In doing so, GS1 helps organizations meet today’s demands—and those of tomorrow—with confidence.
With operations becoming more complex, the need arose to work smarter and streamline processes using AI. The key question: how do you ensure that an investment in tools like Microsoft Copilot immediately delivers value while enabling employees to work with AI in a secure and responsible way?
The approach: four sessions, all employees, one shared starting point
GS1 deliberately opted for a broad and pragmatic approach. After engaging with multiple partners, they chose Macaw for the right fit, deep expertise, and ability to align with existing preparation.
In four interactive sessions, all 90 employees received training based on Microsoft’s adoption framework, tailored to GS1’s daily practice. The focus wasn’t on the technology itself, but on its impact on day-to-day work:
- How agents help gather internal information.
- How to create a Kanban board using generated pages with Copilot.
- How PowerPoint presentations are automatically built.
- How Word documents are created from notes.
- How to search more efficiently in Teams or Excel.
“The enthusiasm after the sessions was tangible. Some teams got started right away, while others needed a little extra support. That’s part of the adoption journey.”
— Sebastiaan van Zundert, Manager IT Development, GS1
The sessions also offered space to exchange experiences, ask questions, and work hands-on with their own documents.
“The trainer combination worked really well: Lars explained things clearly and simply, while Amancio provided more depth for colleagues who wanted to go further,” adds Sebastiaan.
The result: immediate time savings and a shared knowledge base
The impact was felt right away. Employees experienced firsthand how daily tasks could be completed faster and easier. Take file searching, for example: previously, employees lost valuable time looking for the right version, but now Copilot finds the right files instantly via OneDrive. What used to take minutes—or longer—now takes just seconds.
Equally important: all employees started with the same foundational knowledge. This created a shared language, smoothed the path for future projects, and built support across the organization.
At the same time, it became clear: quality data is a must. Without well-governed, reliable data, you won’t unlock the full potential of AI. That’s why GS1 has been actively working on data quality and access management, in parallel with further AI development.
The vision: from Copilot to AI agents and custom solutions
For GS1, Copilot was just the beginning. The next step? Using Copilot Studio to build AI agents that support internal processes, and leveraging Azure AI to deliver more advanced, participant-focused solutions. It’s a shift that many organizations are recognizing—moving from individual productivity to process optimization and customer-specific AI solutions.
Macaw: your guide in the Era of AI
Want to discover how your organization can work smarter with AI—without compromising on reliability or security?
Macaw has over 30 years of experience in technology and innovation. With 450 experts, we help organizations realize their ambitions through the smart use of data, design, and AI. As a premium Microsoft partner, we are your guide in the Era of AI.
