South African businesses are no longer testing AI. They are putting it into daily operations and measuring results.
Retail, public sector, banking, and asset management teams are already saving time, improving service delivery, and shortening decision cycles using Microsoft Copilot and Azure AI.
These outcomes share one pattern. AI works when it is rolled out with structure, security, and clear ownership.
Real results from South Africa
At SPAR South Africa, Microsoft 365 Copilot is embedded in everyday work. Adoption reached 67 percent of employees. The business recorded around 715 hours saved, equal to roughly 89 workdays. Ninety three percent of users reported higher productivity. Content creation sped up. Meeting follow ups improved.
At the South African Revenue Service, AI now supports tax return assessments and taxpayer responses. Millions of assessments are handled at scale. Around 300,000 AI generated responses are delivered in seconds. Speed improved. The taxpayer experience improved.
The Youth Employment Service uses Azure AI and GitHub Copilot to run a national platform with close to full uptime. Engineering teams move faster. About 45 percent of participants secure permanent employment within six months. Cost per successful placement stays low and predictable.
Standard Bank built an internal AI help desk using Copilot Studio. Around 99 percent of employee IT queries are resolved automatically. Support teams focus on complex issues instead of repetitive tickets.
The Public Investment Corporation uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to reduce admin overhead. Meeting note creation time dropped by about 95 percent. Investment decision cycles shortened from roughly twelve months to six.
These are not pilots. These are production outcomes.
Where Braintree fits
Braintree approaches AI as an operating layer across your business, not a tool rollout.
We start with Copilot where it delivers fast, visible value. We extend into Azure AI and other approved large language models when workloads demand it. One roadmap. One security model. One view of governance and risk.
You validate readiness before committing at scale.
Beyond Copilot
Copilot is the entry point for most teams. Email, documents, meetings, and collaboration improve immediately.
Some use cases need more.
Data teams use Azure OpenAI models connected to private data.
Service teams deploy Copilot Studio agents for internal and customer support.
Finance and operations teams embed AI into workflows and line of business systems.
Braintree designs this as a single journey, not disconnected projects.
The Braintree AI Jumpstart Program
Before licenses are assigned or rollouts begin, we run the Braintree AI Jumpstart Program.
This is a focused three-hour working session designed to remove uncertainty.
We assess your Microsoft 365 and data posture.
We review security and compliance readiness for AI.
We identify high value Copilot use cases by role.
We confirm where Copilot fits and where other LLMs make sense.
We define a phased rollout tied to real business outcomes.
For most organisations, this is the best three hour investment they make before committing to AI. It prevents stalled pilots, unused licences, and uncontrolled AI usage.
If you want Copilot and AI delivering measurable results in your business, start with the right foundation.
Speak to Braintree about the AI Jumpstart Program and your Copilot journey.
