Sensei consolidates solutions, automates workflows, and improves security with Microsoft 365 and Copilot

Sensei is a wellbeing retreat company that wanted to consolidate and integrate several third-party software tools while embracing secure use of generative AI.

The company rolled out Microsoft 365 to reduce the number of internal apps and better connect systems for easier collaboration. This helped make employees more efficient and reduced routine tasks.

Sensei cut its third-party tools from 15 to 6, saving more than $60,000 annually. This not only improved data security and made it easier to automate workflows, but it also freed up employees to focus on the strategic work they were hired to do.

We offer a high-end experience, and staff can’t be wasting time logging into multiple systems. Microsoft 365 provides a unified working environment, which makes business continuity and operations easier.

Nick DeMarco, Vice President of Information Technology, Sensei

Sensei offers guests personalized, data-driven, and scientifically sound wellness services from world-class retreats in Hawaii and Palm Springs, California. The company develops preventative wellness programs to encourage people to live longer, healthier lives.

With roughly 160 employees around the globe and a lean IT department, Sensei wanted to automate and streamline. Logging into 15 IT solutions was cumbersome, and it was difficult to connect data and keep it updated across systems. Storing information in multiple tools posed security and data management concerns.

Enhanced operational efficiency and more value from existing solutions

Sensei deployed Microsoft 365 company-wide,then expanded with Microsoft 365 Copilot to a test group across business functions.

Microsoft 365 replaced most of the company’s third-party solutions, since file storage and sharing, instant messaging, email, and more are included in the suite and interact seamlessly. “We offer a high-end experience, and staff can’t be wasting time logging into multiple systems. Microsoft 365 provides a unified working environment, which makes business continuity and operations easier,” says Nick DeMarco, Vice President of Information Technology at Sensei.

Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort, in Lānaʻi, HI

Sensei integrates its remaining third-party solutions with Microsoft 365 apps, like Teams. People exchange performance feedback with the Culture Amp HR solution, submit expenses and get approvals using the Teampay spend management tool, and do task management with Asana—all within the Teams platform they use for communication throughout the day.

When Copilot became available, Sensei saw even more benefits. With “Prioritize my inbox,” DeMarco ensures that he sees the most important email messages in a crowded inbox. Mark Oller, Design Director at Sensei, uses Copilot in PowerPoint to edit and summarize, organizing his thoughts faster to create focused, concise presentations. Another favorite feature is Copilot in Teams, which employees use to summarize meetings and extract action items without having to worry about taking notes or overlooking assigned tasks.

Streamlined IT solutions boost productivity, lower costs

Sensei has increased efficiency. ”Microsoft 365 Copilot improves my productivity and focus. I spend less time documenting meeting outcomes and more time in a creative space,” says Oller.

The company brought everything together on one platform, simplifying workflows and reducing costs. “We save more than $60,000 annually by consolidating on Microsoft 365. We can do more with less, and the amount of research and development that Microsoft does makes our investment future-proof,” says DeMarco.

DeMarco sees generative AI as a powerful tool for developing ideas and offerings. “In a remote work environment, Microsoft 365 Copilot boosts creativity and helps me think through ideas as if I were collaborating with a coworker," he explains.

Consolidated, comprehensive security

Sensei handles a significant amount of personal health information, so security and compliance are paramount for business communications and operations. This data must be managed daily to ensure a great guest experience while maintaining the highest security level.

When practitioners help guests, Microsoft 365 Copilot pulls vetted data on approved wellness practices from Microsoft SharePoint and other connected apps, for a tailored experience. Sensei uses Microsoft Defender for Office 365 to secure communication in email and collaboration tools, and Microsoft Defender for Business to strengthen endpoint protection across operating systems on company-issued Windows and Macintosh laptops. These solutions help maintain compliance with industry regulations, with Defender for Business providing unified security tools and centralized management, which helps the small IT department support the company.

DeMarco says, “Microsoft 365 helps us scale with finite staff and budget while protecting customers’ data and our IT environment. The integration enables us to get more value from existing solutions, and Microsoft apps are the language that employees speak.”

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