Automate · Reduce manual work
Azure OpenAI Service, set up properly for a UK SME
Your team already uses AI, often through personal ChatGPT accounts. You want the benefits without company data going somewhere nobody controls. Azure OpenAI Service runs OpenAI models inside Microsoft Azure, under your organisation's account, access controls and chosen region. We help SMEs decide whether it is the right route, then build on it.
We reply within one working day. No obligation.
Why SMEs look at Azure OpenAI
Staff paste client or company information into consumer AI tools
- 01You want AI inside your own workflows and apps, not only a chat window
- 02Clients or contracts ask where your data is processed
- 03You want AI to work with content already in Microsoft 365 and SharePoint
Next step
We reply within one working day. No obligation.
What we build on Azure OpenAI
A private AI assistant for staff
Private AI for business: a chat assistant for your team that works over approved company content, with sign-in through your Microsoft accounts.
AI steps in your workflows
Reading, sorting and drafting inside Power Automate workflows. See AI Workflow Automation.
Document processing
Extracting and checking data from documents. See AI Document Processing. (link: /services/automate/ai-document-processing)
Agents that need more
Copilot Studio agents that call Azure OpenAI models when a task needs it. See Copilot Studio Agents.
Next step
We reply within one working day. No obligation.
What makes Azure OpenAI different
It runs in your own Azure subscription, not a personal account
- 01You choose the region and deployment type, including UK and EU options where the model you need is available
- 02Microsoft states that prompts and outputs are not used to train OpenAI's models
- 03Access is controlled through Microsoft Entra ID, the same accounts staff already use
- 04Content filtering, logging and monitoring are available and configurable
- 05Usage is billed through your Azure account, so costs are visible and can be capped
When Azure OpenAI is not the right choice
If your staff mainly need help writing emails and documents inside Microsoft 365, Microsoft 365 Copilot or Copilot Chat may be simpler, and AI & Copilot Adoption is the better starting point. If nobody in the business will own an Azure subscription, we will talk through what support that needs before recommending it.
How we work
- 01
Understand
We learn the use case, the data involved and any client or regulatory requirements.
- 02
Assess
We compare the options, such as Copilot, Azure OpenAI or a simpler tool, and estimate running costs.
- 03
Improve
We set up the Azure resources, access, filtering and logging, then build the assistant, workflow or integration.
- 04
Support
We monitor usage and costs, and adjust as needs change.
FAQs
Common questions
What is Azure OpenAI Service?
Microsoft's way of offering OpenAI models, such as the GPT family, through Azure. You use them under your organisation's Azure account, with Microsoft's enterprise terms, access controls and region choices.
Is Azure OpenAI the same as ChatGPT?
They use related models, but they are different products with different terms. ChatGPT is OpenAI's own app. Azure OpenAI is a service you build on inside Azure. Our guide, Azure OpenAI vs ChatGPT for business, covers the differences in detail.
Where is our data processed?
In the Azure region and deployment type you choose. UK and EU options exist for many models, but not every model is available in every region, so we confirm this for your use case.
Is our data used to train the models?
Microsoft states that prompts and outputs sent to Azure OpenAI are not used to train OpenAI's models. We walk you through Microsoft's data handling terms for your setup.
How is Azure OpenAI charged?
By usage, through your Azure bill, based on how much text the models process. We estimate running costs for your use case before building. We do not publish our own prices.
Do we need an Azure subscription?
Yes. We can work in your existing subscription or set one up with you.
Do you offer Azure OpenAI consultancy only, or development too?
Both. Some clients want advice on whether and how to use it. Most want us to build the first assistant or workflow as well.
Get AI your business can control
Book a free consultation and tell us what you want AI to do. We will tell you whether Azure OpenAI is the right route. We reply within one working day. Button: Book a free consultation · Secondary link: Read Azure vs ChatGPT guide