Every seller experiences time lost between sales activities due to the chaotic influx of information—emails, screenshots, and documents—which makes CRM management cumbersome and error-prone. Dynamics 365 Sales addresses these challenges with agentic AI that adapts to the natural workflows of sellers by understanding unstructured inputs and providing real-time assistance.

One of the key innovations is the Data Entry Agent, which employs large language models to analyze and extract essential details from various data sources, significantly speeding up lead and contact creation. For instance, with Smart Paste, a seller can swiftly capture lead information from an email, as the system intelligently suggests values for the relevant fields, citing their sources for accuracy. This drastically reduces manual data entry, allowing sellers to log information confidently and quickly.

The Files feature also streamlines post-event follow-ups by enabling sellers to upload images of business cards or documents directly into CRM. The system processes these files and populates relevant fields automatically, transforming hours of manual input into mere minutes.

Furthermore, the Data Exploration Agent simplifies data analysis by interpreting natural language requests, enabling sellers to find key records or understand trends without navigating complex filters. For example, a seller can simply type a request like, “Leads from the Summer Campaign created last month,” and the system automatically generates the necessary filters.

These enhancements not only improve productivity by minimizing administrative tasks but also enable sellers to engage more meaningfully with customers, making Dynamics 365 Sales a powerful tool for modern selling.

The real AI revolution is happening behind the scenes | Sheila Long O’Mara

For years, the mattress industry has focused on flashy "sleep tech" innovations like adjustable bases and cooling features. However, a more profound transformation is underway in product development, sales, and consumer interactions, driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

In product development, AI is revolutionizing how manufacturers design mattresses. By analyzing warranty data, customer feedback, and component performance, AI models can predict durability and identify failure points before prototyping. This results in fewer product misfires, accelerated development cycles, and smarter designs, which means less guesswork and more efficient production.

AI's influence extends to the sales process, where it significantly enhances the retail experience. AI-powered tools help retailers match consumer sleep habits, body types, and preferences with specific mattress models, creating a more tailored shopping environment. This is especially beneficial for retailers facing high turnover among sales associates, as it establishes a consistent baseline of expertise that improves customer service.

Furthermore, AI is reshaping the consumer journey. Today’s mattress shoppers begin their research online, exploring features like back pain relief and comparing different types of mattresses. Retailers are harnessing AI to customize content, streamline messaging, and improve digital customer experiences. Chatbots powered by AI can assist online, while analytics help track ad performance and customer engagement trends.

In summary, AI is intricately linking the disjointed online research and in-store purchasing phases. Although the implementation of AI requires careful data management to be effective, the mattress industry is already embracing this quiet yet transformative shift. As AI continues to redefine mattress manufacturing, marketing, and sales, the industry's evolution is poised to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency significantly.

A report by The Consumer Goods Forum’s Plastic Waste Coalition of Action reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly enhance packaging design, waste sorting, and material traceability throughout the supply chain. The report, "Exploring AI for Packaging Circularity," developed with Bain & Company, identifies four actionable AI use cases that can transform the industry.

One key application is optimized packaging design, where 70% of companies believe AI will have the most substantial impact. AI assists in material reduction during the design phase, promoting sustainability. Additionally, advanced sorting and material traceability are vital, as 40% of respondents indicate that AI can help pinpoint material loss in the supply chain.

Currently, 30% of companies are already utilizing AI in various aspects of their packaging lifecycle, including improving sorting efficiency at end-of-life stages.

Despite the benefits, the report outlines five major challenges hindering broader AI adoption in packaging. These include technical constraints with new materials, ensuring practical recyclability, integrating more recycled content, developing refillable systems, and gathering accurate regulatory data.

Cedric Dever, managing director of Plastic Waste at The Consumer Goods Forum, emphasized AI's potential to revolutionize packaging circularity and urged collaboration across the value chain. Magali Deryckere from Bain & Co highlighted AI's ability to tackle the complex trade-offs in packaging sustainability.

Mario Abreu of Ferrero added that while AI won't single-handedly resolve packaging circularity, its strategic use can greatly accelerate progress. The report serves as a guide for industry players to harness AI’s potential effectively and collaboratively.

Frontier Transformation in Retail: How Agentic AI Robots are Redefining Store Experiences
By Ricardo Villarreal, Director of Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Labs

In today's competitive landscape, organizations must enhance personalization and efficiency while managing elevated expectations. Microsoft’s insights reveal that Frontier Firms, which integrate AI as a foundational capability, are reimagining operational models and overcoming these challenges.

Frontier Firms leverage adaptive intelligence, resulting in three main benefits: real-time awareness, prioritization of tasks, and natural interaction. These capabilities lead to faster services, tailored recommendations, and fewer operational disruptions. As agentic AI becomes more sophisticated, businesses can provide seamless customer guidance, freeing employees to focus on high-value tasks and improving visibility for leaders.

In the retail sector, agentic AI robots are enhancing customer experiences and operational performance. For instance, studies indicate that 75% of consumers prefer personalized recommendations, while nearly 40% of in-store complaints stem from long wait times. By implementing AI tools that minimize repetitive tasks and streamline interactions, frontline employees report increased satisfaction and efficiency.

Richtech Robotics’ ADAM beverage robot exemplifies the rapid impact of agentic systems. Developed through collaboration with Microsoft, ADAM has evolved into a context-aware assistant capable of making personalized recommendations, notifying staff about issues, and managing quality during high-demand periods. Reports show enhanced customer feedback and smoother operations.

The benefits of agentic AI extend beyond beverages. Richtech’s Agentic Store initiative aims to further improve retail experiences by introducing robots that assist customers, detect inventory issues, and offer real-time support through voice interactions—all built on existing infrastructure.

As retailers embrace these intelligent systems, they enhance customer insights and operational clarity without the need for extensive hardware investments. The future will favor those who view AI not just as a tool but as a transformative foundation, paving the way to smarter retail experiences.