Agent flows are a powerful way to automate repetitive tasks and integrate your apps and services. But how do they differ from Power Automate flows?
Microsoft Copilot Studio recently got a nifty new feature – Agent Flows. It can be hard to keep up to date with the evolution of Copilot, Microsoft’s AI solution, so in this article we’ll dive into the key differences between these new Agent Flows and our old familiar friend, the Power Automate Cloud Flow.
Both of these solutions are ideal for managing processes which require the same level of precision every time, but there are some key differences…
What are Agent Flows?
Agent Flows are still very new and will likely evolve further, but currently, these flows combine structured automation with strategic AI logic, decisions and actions to produce predictable results and automate almost any task. For example, an Agent Flow can examine incoming information and direct it to the right team or AI Agent based on set rules or policies. Microsoft has designed Agent Flows to combine with AI Agents to automate complex and mission critical processes.
Agent Flows can operate independently or as skills within existing Copilot Agents. A Copilot Agent is basically an AI companion designed to perform set tasks under a specific business function. It can understand various business contexts using Artificial Intelligence, and this contextual awareness and ability to adapt to business needs is what makes Agent Flows stand out from Power Automate Cloud Flows.
Agent Flows can also be created using natural language instructions or a graphical user interface, making it easier to craft flows. They also provide AI-driven suggestions for triggers and actions.
What are Power Automate Cloud Flows?
Anyone familiar with automation tools will likely be familiar with Power Automate. We use it all the time here at Strategy 365 to automate business processes for our clients on a range of projects. Power Automate Cloud Flows are great for setting up scheduled automation actions, managing complex approvals, setting up manual triggers, and integrating with a range of external apps.
A Power Automate Cloud Flow is a rigid automation following a set linear process, where it runs through each stage. While it is possible to incorporate branching logic into a Cloud Flow, it cannot ‘think’ and take actions as a result of AI problem solving. While Agent Flows are better suited to working with Copilot Agents in Copilot Studio, Power Automate benefits from numerous connectors, making this a well-rounded automation solution for broader automation requirements.
Licences and billing
Agent Flows fall under Copilot Studio licences, whereas Power Automate Cloud Flows fall under Power Automate licences, which means with Power Automate you pay per flow or per user depending on what licence option you purchase.
Every action an Agent Flow executes consumes Copilot Studio capacity, so it’s a good idea to monitor their capacity usage. You can purchase pay-as-you-go and message packs for Copilot Studio. The pay-as-you-go model charges based on the number of messages used, while message packs provide a fixed number of messages for a monthly fee.
You can also convert a Power Automate Cloud Flow into an Agent Flow, allowing you to manage the flow in Copilot Studio and consume Copilot Studio capacity instead of Power Automate billing.
If you are already using Copilot Studio and have a licence with ample capacity, using Agent Flows can be more cost-effective. However, for broader automation and extensive integration options, Power Automate Cloud Flows might be more suitable, but the cost can add up if you require multiple flows or users.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a solution which focuses on building AI powered agents with advanced decision-making capabilities, Agent Flows under Copilot Studio is a great alternative to Power Automate. However, if you need a broader automation solution with extensive integration options and a wide range of connectors, Power Automate Cloud Flows would be more appropriate.
For more information about automating your business processes and boosting efficiency, contact a member of our team today.
