TLDR
- Microsoft launched Agent 365, a management tool that lets IT administrators track and control AI agents across their company’s systems, including those from Adobe, ServiceNow, and Workday.
- The software allows admins to approve new agents, monitor which ones are popular, measure time savings, spot security risks, and block problematic agents.
- Microsoft expects 1.3 billion AI agents to be automating office work by 2028 and created this tool after business leaders requested better ways to manage and measure ROI on these systems.
- Companies like EY have already started implementing Agent 365 to gain more control over their internal AI agent catalogs.
- The tool is currently available through Microsoft’s Frontier early access program, with pricing yet to be finalized.
Microsoft announced Agent 365 on Tuesday at its Ignite conference in San Francisco. The new software gives IT departments visibility and control over AI agents operating within their organizations.
The tool addresses a growing need as companies deploy more autonomous AI systems. Microsoft projects 1.3 billion AI agents will be automating office work by 2028.
Agent 365 works like an employee directory for AI. IT administrators can see every agent running in their systems, even those built on competing platforms.
Tracking and Controlling AI Agents
The software automatically detects agents from Adobe, ServiceNow, and Workday. It also picks up agents built with Microsoft’s own Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio.
Administrators get several key capabilities. They can approve new agents before deployment. They can see which agents employees use most frequently.
The system measures productivity gains. It calculates how many employee hours each agent saves per week.
Security features let admins identify risks and block problematic agents. End users can review what their agents have been doing.
“In the same way you provision an identity for a new employee or a contingent worker, you’ll provision identity and access controls for your agents,” said Judson Althoff, CEO of Microsoft’s commercial business.
Early Adoption and Market Response
EY is already testing the system. The accounting firm had built its own internal catalog of AI agents. Now it’s switching to Agent 365 for better control, according to Mark Luquire, a managing director at the company.
Other tech companies see similar needs. Okta announced plans in September for tools to discover agents and track their activity.
The launch comes as companies wrestle with AI agent deployment. Some organizations have successfully used these systems for code generation. Others have struggled with implementation, raising questions about the technology’s maturity.
Microsoft developed Agent 365 after business leaders requested better ways to handle AI agents. They wanted to measure return on investment and understand how different agents work together.
“Take supply chain. You might have an inventory agent. You might have an out-of-stock agent,” Althoff explained. “Without this kind of a tool, understanding how those things compose in an overall process is really, really hard.”
The software aims to bring the same access management principles used for human employees to AI systems. It provides tools ranging from productivity features to cybersecurity protections.
Companies enrolled in Microsoft’s Frontier early access program can request to try Agent 365. Ray Smith, vice president of autonomous agents at Microsoft, said the company has not set final pricing.
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