In a significant advancement for data integration and enterprise productivity, Smartsheet has teamed up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch a new connector that combines Smartsheet’s extensive data with the capabilities of Amazon Q Business, an AI-powered assistant. This partnership aims to revolutionize how organizations access and utilize their data across multiple platforms.
The integration allows users to seamlessly connect and analyze insights from Smartsheet alongside popular platforms such as Salesforce, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. The generative AI capabilities of Amazon Q Business serve to answer inquiries, generate content, and summarize information based on extensive enterprise data. Such features are essential for enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency, which many organizations strive for in today’s competitive landscape.
One of the key motivations behind this integration is to eliminate the prevalent silos that hinder data accessibility within organizations. A recent study conducted by Salesforce in 2024 revealed that only 28% of business applications are interconnected, which leads to inefficiencies. By linking Smartsheet’s data with other authorized sources through the Amazon Q Business assistant, this new connector promises to enhance the accessibility and utility for the more than 13 million Smartsheet users worldwide, including stakeholders from 85% of the 2024 Fortune 500 companies.
Ben Canning, Senior Vice President of Product Experiences at Smartsheet, emphasized the significance of this connector in their strategic vision. “The Smartsheet connector furthers our strategy to securely integrate Smartsheet with industry-leading enterprise AI tools so customers can seamlessly work across their business applications. By integrating our flexible data model with Amazon Q Business, we’re unlocking access to work management data for our mutual customers so they can focus on driving business outcomes without worrying about where their data lives.”
The implications of this strategic collaboration are substantial. Consider a scenario where service operations managers need to oversee complex projects. They can leverage the connector to request detailed insights from the AI assistant based on information aggregated from Smartsheet and connected data sources. This functionality not only enhances project oversight but also adheres to stringent privacy protocols, ensuring that data security is maintained.
Dilip Kumar, Vice President of Amazon Q Business at AWS, highlighted the transformative potential of generative AI for businesses. “Generative AI presents companies of all kinds with the opportunity to revolutionize how work gets done inside their organizations, but the key is securely, intelligently accessing their own data and content, no matter where it lives and what form it takes. That’s central to what Amazon Q Business can do for our customers, bridging the gap between structured and unstructured data within organizations.”
Industry expert Dion Hinchcliffe, Vice President of the CIO Practice at The Futurum Group, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Generative AI is driving a significant shift in how enterprise knowledge is stored, accessed, and utilized. This transition offers an opportunity to redefine the boundaries of what is possible in data management and utilization.” He added that the integration of work management data into Amazon Q Business helps create a more unified AI search experience across companies’ knowledge bases, facilitating better decision-making.
This partnership marks a continuation of Smartsheet’s efforts to harness advanced AI tools to enhance productivity and efficiency. Earlier this year, Smartsheet internally implemented Amazon Q Business, reaping the benefits of improved knowledge management and productivity. The new connector is currently available in public preview for Amazon Q Business customers, allowing immediate access to its capabilities.
By integrating these technologies, organizations stand to gain a powerful tool that not only enhances their operational capabilities but also boosts productivity and improves decision-making processes. As businesses continue to navigate complex digital landscapes, solutions like this connector represent vital steps toward a more integrated and efficient workflow.
With tools that facilitate deeper insights and smarter decision-making, Smartsheet and AWS are setting a new standard for how organizations interact with their data and apply it to meet their goals. The future of enterprise operations may well hinge on such innovative integrations.
