Microsoft Bot Framework

Bot Framework is a development kit rather than a managed platform:

SDK and tools: Libraries for building bots in C# or JavaScript with Visual Studio tooling.

Channel connectivity: Deploy to Microsoft Teams, web chat, email, and other channels through Azure Bot Service.

Cognitive integration: Connect to Azure Cognitive Services for language understanding, speech, and other AI capabilities.

Teams integration: Deep integration with Microsoft Teams including adaptive cards, messaging extensions, and meeting features.

Copilot Studio: Low-code option for simpler bots that can extend to pro-code when needed.

Bot Framework suits organisations that:

Run on Microsoft 365 and want bots in Teams. You want internal experiences where your teams already collaborate.

Have .NET or JavaScript engineering capability. You want pro-code flexibility and maintainability.

Use Azure for infrastructure. You want hosting, identity, and operations aligned with your cloud environment.

Need enterprise controls. You need SSO, compliance-friendly logging, and governance patterns.

Want native-feeling Microsoft experiences. You want bots that fit the Teams interaction model rather than feeling bolted on.

The trade-off is more development work than fully managed platforms, balanced by flexibility and control.

We build Bot Framework solutions for:

Teams productivity: Bots that help employees find information, submit requests, and complete tasks without leaving Teams.

HR and IT support: Internal helpdesk bots handling common enquiries about policies, systems, and procedures.

Business process: Bots that guide users through forms, approvals, and structured workflows.

Customer engagement: External-facing bots deployed to web and other channels with Azure hosting.

Effective Bot Framework development involves:

Dialogue design: Structuring conversations with proper state management and flow control.

Adaptive Cards: Creating rich, interactive UI within chat that goes beyond plain text.

Integration: Connecting to Microsoft Graph, SharePoint, Dynamics, and other systems.

Authentication: Implementing single sign-on and appropriate identity handling.

Testing: Using Bot Framework Emulator and automated tests to verify behaviour.

For simpler requirements, Microsoft Power Virtual Agents (now Copilot Studio) offers a low-code alternative:

Visual conversation design. Build flows without writing code.

Quick deployment to Teams and web. A faster path for simple use cases.

Power Platform integration. Useful when you already use the Microsoft low-code stack.

Extension points. A path to custom development when you outgrow the basics.

We help you choose between Bot Framework SDK and Copilot Studio based on your needs.

Microsoft Teams bots can do more than chat:

Messaging extensions: Add bot actions to message compose and context menus.

Adaptive Cards: Rich interactive interfaces within the chat experience.

Meeting integration: Bots that participate in and enhance Teams meetings.

Tab applications: Combine bots with embedded web applications.

We design solutions that use Teams capabilities appropriately.

We help Microsoft-focused organisations with Bot Framework:

Solution design: Determining the right approach for your requirements.

Development: Building bots with proper architecture and engineering practices.

Integration: Connecting to Microsoft services and business applications.

Deployment: Setting up Azure Bot Service with appropriate security and monitoring.

Use these prompts to define the right approach for Teams and Microsoft-centric environments.

“Which internal workflows should live in Teams, and what should be handled via web apps or email?”

“What identity and permission model do we need: SSO, role-based access, and auditability?”

“What integrations matter most: Graph, SharePoint, Dynamics, or line-of-business systems?”