Smartsheet links data with Amazon Q Business through AI

Smartsheet has announced a collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to introduce a new connector that links Smartsheet's data with Amazon Q Business, an AI-powered assistant.

The integration allows users to access data from Smartsheet alongside other platforms like Salesforce, Slack, and Microsoft Teams through the generative AI capabilities of Amazon Q Business. This system is designed to answer inquiries, generate content, and provide summaries based on enterprise data, facilitating more informed decision-making and improved operational efficiency.

One of the primary aims of the new connector is to dissolve data silos, a noted barrier in many companies reliant on numerous business applications. According to a 2024 Salesforce study, only 28% of such applications are typically interconnected. By bringing together Smartsheet data with other authorised data sources within Amazon Q Business, the connector enhances data accessibility and utility for over 13 million Smartsheet users globally, including those within 85% of the 2024 Fortune 500 companies.

Ben Canning, Senior Vice President of Product Experiences at Smartsheet, commented, "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 strategic collaboration offers various practical applications. For instance, service operations managers can utilise the connector to manage complex projects more effectively by querying the AI assistant for detailed insights from Smartsheet and connected data sources. This functionality enhances project oversight by performing deep searches within organisational data while adhering to privacy protocols.

Dilip Kumar, Vice President of Amazon Q Business at AWS, stated, "Generative AI presents companies of all kinds with the opportunity to revolutionise how work gets done inside their organisations, 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 organisations. Many enterprises rely on Smartsheet as their central work collaboration hub, and they store billions of rows of data on the platform. Enabling Amazon Q Business customers to simply, securely have conversations with their Smartsheet data helps turbo charge their productivity, analysis, and decision-making."

The partnership was also recognised by Dion Hinchcliffe, Vice President of the CIO Practice at The Futurum Group, who remarked, "Generative AI is driving a significant shift in how enterprise knowledge is stored, accessed, and utilised. This transition offers an opportunity to redefine the boundaries of what is possible in data management and utilisation. The key to navigating this evolution lies in a strategic, informed approach to adopting this powerful new technology. By integrating work management data into Amazon Q Business, Smartsheet and AWS are creating a unified AI search experience across enterprises' knowledge base, enabling them to unlock the true potential of their data."

Smartsheet and AWS are leveraging AI to empower enterprises in handling critical tasks efficiently. Earlier in the year, Smartsheet implemented Amazon Q Business internally, enhancing knowledge management and productivity with the cloud's power. This collaboration is the latest of many steps towards integrating advanced AI tools to transform how teams manage and execute their work.

The new Smartsheet connector is currently available in public preview to Amazon Q Business customers, allowing immediate access to its capabilities.