Smartsheet has announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to introduce a new connector that connects Smartsheet’s data with Amazon Q Business, an AI-powered assistant.
The integration allows users to access data from Smartsheet along with other platforms such as Salesforce, Slack and Microsoft Teams through the generative AI capabilities of Amazon Q Business. This system is designed to answer queries, generate content and provide summaries based on business data, facilitating more informed decision making and improved operational efficiency.
One of the primary goals of the new connector is to break down data silos, a known barrier in many companies that rely on multiple business applications. According to a 2024 Salesforce study, only 28% of such applications are typically interconnected. By aggregating Smartsheet data with other authorized data sources within Amazon Q Business, the connection improves data availability and usability for over 13 million Smartsheet users globally, including those within 85% of 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 unlock access to work management data for our joint customers so they can focus on driving business results without worrying about where their data lives.”
The strategic collaboration offers various practical applications. For example, service operations managers can use the connection to manage complex projects more efficiently by querying the AI assistant for detailed insights from Smartsheet and connected data sources. This functionality improves project oversight by performing deep searches of organizational data while adhering to privacy protocols.
Dilip Kumar, vice president of Amazon Q Business at AWS, said: “Generative AI is enabling companies of all kinds to revolutionize how work is done in their organizations, but the key is secure, intelligent access to their own data and content, no matter where it lives and what form it takes. It’s central to what Amazon Q Business can do for our customers, bridging the gap between structured and unstructured data in organizations. Many companies rely on Smartsheet as their core collaboration of data platform. By enabling Amazon Q Business customers to easily, securely have conversations with their Smartsheet data, it helps turbocharge their productivity, analytics and decision-making.”
The partnership was also recognized by Dion Hinchcliffe, Vice President of CIO Practice at The Futurum Group, who noted: “Generative AI is driving a significant shift in how business knowledge is stored, accessed and used. This transition offers the opportunity to redefine the boundaries of what is possible in data management and application The key to navigating this evolution lies in a strategic, informed approach to taking this powerful new technology into the search experience across companies’ knowledge bases, enabling them to unlock the true potential of their data.”
Smartsheet and AWS leverage AI to empower businesses to handle critical tasks efficiently. Earlier this year, Smartsheet implemented Amazon Q Business internally, improving knowledge management and productivity with the power of the cloud. This collaboration is the latest of many steps towards integrating advanced AI tools to transform how teams manage and do their work.
The new Smartsheet connector is currently available in public preview for Amazon Q Business customers, providing immediate access to its capabilities.