Yes, but the two sources should not be treated as equally reliable. A company can build an AI knowledge hub while some files remain on a network drive, but approved material used for employee answers should generally be moved, copied or published into a governed Microsoft 365 source. Copilot Studio does not simply search every traditional file server in the company.
Why Companies Still Depend on Network Drives
Network drives may contain years of policies, procedures, project records, templates and technical references. The problem appears when employees cannot tell which file is current, which folder contains the approved version or whether they have permission to use a document they found.
Do Not Migrate Everything Without Reviewing It
A lift-and-shift migration copies existing disorder into Microsoft 365. Before moving content, classify it as published knowledge, working material, restricted information or archive. Only selected approved material should become a production AI source.
Microsoft’s Migration Manager guidance explains how file-share content can be moved into SharePoint and OneDrive.
A Phased Migration Is More Practical
Organizations can begin with one department or business problem. An HVAC company might start with dispatch procedures, warranty guidance, pricing rules and technician escalation instructions while the remaining drive continues operating as before.
Permissions Must Be Redesigned
Network-drive permissions often evolved through nested groups and one-off exceptions. Microsoft’s SharePoint sharing and permissions guidance provides the destination model, but the business still has to decide which roles should see which information.
Where Maisy Fits
The AskMaisy architecture guide treats SharePoint as a governed knowledge layer rather than a dumping ground. The AskMaisy permissions article explains why existing access must be reviewed before AI retrieval is enabled.
The Practical Answer
A company can use SharePoint and a network drive during the same implementation. Do not begin by moving everything. Begin with recurring employee questions and the trusted sources needed to answer them.
