AI Consulting Services in Chicago, IL
EPC Group offers enterprise AI consulting services in Chicago, IL. We specialize in implementing Microsoft Copilot and developing AI governance frameworks.
Additionally, we deploy Azure AI solutions for organizations in the Chicagoland area.
With 29 years of Microsoft expertise, we specialize in compliance with:
Our clients include financial services firms, healthcare systems, manufacturing companies, and retail enterprises.
Key facts
- EPC Group serves Chicagoland organizations from our nearest regional office with on-site and remote delivery.
- 29 years of Microsoft consulting experience. 4 Microsoft Press bestselling books by our founder.
- HIPAA, SOC 2, and FedRAMP compliance expertise for regulated industries in Illinois.
- AI consulting services include Copilot deployment, AI governance, Azure OpenAI, and vCAIO retainers.
- Engagement timeline: Weeks 1–2 discovery, Weeks 3–6 sprint delivery, Weeks 7–12 production hardening.
- Optional managed services in three tiers: Essentials, Advanced, and Enterprise.
AI consulting services for Chicagoland organizations
Chicago enterprises face complex multi-regulatory environments — HIPAA, SOC 2, and FINRA — that require compliance-first AI governance.
EPC Group provides Microsoft AI consulting for businesses in the Chicagoland area. We focus on three key areas:
- Discovery phase to assess your current environment
- Recommendations for the best path forward
- Implementation of tailored AI solutions
Microsoft Copilot deployment
Before deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio widely, governance hardening is essential. We evaluate your Microsoft 365 environment and classify sensitive data. Our process includes:
- Configuring DLP policies
- Implementing security controls
- Rolling out Copilot effectively
- Copilot readiness assessment: data classification, oversharing audit, sensitivity labels.
- Copilot Studio custom agent development for business-specific workflows.
- ROI tracking and adoption measurement post-deployment.
- Ongoing Copilot governance through Microsoft Purview.
AI governance and risk management
Deploying AI without governance creates regulatory and reputational risk.
We build AI governance frameworks aligned to NIST AI RMF, ISO 42001, and
industry-specific regulations for IL organizations.
- AI system inventory and risk classification.
- BYOAI policy design and enforcement.
- Model risk management framework implementation.
- EU AI Act and HIPAA compliance for applicable organizations.
Azure OpenAI and custom AI solutions
We create custom AI applications using the Azure OpenAI Service, Azure AI Foundry, and Azure AI Search. Our use cases include:
- Document intelligence
- RAG-based knowledge bases
- AI-powered process automation
- RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) on your enterprise documents and SharePoint content.
- Azure OpenAI integration with Dynamics 365, SharePoint, and Teams.
- AI-powered document processing using Azure AI Document Intelligence.
- Compliance architecture for HIPAA-compliant or FedRAMP-aligned Azure AI deployments.
Why Chicagoland organizations choose EPC Group
- 29 years of Microsoft experience — Founded 1997. 11,000+ enterprise engagements completed.
- 4 Microsoft Press bestsellers — Our founder Errin O'Connor has written the definitive books on SharePoint, Power BI, and migrations.
- Compliance-first — HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, CMMC, and FERPA expertise built into every architecture.
- Remote and on-site delivery in IL — On-site visits for discovery, architecture reviews, and go-live support.
- Senior architects only — Every engagement is led by a principal-level architect. No rotating junior teams.
Our AI consulting engagement model
Every engagement follows a three-phase sprint model. Your team owns the
solution by the end — we do not create dependency.
- Weeks 1–2: Discovery — On-site or remote audit of your Microsoft environment, security posture, and AI readiness. We build a prioritized roadmap.
- Weeks 3–6: Sprint delivery — We implement the highest-value items first — Copilot governance, Power BI models, or SharePoint migration waves.
- Weeks 7–12: Production hardening — Security hardening, user training, and knowledge transfer. Your team runs the solution when we leave.
- Ongoing: Managed services — Optional Essentials, Advanced, or Enterprise tiers for 24/7 support and continuous optimization.
Other Microsoft services in Chicago, IL
Frequently asked questions
Does EPC Group serve Chicago, IL clients on-site?
Yes, EPC Group provides both remote and on-site consulting in Illinois. Our on-site services include:
- Discovery workshops
- Architecture reviews
- Production go-live support
Travel costs are included in our fixed-fee engagement pricing.
What AI consulting services does EPC Group provide in Chicago, IL?
Microsoft Copilot deployment, AI governance framework design, Azure OpenAI
custom solutions, AI readiness assessments, vCAIO retainers, and Microsoft 365
AI strategy. We serve Chicagoland organizations across all regulated industries.
How much does AI consulting cost in Chicago, IL?
Hourly rates vary from $150 to $500, depending on specialization. Fixed-fee AI readiness assessments start at $25,000. Full Copilot deployments range from $50,000 to $150,000.
AI governance implementations can vary from $100,000 to $300,000. This variation depends on the project's scope and compliance requirements.
Which industries does EPC Group serve in Chicagoland?
Industries such as healthcare (HIPAA), financial services (SOC 2, FINRA), government (FedRAMP, CMMC), education (FERPA), manufacturing, legal, and technology are all impacted by compliance.
In Illinois, compliance-first AI governance is a key differentiator for regulated industries.
What is a vCAIO and how does it work?
vCAIO stands for Virtual Chief AI Officer. This service provides fractional AI leadership from EPC Group. It covers key areas such as:
- Strategy
- Governance
- Copilot roadmap
This option allows you to access expert guidance without the cost of hiring a full-time C-suite executive.
vCAIO retainers cost between $5,000 and $50,000 per month. The price depends on the scope of services provided.
Schedule a consultation in Chicago, IL
Talk to a Microsoft AI architect about your project.
Call (888) 381-9725 or
request a 30-minute discovery call.
