Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:SBUX) recently launched a Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) Outlook extension that makes it easier for coffee drinkers to send gift cards and even book a meeting at their nearest Starbucks location.
The extension was announced on Wednesday, and it is part of a strategy between Starbucks and Microsoft to derive more value through a collaboration of their services. Aside from sending coffee gift cards, the extension also allows users to set up or book meetings. The feature also launches the Starbucks app when the user wishes to order coffee.
Users have to download the extension in order to enjoy the benefits offered by the feature. They also have to connect to a Starbucks account once the add-in is installed. Users can also make use of a side bar to simplify the process of adding gift cards in emails in the future. Microsoft and Starbucks presented the extension during a Build developer event hosted by Microsoft to demonstrate how third parties can integrate their features with Office. The software and tech giant, in this case, allows developers to create more value by using Microsoft Office as a developer platform.
Starbucks announced that users who will send gift cards via outlook will qualify for their own card worth $5 for a limited time. The feature is currently available for Office Online users and Office 365 users. The extension is currently supported by the 2013 and 2016 versions of Outlook on Windows. Microsoft announced that it is working on introducing the feature for Outlook Mobile in the future as well as Outlook for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Mac computers.
Microsoft has not yet included a button to facilitate responses from users when they receive requests for meetings. Other developers might come up with solutions to solve the problem. Nevertheless, the feature charters a path for other features to be integrated into the Office platform.