Starbucks gives the lowdown on Microsoft partnership

Starbucks took the stage at Microsoft’s Build conference in Seattle yesterday to discuss how it’s working with Microsoft to create exceptional experiences – in the cloud and in-store – and enable employees to spend more time connecting with customers.

The retailer said that its emphasis on becoming a tech company is not about deploying technology for technology’s sake, or to replace interacting with the customer. For example, with the help of Microsoft, Starbucks is introducing the Production Controller, a tool for food and beverage sequencing for mobile orders as well as in-store. 

With Mobile Order & Pay orders on the rise, another tool Starbucks is deploying in its busiest stores is Digital Order Manager; baristas are using it to indicate that a drink is ready, with customers getting notifications on their phones. Further info here.

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