Walgreens and Microsoft have announced a seven year strategic partnership. It aims to combine Microsoft’s technical expertise in cloud computing and AI technology with Walgreens’ extensive customer reach, location volume, and outpatient healthcare services. The two companies have committed to a research and development investment comprised of funding, subject matter experts, technology and tools, as well as possible joint innovation centers focused on key markets. Moreover, Walgreens will pilot 12 store-in-store “digital health centers” focused on selling healthcare-related hardware and devices. By leveraging each others core specialties, the partnership will “deliver new innovations, greater value and better health outcomes in healthcare systems across the world”.