Microsoft and Dropbox have inked a deal that will see the duo implement support for each other’s services thereby allowing users to do a lot more using their phones, tablets and the web.
As part of the deal Microsoft Office users will be able to manage and share files on Dropbox right from their Office app. Further, users of both services will be able to save their files directly from Office into Dropbox, and edit Office documents directly from within the Dropbox app.
Microsoft said the integration of the services is a move to improve services for its 1.2 billion Office users who use Dropbox to host over 35 billion Office files. The new features would be included in the next updates to iOS and Android versions of Office and Dropbox, to be rolled out in the next few weeks.
“We know that much of the world relies on a combination of Dropbox and Microsoft Office to get work done,” Dropbox noted on its official blog.
“In fact, Dropbox is home to over 35 billion Office documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. That’s why we’re partnering with Microsoft to help you do more on your phones, tablets, and the web.
“Soon you’ll be able to access your Dropbox directly from Office apps, and edit Office files from the Dropbox app.”
Announcing the deal, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said “Together, Microsoft and Dropbox will provide our shared customers with flexible tools that put them at the centre of the way they live and work today.”
The deal with Dropbox comes as a surprise as Microsoft already has its own cloud storage product OneDrive. However, the deal indicates that the Redmond isn’t scared to collaborate with competing platforms if it results in its users getting better service.
Microsoft recently lifted 1TB storage cap from OneDrive and has started offering unlimited storage to its users.
