Help needed for MS Office business licence deals
Discussion
Can anyone give any advice on the best way to purchase MS office licence.
We currently have 10 PCs at work which we want to upgrade and are going to be buying another 5 brand new PCs (probably from Dell).
The existing PCs are running Windows 98 and MS Office 2000. The new PCs will probably come with Windows XP and MS Office 2003 small business.
Now we want all 15 PCs to be running MS Office XP and MS Office Pro 2003 (To include MS Access).
What is the best way to achieve this. Do we just get a blanket licence for all 15 PCs, or pay Dell to upgrade the 5 new and get a licence for the existing 10.
A quick search on the net has shown that it may be cheaper to buy 10 individual copies of Office 2003.
Nightmare!
>>> Edited by Big_M on Wednesday 9th March 13:42
We currently have 10 PCs at work which we want to upgrade and are going to be buying another 5 brand new PCs (probably from Dell).
The existing PCs are running Windows 98 and MS Office 2000. The new PCs will probably come with Windows XP and MS Office 2003 small business.
Now we want all 15 PCs to be running MS Office XP and MS Office Pro 2003 (To include MS Access).
What is the best way to achieve this. Do we just get a blanket licence for all 15 PCs, or pay Dell to upgrade the 5 new and get a licence for the existing 10.
A quick search on the net has shown that it may be cheaper to buy 10 individual copies of Office 2003.
Nightmare!
>>> Edited by Big_M on Wednesday 9th March 13:42
Big_M said:
Can anyone give any advise on the best way to purchase MS office licence.
We currently have 10 PCs at work which we want to upgrade and are going to be buying another 5 brand new PCs (probably from Dell).
The existing PCs are running Windows 98 and MS Office 2000. The new PCs will probably come with Windows XP and MS Office 2003 small business.
Now we want all 15 PCs to be running MS Office XP and MS Office Pro 2003 (To include MS Access).
What is the best way to achieve this. Do we just get a blanket licence for all 15 PCs, or pay Dell to upgrade the 5 new and get a licence for the existing 10.
A quick search on the net has shown that it may be cheaper to buy 10 individual copies of Office 2003.
Nightmare!
depending on what your business is you may want to check out their partner program; is free to join and you can get some good discounting on licences, etc.
I bought the direct access pack through the partner program, and its still only £199. It gives you everything you need and so much more. Not sure if you are able to buy multiple copies of the pack as that would help you imensely!!
The best thing to do however is speak to Dell. They can sell you OEM software at a fraction of the cost of standard Open License. Are you dealing with a business advisor?
The other thing to do is assess your needs, do you need to have powerpoint and access on all of the PCs or will Word, Excel and Outlook be sufficient?
The best thing to do however is speak to Dell. They can sell you OEM software at a fraction of the cost of standard Open License. Are you dealing with a business advisor?
The other thing to do is assess your needs, do you need to have powerpoint and access on all of the PCs or will Word, Excel and Outlook be sufficient?
atom290 said:
I bought the direct access pack through the partner program, and its still only £199. It gives you everything you need and so much more. Not sure if you are able to buy multiple copies of the pack as that would help you imensely!!
The best thing to do however is speak to Dell. They can sell you OEM software at a fraction of the cost of standard Open License. Are you dealing with a business advisor?
The other thing to do is assess your needs, do you need to have powerpoint and access on all of the PCs or will Word, Excel and Outlook be sufficient?
Big_M asked for Access, which is only ever included in Office Pro.
In my experience of licensing involving MS, it is a minefield.
The short and fall is:
1. If you buy boxed, you get the latest verion - it's more expensive, but you get the media. The biggest problem (maybe not for you though) is that you cannot upgrade to a paper license.
2. Buy paper licenses, and you can upgrade when the new versions come out by simply upgrading the paper license. Generally cheaper, but you'll have to buy media. Thought to be the best way at the mo.
3. Software Assurance, where you 'lease' the software, with an option to buy at the end of two years. You pay as well (as I understand it), a subscription to allow you to upgrade (FOC) to upgrade at any point.
My recommendation, and one you all might like, is this:
Buy OEM licenses of Pro for your existing machines and get a stick of memory for each machine as well. This keeps you in line with the licensing terms, and is the cheapest way by far. As far as I know though you won't be able to upgrade.
If you want anymore info, let me know.
Neil
>> Edited by neil_cardiff on Thursday 10th March 11:15
mcflurry said:
Microsoft sold me a legitimate, non pirate, non oem copy of Office Pro for £15+vat 
Apparently if you have a copy at work and buy a new pc you can get it for the cost of media + p&p
It is tied to an individual pc, so if you need a new
motherboard for example it will cease to work...
IIRC the (retail) MS Office license allows a single individual to run two copies just not simultaneously...
ErnestM
mcflurry said:
Microsoft sold me a legitimate, non pirate, non oem copy of Office Pro for £15+vat
Apparently if you have a copy at work and buy a new pc you can get it for the cost of media + p&p
This only if your company has joined up to Software Assurance...
One of the benefits I forgot about...
[quote]
It is tied to an individual pc, so if you need a new
motherboard for example it will cease to work... [/quote]
Not quite true, if you phone MS when renetering the key, they'll 9 times out of 10, give you the registration key to get Office going again - same as Windows XP.
>> Edited by neil_cardiff on Thursday 10th March 21:21
ErnestM said:I'd be surprised if the Retail Version did, but anything could happen in MS licensing land...
Microsoft sold me a legitimate, non pirate, non oem copy of Office Pro for £15+vat
Apparently if you have a copy at work and buy a new pc you can get it for the cost of media + p&p
It is tied to an individual pc, so if you need a new
motherboard for example it will cease to work...
IIRC the (retail) MS Office license allows a single individual to run two copies just not simultaneously...
ErnestM
From:
www.microsoft.com/office/eula
First paragraph or so of Office 2003 eula:
END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR MICROSOFT SOFTWARE
IMPORTANT—READ CAREFULLY: This End-User License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between
you (either an individual or a single entity) and Microsoft Corporation for the Microsoft software that accompanies this EULA, which includes associated media and Microsoft Internet-based services ("Software"). An amendment or addendum to this EULA may accompany the Software. YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS EULA BY INSTALLING, COPYING, OR USING THE SOFTWARE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, DO NOT
INSTALL, COPY, OR USE THE SOFTWARE; YOU MAY RETURN IT TO YOUR PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND, IF APPLICABLE.
1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Microsoft grants you the following rights provided that you comply with all terms and conditions of this EULA:
1.1 Installation and use. You may:
(a) install and use a copy of the Software on one personal computer or other device; and
(b) install an additional copy of the Software on a second, portable device for the exclusive use of the primary user of the first copy of the Software.
ErnestM
PS: sorry for the bad formatting, I lifted it from the EULA PDF from above (yes - I found it ironic that the EULAs where in pdf and not doc as well)
www.microsoft.com/office/eula
First paragraph or so of Office 2003 eula:
END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR MICROSOFT SOFTWARE
IMPORTANT—READ CAREFULLY: This End-User License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between
you (either an individual or a single entity) and Microsoft Corporation for the Microsoft software that accompanies this EULA, which includes associated media and Microsoft Internet-based services ("Software"). An amendment or addendum to this EULA may accompany the Software. YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS EULA BY INSTALLING, COPYING, OR USING THE SOFTWARE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, DO NOT
INSTALL, COPY, OR USE THE SOFTWARE; YOU MAY RETURN IT TO YOUR PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND, IF APPLICABLE.
1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Microsoft grants you the following rights provided that you comply with all terms and conditions of this EULA:
1.1 Installation and use. You may:
(a) install and use a copy of the Software on one personal computer or other device; and
(b) install an additional copy of the Software on a second, portable device for the exclusive use of the primary user of the first copy of the Software.
ErnestM
PS: sorry for the bad formatting, I lifted it from the EULA PDF from above (yes - I found it ironic that the EULAs where in pdf and not doc as well)
mcflurry said:
Sad to think we know the ins and outs of MS EULA's really...
...and sad that people don't publicise this type of deal more openly, in order that more people can get MS office for £15-20, rather than paying hundreds of squid...
Not really sad, just merely the complete lack of understanding on the most part. Microsoft have made it as difficult as possible to understand the licensing, indeed any manager in charge of choosing an avenue of licensing needs to be almost qualified as a legal eagle...!!!
I'm happy to impart my knowledge if it'll save somebody a bob or two - just people usually galze over when I start talking licensing...
Hi Guys
I am the Microsoft Licensing Manager for the UK and Ireland!
There are some things in the post i would like to clarify
The Partner Program pack - MAPs - is only for Partners & Value added consultants and can only be used for testing and demonstration purposes, NOT in a live environment, those licenses will not cover everyday company usage, you need full licenses.
Software Assurance is not a rental program, it is a maintenance program, you pay approx 40% over a 2/3yr term depending on the license program selected, this entitles you to ANY new version during this time period, plus all the other benefits of SA, www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/sa/default.mspx
All of the Application family have portable use rights, Visio/Office/Access etc, they can be installed on a portable device for the sole usage of the primary owner of the first copy of the software product.
Portable use rights does not extent to home PCs or home use, one of the SA benefits permits the company copy of Office covered with SA to be used on a customers home PC!
You can only purchase an OEM copy of Office with a new PC, no other method is permitted, there was a time when you could purchase Windows Pro upgrade licenses with a non-perpherial piece of hardware, this is now no longer possible either!
If anyone has any licensing issues posted on this forum that they would like me to be involved in, please feel free to mail me.
Kind Regards
I am the Microsoft Licensing Manager for the UK and Ireland!
There are some things in the post i would like to clarify
The Partner Program pack - MAPs - is only for Partners & Value added consultants and can only be used for testing and demonstration purposes, NOT in a live environment, those licenses will not cover everyday company usage, you need full licenses.
Software Assurance is not a rental program, it is a maintenance program, you pay approx 40% over a 2/3yr term depending on the license program selected, this entitles you to ANY new version during this time period, plus all the other benefits of SA, www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/sa/default.mspx
All of the Application family have portable use rights, Visio/Office/Access etc, they can be installed on a portable device for the sole usage of the primary owner of the first copy of the software product.
Portable use rights does not extent to home PCs or home use, one of the SA benefits permits the company copy of Office covered with SA to be used on a customers home PC!
You can only purchase an OEM copy of Office with a new PC, no other method is permitted, there was a time when you could purchase Windows Pro upgrade licenses with a non-perpherial piece of hardware, this is now no longer possible either!
If anyone has any licensing issues posted on this forum that they would like me to be involved in, please feel free to mail me.
Kind Regards
Mystery_one1 said:
Hi Guys
I am the Microsoft Licensing Manager for the UK and Ireland!
There are some things in the post i would like to clarify
The Partner Program pack - MAPs - is only for Partners & Value added consultants and can only be used for testing and demonstration purposes, NOT in a live environment, those licenses will not cover everyday company usage, you need full licenses.
Software Assurance is not a rental program, it is a maintenance program, you pay approx 40% over a 2/3yr term depending on the license program selected, this entitles you to ANY new version during this time period, plus all the other benefits of SA, www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/sa/default.mspx
All of the Application family have portable use rights, Visio/Office/Access etc, they can be installed on a portable device for the sole usage of the primary owner of the first copy of the software product.
Portable use rights does not extent to home PCs or home use, one of the SA benefits permits the company copy of Office covered with SA to be used on a customers home PC!
You can only purchase an OEM copy of Office with a new PC, no other method is permitted, there was a time when you could purchase Windows Pro upgrade licenses with a non-perpherial piece of hardware, this is now no longer possible either!
If anyone has any licensing issues posted on this forum that they would like me to be involved in, please feel free to mail me.
Kind Regards
Just one question, when will Microsoft start offering Open Licenses direct. I say this because, basically, retail channel partners don't understand the process (IMHO)...
...Oh, and why can't we simply purchase another license to WIN2003 server online like we can with XP? During my recent network upgrade I had to buy two complete copies of WIN2003 server (I only needed three total, so open license had no real benefit) including retail box and media. I would have much rather gone online to MS and just purchased an install key...
ErnestM
Hi Ernest
To qualify for Open you need to intially purchase 5 Licenses, any 5 licenses, so if you needed 3 Win2k3 servers = 3 Licenses, you can then purchase any 2 Cals, the cheapest come in around 4pounds each, or you could purchase 2 Win2k3 Cals although they are slightly more expensive, this would make 5 licenses, making you eligible for Open licensing and pricing, and all the benefits associated with this, online purchasing via your chosen reseller, re-imaging, no activation, VL media and Keys, ability to add in miniumn quantites of 1 license at any time during the agreement period and recieve the same price band.
I am sorry that a reseller did not recommend this to you ;o(
>> Edited by Mystery_one1 on Wednesday 30th March 13:53
To qualify for Open you need to intially purchase 5 Licenses, any 5 licenses, so if you needed 3 Win2k3 servers = 3 Licenses, you can then purchase any 2 Cals, the cheapest come in around 4pounds each, or you could purchase 2 Win2k3 Cals although they are slightly more expensive, this would make 5 licenses, making you eligible for Open licensing and pricing, and all the benefits associated with this, online purchasing via your chosen reseller, re-imaging, no activation, VL media and Keys, ability to add in miniumn quantites of 1 license at any time during the agreement period and recieve the same price band.
I am sorry that a reseller did not recommend this to you ;o(
>> Edited by Mystery_one1 on Wednesday 30th March 13:53
Mystery_one1 said:
I am sorry that a reseller did not recommend this to you ;o(
That's the problem though. The resellers DON'T know what they are doing because its sold to them in a very complicated way.
We sell open licences to our customers through a reseller and I have to do all the working out because they don't know what they are doing.
Feel free to email me for more specifics...
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