No CDs for Update HELP Requested

[Dan Berg]

We have consultants that are on the road 48 weeks a year. All have laptops,
not all have CD drives in them and with limited disk space. After
installing Office 2003 Professional we deleted the windows setup files to
save space. Now when we are attempting to install the Office 2003 Critical
Updates it is asking for the original install media, which none of our
consultants carry with them. It is back in our office. We do not want to
have to ship this CD around to everyone, if takes too long, is too expensive
to ship, plus may be lost.

How can we get the updates to install without the media.

Thanks in advance.

Dan

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Dan,

MS Office expects to always have access to an installation source,
whether it is a CD image copied to the hard drive, the CD or
an Office Admin Point.

In Office 2003 the Local Install Source (LIS) feature was
added to give you a better chance of not needing the CD when
updated, but you indicated you deleted those files.

You can download the Admin (full package) updates rather than
the client updates and install those. Usually they can be
installed without the CD, assuming the version of the MSI
installer is current, but if MSI detects a condition it thinks
needs reloading or repairing it will ask for the CDs.

The MS Office 2003 resource kit has additional information
on deploying to support laptop users as well as the downloads
for full package updates. http://microsoft.com/office/ork/2003

FWIW, we basically provide all travelling users with a CD pack
for items not installed from a CD image stored on the laptop.
It's often cheaper than the support costs/headaches when not
having the CDs available and laptops 'go missing' too <g>.
=======
We have consultants that are on the road 48 weeks a year. All have laptops,
not all have CD drives in them and with limited disk space. After
installing Office 2003 Professional we deleted the windows setup files to
save space. Now when we are attempting to install the Office 2003 Critical
Updates it is asking for the original install media, which none of our
consultants carry with them. It is back in our office. We do not want to
have to ship this CD around to everyone, if takes too long, is too expensive
to ship, plus may be lost.

How can we get the updates to install without the media.

Thanks in advance.

Dan >>

--
I hope this helps you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 explained
http://microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.asp

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Dan,

MS Office expects to always have access to an installation source,
whether it is a CD image copied to the hard drive, the CD or
an Office Admin Point.

In Office 2003 the Local Install Source (LIS) feature was
added to give you a better chance of not needing the CD when
updated, but you indicated you deleted those files.

You can download the Admin (full package) updates rather than
the client updates and install those. Usually they can be
installed without the CD, assuming the version of the MSI
installer is current, but if MSI detects a condition it thinks
needs reloading or repairing it will ask for the CDs.

The MS Office 2003 resource kit has additional information
on deploying to support laptop users as well as the downloads
for full package updates. http://microsoft.com/office/ork/2003

FWIW, we basically provide all travelling users with a CD pack
for items not installed from a CD image stored on the laptop.
It's often cheaper than the support costs/headaches when not
having the CDs available and laptops 'go missing' too <g>.
=======
We have consultants that are on the road 48 weeks a year. All have laptops,
not all have CD drives in them and with limited disk space. After
installing Office 2003 Professional we deleted the windows setup files to
save space. Now when we are attempting to install the Office 2003 Critical
Updates it is asking for the original install media, which none of our
consultants carry with them. It is back in our office. We do not want to
have to ship this CD around to everyone, if takes too long, is too expensive
to ship, plus may be lost.

How can we get the updates to install without the media.

Thanks in advance.

Dan >>

--
I hope this helps you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 explained
http://microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.asp

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Dan,

MS Office expects to always have access to an installation source,
whether it is a CD image copied to the hard drive, the CD or
an Office Admin Point.

In Office 2003 the Local Install Source (LIS) feature was
added to give you a better chance of not needing the CD when
updated, but you indicated you deleted those files.

You can download the Admin (full package) updates rather than
the client updates and install those. Usually they can be
installed without the CD, assuming the version of the MSI
installer is current, but if MSI detects a condition it thinks
needs reloading or repairing it will ask for the CDs.

The MS Office 2003 resource kit has additional information
on deploying to support laptop users as well as the downloads
for full package updates. http://microsoft.com/office/ork/2003

FWIW, we basically provide all travelling users with a CD pack
for items not installed from a CD image stored on the laptop.
It's often cheaper than the support costs/headaches when not
having the CDs available and laptops 'go missing' too <g>.
=======
We have consultants that are on the road 48 weeks a year. All have laptops,
not all have CD drives in them and with limited disk space. After
installing Office 2003 Professional we deleted the windows setup files to
save space. Now when we are attempting to install the Office 2003 Critical
Updates it is asking for the original install media, which none of our
consultants carry with them. It is back in our office. We do not want to
have to ship this CD around to everyone, if takes too long, is too expensive
to ship, plus may be lost.

How can we get the updates to install without the media.

Thanks in advance.

Dan >>

--
I hope this helps you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 explained
http://microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.asp

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Dan,

MS Office expects to always have access to an installation source,
whether it is a CD image copied to the hard drive, the CD or
an Office Admin Point.

In Office 2003 the Local Install Source (LIS) feature was
added to give you a better chance of not needing the CD when
updated, but you indicated you deleted those files.

You can download the Admin (full package) updates rather than
the client updates and install those. Usually they can be
installed without the CD, assuming the version of the MSI
installer is current, but if MSI detects a condition it thinks
needs reloading or repairing it will ask for the CDs.

The MS Office 2003 resource kit has additional information
on deploying to support laptop users as well as the downloads
for full package updates. http://microsoft.com/office/ork/2003

FWIW, we basically provide all travelling users with a CD pack
for items not installed from a CD image stored on the laptop.
It's often cheaper than the support costs/headaches when not
having the CDs available and laptops 'go missing' too <g>.
=======
We have consultants that are on the road 48 weeks a year. All have laptops,
not all have CD drives in them and with limited disk space. After
installing Office 2003 Professional we deleted the windows setup files to
save space. Now when we are attempting to install the Office 2003 Critical
Updates it is asking for the original install media, which none of our
consultants carry with them. It is back in our office. We do not want to
have to ship this CD around to everyone, if takes too long, is too expensive
to ship, plus may be lost.

How can we get the updates to install without the media.

Thanks in advance.

Dan >>

--
I hope this helps you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 explained
http://microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.asp

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Dan,

MS Office expects to always have access to an installation source,
whether it is a CD image copied to the hard drive, the CD or
an Office Admin Point.

In Office 2003 the Local Install Source (LIS) feature was
added to give you a better chance of not needing the CD when
updated, but you indicated you deleted those files.

You can download the Admin (full package) updates rather than
the client updates and install those. Usually they can be
installed without the CD, assuming the version of the MSI
installer is current, but if MSI detects a condition it thinks
needs reloading or repairing it will ask for the CDs.

The MS Office 2003 resource kit has additional information
on deploying to support laptop users as well as the downloads
for full package updates. http://microsoft.com/office/ork/2003

FWIW, we basically provide all travelling users with a CD pack
for items not installed from a CD image stored on the laptop.
It's often cheaper than the support costs/headaches when not
having the CDs available and laptops 'go missing' too <g>.
=======
We have consultants that are on the road 48 weeks a year. All have laptops,
not all have CD drives in them and with limited disk space. After
installing Office 2003 Professional we deleted the windows setup files to
save space. Now when we are attempting to install the Office 2003 Critical
Updates it is asking for the original install media, which none of our
consultants carry with them. It is back in our office. We do not want to
have to ship this CD around to everyone, if takes too long, is too expensive
to ship, plus may be lost.

How can we get the updates to install without the media.

Thanks in advance.

Dan >>

--
I hope this helps you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 explained
http://microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.asp

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Dan,

MS Office expects to always have access to an installation source,
whether it is a CD image copied to the hard drive, the CD or
an Office Admin Point.

In Office 2003 the Local Install Source (LIS) feature was
added to give you a better chance of not needing the CD when
updated, but you indicated you deleted those files.

You can download the Admin (full package) updates rather than
the client updates and install those. Usually they can be
installed without the CD, assuming the version of the MSI
installer is current, but if MSI detects a condition it thinks
needs reloading or repairing it will ask for the CDs.

The MS Office 2003 resource kit has additional information
on deploying to support laptop users as well as the downloads
for full package updates. http://microsoft.com/office/ork/2003

FWIW, we basically provide all travelling users with a CD pack
for items not installed from a CD image stored on the laptop.
It's often cheaper than the support costs/headaches when not
having the CDs available and laptops 'go missing' too <g>.
=======
We have consultants that are on the road 48 weeks a year. All have laptops,
not all have CD drives in them and with limited disk space. After
installing Office 2003 Professional we deleted the windows setup files to
save space. Now when we are attempting to install the Office 2003 Critical
Updates it is asking for the original install media, which none of our
consultants carry with them. It is back in our office. We do not want to
have to ship this CD around to everyone, if takes too long, is too expensive
to ship, plus may be lost.

How can we get the updates to install without the media.

Thanks in advance.

Dan >>

--
I hope this helps you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 explained
http://microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.asp

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Dan,

MS Office expects to always have access to an installation source,
whether it is a CD image copied to the hard drive, the CD or
an Office Admin Point.

In Office 2003 the Local Install Source (LIS) feature was
added to give you a better chance of not needing the CD when
updated, but you indicated you deleted those files.

You can download the Admin (full package) updates rather than
the client updates and install those. Usually they can be
installed without the CD, assuming the version of the MSI
installer is current, but if MSI detects a condition it thinks
needs reloading or repairing it will ask for the CDs.

The MS Office 2003 resource kit has additional information
on deploying to support laptop users as well as the downloads
for full package updates. http://microsoft.com/office/ork/2003

FWIW, we basically provide all travelling users with a CD pack
for items not installed from a CD image stored on the laptop.
It's often cheaper than the support costs/headaches when not
having the CDs available and laptops 'go missing' too <g>.
=======
We have consultants that are on the road 48 weeks a year. All have laptops,
not all have CD drives in them and with limited disk space. After
installing Office 2003 Professional we deleted the windows setup files to
save space. Now when we are attempting to install the Office 2003 Critical
Updates it is asking for the original install media, which none of our
consultants carry with them. It is back in our office. We do not want to
have to ship this CD around to everyone, if takes too long, is too expensive
to ship, plus may be lost.

How can we get the updates to install without the media.

Thanks in advance.

Dan >>

--
I hope this helps you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 explained
http://microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.asp

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Dan,

MS Office expects to always have access to an installation source,
whether it is a CD image copied to the hard drive, the CD or
an Office Admin Point.

In Office 2003 the Local Install Source (LIS) feature was
added to give you a better chance of not needing the CD when
updated, but you indicated you deleted those files.

You can download the Admin (full package) updates rather than
the client updates and install those. Usually they can be
installed without the CD, assuming the version of the MSI
installer is current, but if MSI detects a condition it thinks
needs reloading or repairing it will ask for the CDs.

The MS Office 2003 resource kit has additional information
on deploying to support laptop users as well as the downloads
for full package updates. http://microsoft.com/office/ork/2003

FWIW, we basically provide all travelling users with a CD pack
for items not installed from a CD image stored on the laptop.
It's often cheaper than the support costs/headaches when not
having the CDs available and laptops 'go missing' too <g>.
=======
We have consultants that are on the road 48 weeks a year. All have laptops,
not all have CD drives in them and with limited disk space. After
installing Office 2003 Professional we deleted the windows setup files to
save space. Now when we are attempting to install the Office 2003 Critical
Updates it is asking for the original install media, which none of our
consultants carry with them. It is back in our office. We do not want to
have to ship this CD around to everyone, if takes too long, is too expensive
to ship, plus may be lost.

How can we get the updates to install without the media.

Thanks in advance.

Dan >>

--
I hope this helps you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 explained
http://microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.asp

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Dan,

MS Office expects to always have access to an installation source,
whether it is a CD image copied to the hard drive, the CD or
an Office Admin Point.

In Office 2003 the Local Install Source (LIS) feature was
added to give you a better chance of not needing the CD when
updated, but you indicated you deleted those files.

You can download the Admin (full package) updates rather than
the client updates and install those. Usually they can be
installed without the CD, assuming the version of the MSI
installer is current, but if MSI detects a condition it thinks
needs reloading or repairing it will ask for the CDs.

The MS Office 2003 resource kit has additional information
on deploying to support laptop users as well as the downloads
for full package updates. http://microsoft.com/office/ork/2003

FWIW, we basically provide all travelling users with a CD pack
for items not installed from a CD image stored on the laptop.
It's often cheaper than the support costs/headaches when not
having the CDs available and laptops 'go missing' too <g>.
=======
We have consultants that are on the road 48 weeks a year. All have laptops,
not all have CD drives in them and with limited disk space. After
installing Office 2003 Professional we deleted the windows setup files to
save space. Now when we are attempting to install the Office 2003 Critical
Updates it is asking for the original install media, which none of our
consultants carry with them. It is back in our office. We do not want to
have to ship this CD around to everyone, if takes too long, is too expensive
to ship, plus may be lost.

How can we get the updates to install without the media.

Thanks in advance.

Dan >>

--
I hope this helps you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 explained
http://microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.asp

 

[John Doe]

Time after time questions like these appear on this newsgroup and the advice
given by MVPs (Most Vulgar Professionals) is invariably misleading and
unlikely to solve the problem in the long run. The simplest solution is as
follows:

1) Determine how many departments are there in an organization;
2) Determine how many personnel are employed in each department;
3) As a rule of thumb, calculate the number of copy CDs required to
distribute by dividing the number of personnel by 5 { basially 1 CD for each
5 users}
4) Make/copy number of CDs required for distribution to each department;
5) Record the VLK number on each CD using permanent marker;
6) Send these CDs to each department for use by them;

From my experience every time I try to update Office (XP or 2003) the
original CD is always required. I have installed nearly 1000 copies for my
clients and now I find that the only way to minimise my own time/cost is to
distribute copy CDs with firm's own VLK inscribed on it. If Microsoft wants
to be difficult with its customers so be it. We too can be difficult even
if there is a risk of piracy by distributing copy CDs with VLK. At the end
of the day we too are running a business like Microsoft and we too have
targets to achieve. My solution is a long lasting one.

I have also heard that Office 2005 will not require activation because
Microsoft has just realised that it is losing more money by people not
buying its product due to total cost of ownership, incidentally this
includes support costs such as patching its crap product range. I consider
common sense has prevailed here!!

Hope this helps.

 

[John Doe]

Time after time questions like these appear on this newsgroup and the advice
given by MVPs (Most Vulgar Professionals) is invariably misleading and
unlikely to solve the problem in the long run. The simplest solution is as
follows:

1) Determine how many departments are there in an organization;
2) Determine how many personnel are employed in each department;
3) As a rule of thumb, calculate the number of copy CDs required to
distribute by dividing the number of personnel by 5 { basially 1 CD for each
5 users}
4) Make/copy number of CDs required for distribution to each department;
5) Record the VLK number on each CD using permanent marker;
6) Send these CDs to each department for use by them;

From my experience every time I try to update Office (XP or 2003) the
original CD is always required. I have installed nearly 1000 copies for my
clients and now I find that the only way to minimise my own time/cost is to
distribute copy CDs with firm's own VLK inscribed on it. If Microsoft wants
to be difficult with its customers so be it. We too can be difficult even
if there is a risk of piracy by distributing copy CDs with VLK. At the end
of the day we too are running a business like Microsoft and we too have
targets to achieve. My solution is a long lasting one.

I have also heard that Office 2005 will not require activation because
Microsoft has just realised that it is losing more money by people not
buying its product due to total cost of ownership, incidentally this
includes support costs such as patching its crap product range. I consider
common sense has prevailed here!!

Hope this helps.

 

[John Doe]

Time after time questions like these appear on this newsgroup and the advice
given by MVPs (Most Vulgar Professionals) is invariably misleading and
unlikely to solve the problem in the long run. The simplest solution is as
follows:

1) Determine how many departments are there in an organization;
2) Determine how many personnel are employed in each department;
3) As a rule of thumb, calculate the number of copy CDs required to
distribute by dividing the number of personnel by 5 { basially 1 CD for each
5 users}
4) Make/copy number of CDs required for distribution to each department;
5) Record the VLK number on each CD using permanent marker;
6) Send these CDs to each department for use by them;

From my experience every time I try to update Office (XP or 2003) the
original CD is always required. I have installed nearly 1000 copies for my
clients and now I find that the only way to minimise my own time/cost is to
distribute copy CDs with firm's own VLK inscribed on it. If Microsoft wants
to be difficult with its customers so be it. We too can be difficult even
if there is a risk of piracy by distributing copy CDs with VLK. At the end
of the day we too are running a business like Microsoft and we too have
targets to achieve. My solution is a long lasting one.

I have also heard that Office 2005 will not require activation because
Microsoft has just realised that it is losing more money by people not
buying its product due to total cost of ownership, incidentally this
includes support costs such as patching its crap product range. I consider
common sense has prevailed here!!

Hope this helps.

 

[John Doe]

Time after time questions like these appear on this newsgroup and the advice
given by MVPs (Most Vulgar Professionals) is invariably misleading and
unlikely to solve the problem in the long run. The simplest solution is as
follows:

1) Determine how many departments are there in an organization;
2) Determine how many personnel are employed in each department;
3) As a rule of thumb, calculate the number of copy CDs required to
distribute by dividing the number of personnel by 5 { basially 1 CD for each
5 users}
4) Make/copy number of CDs required for distribution to each department;
5) Record the VLK number on each CD using permanent marker;
6) Send these CDs to each department for use by them;

From my experience every time I try to update Office (XP or 2003) the
original CD is always required. I have installed nearly 1000 copies for my
clients and now I find that the only way to minimise my own time/cost is to
distribute copy CDs with firm's own VLK inscribed on it. If Microsoft wants
to be difficult with its customers so be it. We too can be difficult even
if there is a risk of piracy by distributing copy CDs with VLK. At the end
of the day we too are running a business like Microsoft and we too have
targets to achieve. My solution is a long lasting one.

I have also heard that Office 2005 will not require activation because
Microsoft has just realised that it is losing more money by people not
buying its product due to total cost of ownership, incidentally this
includes support costs such as patching its crap product range. I consider
common sense has prevailed here!!

Hope this helps.

 

[John Doe]

Time after time questions like these appear on this newsgroup and the advice
given by MVPs (Most Vulgar Professionals) is invariably misleading and
unlikely to solve the problem in the long run. The simplest solution is as
follows:

1) Determine how many departments are there in an organization;
2) Determine how many personnel are employed in each department;
3) As a rule of thumb, calculate the number of copy CDs required to
distribute by dividing the number of personnel by 5 { basially 1 CD for each
5 users}
4) Make/copy number of CDs required for distribution to each department;
5) Record the VLK number on each CD using permanent marker;
6) Send these CDs to each department for use by them;

From my experience every time I try to update Office (XP or 2003) the
original CD is always required. I have installed nearly 1000 copies for my
clients and now I find that the only way to minimise my own time/cost is to
distribute copy CDs with firm's own VLK inscribed on it. If Microsoft wants
to be difficult with its customers so be it. We too can be difficult even
if there is a risk of piracy by distributing copy CDs with VLK. At the end
of the day we too are running a business like Microsoft and we too have
targets to achieve. My solution is a long lasting one.

I have also heard that Office 2005 will not require activation because
Microsoft has just realised that it is losing more money by people not
buying its product due to total cost of ownership, incidentally this
includes support costs such as patching its crap product range. I consider
common sense has prevailed here!!

Hope this helps.

 

[John Doe]

Time after time questions like these appear on this newsgroup and the advice
given by MVPs (Most Vulgar Professionals) is invariably misleading and
unlikely to solve the problem in the long run. The simplest solution is as
follows:

1) Determine how many departments are there in an organization;
2) Determine how many personnel are employed in each department;
3) As a rule of thumb, calculate the number of copy CDs required to
distribute by dividing the number of personnel by 5 { basially 1 CD for each
5 users}
4) Make/copy number of CDs required for distribution to each department;
5) Record the VLK number on each CD using permanent marker;
6) Send these CDs to each department for use by them;

From my experience every time I try to update Office (XP or 2003) the
original CD is always required. I have installed nearly 1000 copies for my
clients and now I find that the only way to minimise my own time/cost is to
distribute copy CDs with firm's own VLK inscribed on it. If Microsoft wants
to be difficult with its customers so be it. We too can be difficult even
if there is a risk of piracy by distributing copy CDs with VLK. At the end
of the day we too are running a business like Microsoft and we too have
targets to achieve. My solution is a long lasting one.

I have also heard that Office 2005 will not require activation because
Microsoft has just realised that it is losing more money by people not
buying its product due to total cost of ownership, incidentally this
includes support costs such as patching its crap product range. I consider
common sense has prevailed here!!

Hope this helps.

 

[John Doe]

Time after time questions like these appear on this newsgroup and the advice
given by MVPs (Most Vulgar Professionals) is invariably misleading and
unlikely to solve the problem in the long run. The simplest solution is as
follows:

1) Determine how many departments are there in an organization;
2) Determine how many personnel are employed in each department;
3) As a rule of thumb, calculate the number of copy CDs required to
distribute by dividing the number of personnel by 5 { basially 1 CD for each
5 users}
4) Make/copy number of CDs required for distribution to each department;
5) Record the VLK number on each CD using permanent marker;
6) Send these CDs to each department for use by them;

From my experience every time I try to update Office (XP or 2003) the
original CD is always required. I have installed nearly 1000 copies for my
clients and now I find that the only way to minimise my own time/cost is to
distribute copy CDs with firm's own VLK inscribed on it. If Microsoft wants
to be difficult with its customers so be it. We too can be difficult even
if there is a risk of piracy by distributing copy CDs with VLK. At the end
of the day we too are running a business like Microsoft and we too have
targets to achieve. My solution is a long lasting one.

I have also heard that Office 2005 will not require activation because
Microsoft has just realised that it is losing more money by people not
buying its product due to total cost of ownership, incidentally this
includes support costs such as patching its crap product range. I consider
common sense has prevailed here!!

Hope this helps.

 

[John Doe]

Time after time questions like these appear on this newsgroup and the advice
given by MVPs (Most Vulgar Professionals) is invariably misleading and
unlikely to solve the problem in the long run. The simplest solution is as
follows:

1) Determine how many departments are there in an organization;
2) Determine how many personnel are employed in each department;
3) As a rule of thumb, calculate the number of copy CDs required to
distribute by dividing the number of personnel by 5 { basially 1 CD for each
5 users}
4) Make/copy number of CDs required for distribution to each department;
5) Record the VLK number on each CD using permanent marker;
6) Send these CDs to each department for use by them;

From my experience every time I try to update Office (XP or 2003) the
original CD is always required. I have installed nearly 1000 copies for my
clients and now I find that the only way to minimise my own time/cost is to
distribute copy CDs with firm's own VLK inscribed on it. If Microsoft wants
to be difficult with its customers so be it. We too can be difficult even
if there is a risk of piracy by distributing copy CDs with VLK. At the end
of the day we too are running a business like Microsoft and we too have
targets to achieve. My solution is a long lasting one.

I have also heard that Office 2005 will not require activation because
Microsoft has just realised that it is losing more money by people not
buying its product due to total cost of ownership, incidentally this
includes support costs such as patching its crap product range. I consider
common sense has prevailed here!!

Hope this helps.

 

[John Doe]

Time after time questions like these appear on this newsgroup and the advice
given by MVPs (Most Vulgar Professionals) is invariably misleading and
unlikely to solve the problem in the long run. The simplest solution is as
follows:

1) Determine how many departments are there in an organization;
2) Determine how many personnel are employed in each department;
3) As a rule of thumb, calculate the number of copy CDs required to
distribute by dividing the number of personnel by 5 { basially 1 CD for each
5 users}
4) Make/copy number of CDs required for distribution to each department;
5) Record the VLK number on each CD using permanent marker;
6) Send these CDs to each department for use by them;

From my experience every time I try to update Office (XP or 2003) the
original CD is always required. I have installed nearly 1000 copies for my
clients and now I find that the only way to minimise my own time/cost is to
distribute copy CDs with firm's own VLK inscribed on it. If Microsoft wants
to be difficult with its customers so be it. We too can be difficult even
if there is a risk of piracy by distributing copy CDs with VLK. At the end
of the day we too are running a business like Microsoft and we too have
targets to achieve. My solution is a long lasting one.

I have also heard that Office 2005 will not require activation because
Microsoft has just realised that it is losing more money by people not
buying its product due to total cost of ownership, incidentally this
includes support costs such as patching its crap product range. I consider
common sense has prevailed here!!

Hope this helps.