Office on a small network

[Dou Lowe]

I manage a small network (60 clients) and we're upgrading all our
workstations this year. In the past we've just purchased retail editions of
Office XP Professional, but even with just 60 clients maintaining that is a
pain in the rear.

So I thought I'd get a volume license this time around, but found out that
it's a lot more expensive (like 40% more) to buy the volume license. It
makes no sense to me that it is way cheaper to buy 60 retail copies than it
is to by 60 licenses.

So what's the best way to go for deploying Office on a small network like
this?

 

[Susan Ramlet]

Hi, Dou,

Have you looked at the Office Resource Kit for Office XP Pro to see what all
the deployment options are? There are so many factors involved that it's
hard to make a specific recommendation, but you might want to check in the
ORK to see what seems like the best, most cost-effective option for your
situation:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011364791033.aspx

One option is to copy the CD to a network server and run setup from there,
so that the source is always available to connected systems, and you don't
have to carry around the CD when you want to do installations and updates.
But you'll have to enter each product ID individually.

You could try the administrative installation point, but I'm not sure if it
will work with a retail CD. I think you will still have to enter retail
license codes individually for each installation you do on a client
workstation.

Keep in mind that laptops may be better off having their own local
installation source, such as a copy of the CD on the hard drive, if you have
the space. That way, when disconnected from the network, updates could
still be completed, or installations could be repaired.

I'm also surprised of the pricing issue; did you call 1-800-426-9400, and
ask to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist? (Last I knew,
they're open Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Pacific time.
Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites
to find contact information in their locations.) I've called them and have
had good luck speaking with a real person for free about licensing.

 

[Susan Ramlet]

Hi, Dou,

Have you looked at the Office Resource Kit for Office XP Pro to see what all
the deployment options are? There are so many factors involved that it's
hard to make a specific recommendation, but you might want to check in the
ORK to see what seems like the best, most cost-effective option for your
situation:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011364791033.aspx

One option is to copy the CD to a network server and run setup from there,
so that the source is always available to connected systems, and you don't
have to carry around the CD when you want to do installations and updates.
But you'll have to enter each product ID individually.

You could try the administrative installation point, but I'm not sure if it
will work with a retail CD. I think you will still have to enter retail
license codes individually for each installation you do on a client
workstation.

Keep in mind that laptops may be better off having their own local
installation source, such as a copy of the CD on the hard drive, if you have
the space. That way, when disconnected from the network, updates could
still be completed, or installations could be repaired.

I'm also surprised of the pricing issue; did you call 1-800-426-9400, and
ask to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist? (Last I knew,
they're open Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Pacific time.
Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites
to find contact information in their locations.) I've called them and have
had good luck speaking with a real person for free about licensing.

 

[Susan Ramlet]

Hi, Dou,

Have you looked at the Office Resource Kit for Office XP Pro to see what all
the deployment options are? There are so many factors involved that it's
hard to make a specific recommendation, but you might want to check in the
ORK to see what seems like the best, most cost-effective option for your
situation:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011364791033.aspx

One option is to copy the CD to a network server and run setup from there,
so that the source is always available to connected systems, and you don't
have to carry around the CD when you want to do installations and updates.
But you'll have to enter each product ID individually.

You could try the administrative installation point, but I'm not sure if it
will work with a retail CD. I think you will still have to enter retail
license codes individually for each installation you do on a client
workstation.

Keep in mind that laptops may be better off having their own local
installation source, such as a copy of the CD on the hard drive, if you have
the space. That way, when disconnected from the network, updates could
still be completed, or installations could be repaired.

I'm also surprised of the pricing issue; did you call 1-800-426-9400, and
ask to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist? (Last I knew,
they're open Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Pacific time.
Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites
to find contact information in their locations.) I've called them and have
had good luck speaking with a real person for free about licensing.

 

[Susan Ramlet]

Hi, Dou,

Have you looked at the Office Resource Kit for Office XP Pro to see what all
the deployment options are? There are so many factors involved that it's
hard to make a specific recommendation, but you might want to check in the
ORK to see what seems like the best, most cost-effective option for your
situation:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011364791033.aspx

One option is to copy the CD to a network server and run setup from there,
so that the source is always available to connected systems, and you don't
have to carry around the CD when you want to do installations and updates.
But you'll have to enter each product ID individually.

You could try the administrative installation point, but I'm not sure if it
will work with a retail CD. I think you will still have to enter retail
license codes individually for each installation you do on a client
workstation.

Keep in mind that laptops may be better off having their own local
installation source, such as a copy of the CD on the hard drive, if you have
the space. That way, when disconnected from the network, updates could
still be completed, or installations could be repaired.

I'm also surprised of the pricing issue; did you call 1-800-426-9400, and
ask to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist? (Last I knew,
they're open Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Pacific time.
Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites
to find contact information in their locations.) I've called them and have
had good luck speaking with a real person for free about licensing.

 

[Susan Ramlet]

Hi, Dou,

Have you looked at the Office Resource Kit for Office XP Pro to see what all
the deployment options are? There are so many factors involved that it's
hard to make a specific recommendation, but you might want to check in the
ORK to see what seems like the best, most cost-effective option for your
situation:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011364791033.aspx

One option is to copy the CD to a network server and run setup from there,
so that the source is always available to connected systems, and you don't
have to carry around the CD when you want to do installations and updates.
But you'll have to enter each product ID individually.

You could try the administrative installation point, but I'm not sure if it
will work with a retail CD. I think you will still have to enter retail
license codes individually for each installation you do on a client
workstation.

Keep in mind that laptops may be better off having their own local
installation source, such as a copy of the CD on the hard drive, if you have
the space. That way, when disconnected from the network, updates could
still be completed, or installations could be repaired.

I'm also surprised of the pricing issue; did you call 1-800-426-9400, and
ask to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist? (Last I knew,
they're open Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Pacific time.
Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites
to find contact information in their locations.) I've called them and have
had good luck speaking with a real person for free about licensing.

 

[Doug]

Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug

 

[Doug]

Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug

 

[Doug]

Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug

 

[Doug]

Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug

 

[Doug]

Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug

 

[Doug]

Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug

 

[Doug]

Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug

 

[Doug]

Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug

 

[Doug]

Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Doug,

If what Dell is quoting is an OEM edition of MS Office, those copies are (a) licensed to the machine they're sold with (i.e. they're
not transferable) and (b) direct support would be by Dell rather than by Microsoft.

=====
<<"Doug" <dougATloweNOSPAMwriterDOTcom> wrote in message Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug >>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

For Everyday MS Office tips to "use right away" -
http://microsoft.com/events/series/administrativetipsandtricks.mspx

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Doug,

If what Dell is quoting is an OEM edition of MS Office, those copies are (a) licensed to the machine they're sold with (i.e. they're
not transferable) and (b) direct support would be by Dell rather than by Microsoft.

=====
<<"Doug" <dougATloweNOSPAMwriterDOTcom> wrote in message Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug >>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

For Everyday MS Office tips to "use right away" -
http://microsoft.com/events/series/administrativetipsandtricks.mspx

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Doug,

If what Dell is quoting is an OEM edition of MS Office, those copies are (a) licensed to the machine they're sold with (i.e. they're
not transferable) and (b) direct support would be by Dell rather than by Microsoft.

=====
<<"Doug" <dougATloweNOSPAMwriterDOTcom> wrote in message Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug >>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

For Everyday MS Office tips to "use right away" -
http://microsoft.com/events/series/administrativetipsandtricks.mspx

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Doug,

If what Dell is quoting is an OEM edition of MS Office, those copies are (a) licensed to the machine they're sold with (i.e. they're
not transferable) and (b) direct support would be by Dell rather than by Microsoft.

=====
<<"Doug" <dougATloweNOSPAMwriterDOTcom> wrote in message Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug >>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

For Everyday MS Office tips to "use right away" -
http://microsoft.com/events/series/administrativetipsandtricks.mspx

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Doug,

If what Dell is quoting is an OEM edition of MS Office, those copies are (a) licensed to the machine they're sold with (i.e. they're
not transferable) and (b) direct support would be by Dell rather than by Microsoft.

=====
<<"Doug" <dougATloweNOSPAMwriterDOTcom> wrote in message Thanks for your suggestions, Susan. I should have mentioned that as part of
this upgrade we're migrating to Office 2003. According to the 2003 ORK at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011401931033.aspx, you must
have a volume license to run setup in administrative mode.

It also implies that you must have a volume license to install from a
compressed CD image on a network share, as the procedures at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011402031033.aspx say you the
user must accept the EULA and enter a valid volume license key to install
from a compressed CD image.

I'll call the number you gave me on Monday to ask Microsoft. I've spoken
with a reseller (softsource) who sells the volume license for $465 or
therabouts, but you can get it with a new machine from Dell for $329.

Thanks again,

--Doug >>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

For Everyday MS Office tips to "use right away" -
http://microsoft.com/events/series/administrativetipsandtricks.mspx