Volume licensing is the way to go as others have already replied. You're
On 4/21/11 9:38 AM, "Larry" <larrycutrell at gmail.com> wrote:
not going to be able to simply install all your retail licenses on one
machine and extract them for deployment because Office 2011 requires
activation, which can only be done on the destination machines.
I posted this a few months ago on a different list.
The biggest con to volume licensing is certainly the price.
The pros are:
- Single key - one package to push to everyone.
- No activation. (Activation for retail products was added in Office
2011.)
- The ability to install now and pay later when you've got that last
minute new hire request.
- Depending on your Microsoft agreement, the privilege to downgrade to an
older version of Office.
- Depending on your Microsoft agreement, a technical account manager who
can escalate issues.
- Depending on your Microsoft agreement, the privilege to true-up once
per year or on a regular basis.
- Access to updated media.
- The ability to subscribe to some products rather than license them.
These are some advantages I know off the top of my head and not everyone's
volume license agreement will cover everything I mentioned. Items #4 and
#5, I believe, require volume licensing before you can get those extra
levels of support.
Before making any decisions for or against volume licensing, start here:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default.aspx and definitely speak with
someone who handles volume licensing at Microsoft or on behalf of
Microsoft. Third party websites such as http://www.insight.com can handle
many volume license issues.
--
William Smith
Technical Analyst
Merrill Communications LLC
(651) 632-1492
