What's the best way for a primary school to get Microsoft Office

[TwistedHelixis]

All of my primary schools are on Office 2013, but store all their files in G Suite. We actually started using G Suite before 365 or one drive was even a thing but some of the staff have never made the jump to G Docs and still use Word & Excel, including the heads and office staff.

 

So what is the best / cheapest way for me to purchase Office?

 

Could I setup Microsoft 365 at each primary and then get Office for free?

 

BTW I don't really want to talk about getting the staff all using G Docs or all using Office, I'm well aware of the fact they should really be using one or the other, but apart from holding a pitch fork over them and forcing them, this is currently not an option. I am stuck with mixed setups at the moment.

 

As always, thanks for your advice & help in advance.

Edited October 7, 2020 by TwistedHelixis

[chazzy2501]

I think you can sign a school up for Office365 for free students and educators BUT if you want office on the desktop (not the web versions) then you'll have to buy some licences.

 

EDIT: Hell of a thing to get all the users using only cloud stuff and get it all for free.

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/academic/compare-office-365-education-plans?activetab=tab:primaryr1

 

Using a linux desktops and free o365 no annual licensing. Nice.

Edited October 7, 2020 by chazzy2501

[paulkerton]

Could I setup Microsoft 365 at each primary and then get Office for free?

Nope. Not the desktop version.

BTW I don't really want to talk about getting the staff all using G Docs or all using Office, I'm well aware of the fact they should really be using one or the other, but apart from holding a pitch fork over them and forcing them, this is currently not an option. I am stuck with mixed setups at the moment.

Avoiding this talk is going to leave it messy forever. Sometimes you have to force a situation.

 

Commit to one, or the other.

[Ditto]

As stated above, go with the web version. It's more than likely more than sufficient, but avoid paying for desktop versions - the money is better spent elsewhere.

[Koldov]

What is the current state of your MS license provision?

 

Is the school on an OVS (or whatever it's called these days) type?

 

We buy the 'DSKTPEDU ALNG LICSAPK OLV F 1Y ENT' which I believe covers us for Windows, Office and the Core Cal Suite based on our FTE.

[TwistedHelixis]

avoiding this talk is going to leave it messy forever.

 

Its not been avoided by me, just ignored from above. I'm not a member of staff I work for myself, I can explain the best ways of doing things over and over, but at the end of the day these are not my schools.

 

As stated above, go with the web version.

Does that work with SIMS.

Also if I go for the web version will all the primary school pupils need their own logins?

 

What is the current state of your MS license provision?

We don't have any MS licencing agreements. For our Windows 10 licensing we get the educational primary school OEM type of license with the laptops when we purchase them, so the license stay with that device. We only need a server every 5 - 7 years, so just buy that separately, and generally only update office every 7 years, so just get separate licenses for that.

I have sat down and worked out the differences between that and one of the MS all in one type license and doing it the way I have works out way way cheaper for the primary school over all those years.

Edited October 7, 2020 by TwistedHelixis

[ridleyrumpus]

Google can now read and write office format files.

 

Having used MS 365 and Google WorkSpace I would stick with Google everytime, far easier to use and administer.

 

You will never see the benefit of the Google Suite if you do not embrace using the native apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides etc) it is only when you are using those and sharing etc can you realise the power of the system.

[dhicks]

All of my primary schools are on Office 2013, but store all their files in G Suite.

 

If you've already got Office installed on machines, just install the Google File Streaming client on them and people can access their Google Drive files as they would any other local / network file. As pointed out earlier in this thread, GSuite will now directly edit Word / Excel files, so people can edit files on their desktop machine then carry on editing on GSuite.