Microsoft has announced on Wednesday, a $60 web-based version of the company’s Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 software that will be exclusively available to college students. Microsoft dubbed their latest promotion as the “The Ultimate Steal” and will run until April 30, 2008. The promotion already started in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and will be available to France, Italy, and Spain starting September 20, 2007.
The cheapest Microsoft Office Suite is the Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 which costs $149 and only includes the standard MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote applications. The Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 Edition has a retail price of about $679 and includes software such as: Access 2007, Accounting Express 2007, Excel 2007, InfoPath 2007, Groove 2007, OneNote 2007, Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager, PowerPoint 2007, Publisher 2007, and Word 2007. With Microsoft’s promotion, students will be able to get a huge discount on the Office Ultimate 2007 edition but students have first to be eligible for the promo.
According to the Ultimate Steal Website, in order to be eligible, a student must first have a valid email address at a U.S. educational institution ending in .edu and be actively enrolled in that institution with at least .5 course load. In addition, students should also be able to provide Microsoft in a proof of enrollment status such as a student card. If the student fails to provide Microsoft with a proof of enrollment, they have to pay the full retail price of the Office Ultimate 2007. However once the student qualifies, they will be able to download the Office Ultimate 2007. Microsoft is only offering this as a web based download and if students want a physical DVD, they have to pay a small charge which was not disclosed in the Ultimate Steal website. According to Microsoft’s website, students outside the United States will have to pay 18 Euros, GBP 12.95 or C$ 22 for a one-year subscription license.
According to Microsoft’s press release, The Ultimate Steal promotion was initially launched in Australia where there was an overwhelmingly positive feedback from the students. According to a spokesperson for the Monash University, their students were pleased that they were able to acquire the newest version of the Microsoft Office at a low price.
Alan Yates, general manager of Microsoft’s Worldwide Education said that they have listened to students who have said they want more flexible ways to get the latest version of the Microsoft Office as they need the application for their studies. Yates added, “We’re committed to providing accessible and affordable technology to students so they can meet their academic goals. The Ultimate Steal is the latest in a long history of providing compelling academic offers for students.”
SOURCE:
Microsoft Press Release, The Ultimate Steal Offers Students Easy Access to Microsoft Office 2007.
The Ultimate Steal Website
Chloe Albanesius, Why Pirate? Microsoft Offers $60 Office to Students.
