It;s only been 6 months because Microsoft released Office 2007 at retail. But as of July 1, 2007,
Office Pro Plus 2007 Key, Microsoft won;t be creating the OEM version of Workplace 2003 to its Pc partners, a k a “OEMs.”Eric Ligman,
Windows 7 Ultimate, Senior Manager of Small Business Community Engagement with Microsoft,
Office 2007 Product Key, reminded OEMs and customers of the pending cut-off date in a blog posting dated June 18:“After June 30,
Microsoft Office 2007 Key, 2007 , OEM Microsoft Office 2003 will no longer be available from Microsoft. Some authorized OEM Microsoft distributors may have some remaining inventory left for a short time after June 30th; however, Microsoft will no longer be shipping OEM Microsoft Workplace to them.”Ligman reminded resellers that customers still withing to run Workplace 2003 can take advantage of the downgrade rights available to volume licensees of Workplace 2007. He blogged:Customers “can utilize Office 2003 today and then move to Workplace 2007 when they are ready without having to re-buy their Workplace license like they would with OEM. Remember that OEM Microsoft Office does not have downgrade rights.”With Workplace 2007, Microsoft has engaged in a concerted effort to encourage more Computer retailers and system builders to preload Office on new machines. In January, Microsoft launched a referral payment pilot Program for Workplace Ready, via which the company targeted system builders interested in pre-installing the Microsoft Workplace Ready image on PCs sold to resellers.Microsoft has told OEMs that they must stop selling Windows XP preloaded on machines as of January 29,
Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2007, 2008. Retailers also are required to stop selling XP on that date. System builders, however, are not required to stop selling XP bundled on systems until January 29, 2009.