TCO for Office 365 vs Retail
There are a number of options for Licensing Microsoft Office. We are going to outline the two most common ways available currently.
- Office 365
This is like “leasing” the software. You only pay for as many licenses as you require, and can Mix the licenses for different user levels. Also has the flexibility to increase or reduce license count as staff numbers change. There is no initial license cost. This option has built-in future proofing for later versions as they become available. Each user can install Office on a PC, laptop, tablet, and phone (up to 5 devices per user).
- Retail Purchase Office 2013
A straight out purchase from a retailer or reseller. A one-off initial cost that is significantly higher than leasing the software, but no on-going costs. However this option has no future proofing for later versions as they become available, and is only a single machine license.
Quick Comparison
| Features | Office 365 | Office Retail |
| desktop applications included | Yes | Yes |
| hosted email included | Yes | No |
| hosted Sharepoint included | Yes | No |
| Skype for Business included | Yes | No |
| Change license numbers easily | Yes | No |
| Install on multiple devices | Yes | No |
| Always latest version | Yes | No |
| Purchase price | 0.00 | 342.00 |
| Monthly fee | 15.30 | 0.00 |
| TCO 1 year | 183.60 | 342.00 |
| TCO 2 Years | 367.20 | 342.00 |
| TCO 3 Years * | 550.80 | 684.00 |
