How to handle people that don't understand office costs money?

[thecomputerguy]

I am currently involved in a job with roughly 10 computers where the previous technician installed all pirated copies of office 2007 on every single computer. That technician has since been replaced by myself.

Unless I am missing something office is going to cost them about $220 for a single retail license so they get a CD, which they will want, and roughly $170 a pop for 9 more OEM licenses to make their copies legit.

The owner is extremely dissatisfied with this due to the fact that since MS has implemented their genuine utility it makes them very aware at different points that they are using pirated software and that then cant update which is obviously has its security issues.

I do want to make money on the job selling the product so if I were to put a small profit margin on each copy of office it would still amount to a dollar amount that makes the owners eyes pop and makes them less apt to spend money on other parts and labor I would make ACTUAL money off of.

Am I missing an easier way to make their copies legit copies without telling the customer they are about to spend ~$2000 just in software to continue doing what they are doing?

I always get the "well we only spent $400 on the computer!?!?"

(Home and Business (outlook is needed))

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Suggest using Open Office and Thunderbird as free alternatives. You make money setting everything up and they get functional and legal software.

 

[ATS]

Yes that's what I would do, there is also IBM Lotus office suite software that is free as well.

Other than that I would say the only option would be get them to purchase the software.

 

[NETWizz]

Absolutely right. The only option is to purchase the software or remove it.

He will eventually want an office distribution point on a server somewhere; I think. Much easier than dealing with an Office Disc.

 

[Cybjun]

Office 2010 Home & Business PKC - just get 10 licenses (document all keys) $200-225 is what I charge (depending on the vendor I have to order it from) for ordering 10 i would most-likely do the $200 regardless.

I have clients all the time that buy the cheapest PC they can get from walmart or costco and then complain when it can barely do the job. I'm not a person thats going to coddle them through a sale. I have flat out as some of these clients "well if we replace all your computers today could you make any money tomorrow without this programs?" after the blank stare I ask what he wants the computer to do and give him the best quote to do that?

never mind the penalty microsoft would impose would put him out of business.
or that pain, learning curve, data migration headache, and support issues with switching over to open source applications.

and i have nothing I can say about lotus office because I dont even know how much it costs.

 

[Appleby]

I agree...it's pony up the $$ for MS Office like every other business or use an alternative like Open Office and Thunderbird as someone else mentioned. It's his choice and you charge for the labor of uninstalling the pirated versions of Office and installing Open Office and setting up Thunderbird. If he doesn't like that option because it's not has handy or they will have to learn new software....then they just have to pay to play like everyone else.

I've been in similar type situations (not across 10 computers) and it is very easy to start feeling sorry for the person and feeling sort of "guilty" for being the bearer or bad news. DO NOT feel this way. You are being paid to give him honest advice and it's not your fault the last tech broke the law. You are here to solve a problem that was not caused by you.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[PR Tech]

Does everyone need/use Outlook? If some utilize webmail, then you can get by with the less expensive version of MS Office for some. Just a thought to potentially reduce costs. I am with the previous posters. These folks use this software on a daily basis to help the company make money. However, I feel your pain and understand it is a difficult thing to explain to the owner. Be honest and give them several paths to take. I hate to say this but the old tech put this company in a fairly precarious predicament. They could have lost everything in a lawsuit if you had not discovered the pirated software. Send the prior tech (term used lightly here) a letter expressing disatisfaction with his/her actions. This will hopefully stop them from doing this to another company in the future.

 

[TopLevelComp]

Quite honestly, I wouldn't send a letter to the previous tech, I'd ask your current customer for the name and other contact information on the tech and send it to Microsoft. If he did it on 10 computers for one company, think how many times he's done it for other companies?

If customer has receipt for tech making money on those installations, such as charging them for the office, it's time this wanna-be tech get's whats coming.

 

[gikstar]

We also suggest OpenOffice to our clients who can't afford the MS Office Suite or who are using a pirated copy.

I hate to say this but the old tech put this company in a fairly precarious predicament. They could have lost everything in a lawsuit if you had not discovered the pirated software.

Well, from what I understand, Microsoft wouldn't bother with a small company with only 10 computers because there is just not enough money in instigating a lawsuit... it must be profitable.
As I remember, there is a website somewhere where you can 'rat out' a company, but nothing will happen if they decide there is no money to be made in the going after them. You need a company like Chevron to 'rat out', but I can tell you from personal experience, companies like that do it by the book!

 

[Ccomp5950]

Well, from what I understand, Microsoft wouldn't bother with a small company with only 10 computers because there is just not enough money in instigating a lawsuit... it must be profitable.

Not exactly true. Microsoft did an audit down here in Marshall Texas (now it might be because of our Federal Courthouse being the "rocket docket" for IP related laws and the location of choice for plaintiffs.)

Guy was selling windows at full price but only putting pirated on there, than WGA came about and someone ratted out their lawyers office. Microsoft came down through the town and had Boyd Butcher up in the Federal Courthouse and won quite easily. I'll name drop because it's no way of being slander since it's a documented case and he is no longer in business.

 

[Cybjun]

Not exactly true. Microsoft did an audit down here in Marshall Texas (now it might be because of our Federal Courthouse being the "rocket docket" for IP related laws and the location of choice for plaintiffs.)

Guy was selling windows at full price but only putting pirated on there, than WGA came about and someone ratted out their lawyers office. Microsoft came down through the town and had Boyd Butcher up in the Federal Courthouse and won quite easily. I'll name drop because it's no way of being slander since it's a documented case and he is no longer in business.

This is true we have had a local business (camera shop) with 3 pcs, loaded with pirated windows xp pro & office 2003 pro, the BSA came along and now that shop is gone, the former owner now works in a grocery store. It's not just microsoft out to get everyone. They have an evil step child called the Business Software Alliance and they dont care if your an end-user or the federal government

 

[Daifne]

Had a guy here that was building computers and loading pirated XP (at the time) and Office on them. He was selling them in some of the poorest areas of the city (shame). I had a customer of his call and, after determining the situation and fixing/making legal their computer, I turned the guy in with the customer's backing. The guy did try to turn it around and accuse me, but he's the one who's now out of business. ;-)

 

[iisjman07]

They don't really have much choice; buy it, or go down the open source route.

Here are some alternatives they could use:
*OpenOffice (Libre Office)
*Mozilla Thunderbird
*Google Docs
*Google Mail

The risks of getting caught outweigh the initial cost of the software

 

[NETWizz]

I don't steal software for myself or customers, so I have never had this type of problem. Still, it must be terrible if you are innocent to be pestered. I would just hire an attourney and not answer any questions... just me.

 

[mraikes]

Does everyone need/use Outlook? .....................

This is a good point. Most "Office" users really only need Word and Excel. They think they need Outlook - which pushes the price point WAY up, but there are usually alternatives like webmail or others already mentioned. If they need to view powerpoint presentations, a free viewer can solve that problem. Not many use Access, and even fewer use Onenote.

Even the "Office Starter" now included on new machines is enough for many, if not most people.

As far as the OP's original dilemma, perhaps his customer should file a claim against the previous tech to recover the cost of making the software legal.

 

[techroc]

I love OpenOffice and ThunderBird

Tell your clients that they can still handle documents, spreadsheets, slideshows etc etc associated with Microsoft Office files

Much thanks to the guys at Sun Microsystems (now Oracle) for developing free multi-platform software

I'm a mac guy and love OpenOffice, I recommend it to anyone that is looking for an alternative to Microsoft Office

 

[NETWizz]

1. Do NOT report the other tech to Microsoft because whatever you say is "hearsay." You cannot report someone else for a crime based on what you hear from a third-party. You could get in trobule for slander/libel if the other tech truns around and sues you for damaging his reputation... if you can't prove it. The other tech's defense will, of course, be that it was put on there by someone else; he didn't install office or do anything with it nor did he knwo it was not Genuine...


2. What to do is write the company a letter & inform them the software MUST be removed after which they can buy it or switch to free alternatives. Put a copy of it in with their work-order, so you have documentation it was pre-existing and you did not do install the software. Also make note of it on the work-order or invoice they sign... something that if it ever comes back at you i.e. someone points the finger at you, you can say "this was here before I touched any of these computers & I had you sign that in the work-order." What this does is protect you from liability. Sure they would have to prove you are the guilty culprit, but you don't want any chance of that pressure being put on you.

3. In the letter drop the information for reporting software piracy & inform them to first find the work-order from the previous technician indicating that he installed Office. You don't want the company reporting they have illegal software without pointing-the-finger at teh right tech & with documentation to prove it.

 

[TopLevelComp]

1. Do NOT report the other tech to Microsoft because whatever you say is "hearsay." You cannot report someone else for a crime based on what you hear from a third-party. You could get in trobule for slander/libel if the other tech truns around and sues you for damaging his reputation... if you can't prove it. The other tech's defense will, of course, be that it was put on there by someone else; he didn't install office or do anything with it nor did he knwo it was not Genuine...

How would it be "hearsay" if the company is having notifications about the software not being genuine? All the current tech has to do is prove it was a pre-existing problem.

All he has to do is provide details, look for the serial number and find online if it's one being use commonly. The other tech can say it was put on there all he wants, but if the customer has the receipt for it, doesn't matter what defense says, that receipt is what matters.

I'm sure Microsoft or whoever else will be some digging, find past customers and look at their software to see if it's genuine or not.

 

[NETWizz]

Yes, it is the recipt hat matters. All I am saying is that nobody can be convincted on hearsay...

 

[ATTech]

1. Do NOT report the other tech to Microsoft because whatever you say is "hearsay." You cannot report someone else for a crime based on what you hear from a third-party. You could get in trobule for slander/libel if the other tech truns around and sues you for damaging his reputation... if you can't prove it. The other tech's defense will, of course, be that it was put on there by someone else; he didn't install office or do anything with it nor did he knwo it was not Genuine...

The tech would have to prove that he didn't put it on there; saying he didn't isn't proof. He would also need to prove that adequate research wasn't done. Did you know this office is pirated? Yeah the last tech put it on. ...is adequate research.