14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has held all details about a program designed to offer customers free upgrades to the next iteration of the Office System as long as they buy an eligible Office 2007 copy starting the past week, and a few months after Office 2010 General Availability. However, a day ahead of going live with the offering, the Redmond company made public the finalized details for the Office 2010 Technology Guarantee, which bring nothing new over the information already leaked on the matter.
“Starting March 5th, consumers who purchase and activate Office 2007 will be able to download Office 2010 at no additional cost when it becomes available in June 2010,” revealed Jevon Fark, sr. marketing manager, Microsoft Office. The Redmond company has even set up a website designed to offer customers all the details they need when it comes down to the Microsoft Office 2010 Technology Guarantee.
“All you need to be eligible for this program – Office 2010 Technology Guarantee – is the following: purchase Office 2007, or a new PC with Office 2007, and activate it between March 5, 2010 and September 30, 2010. Have, or create a Windows Live ID. Redeem your Tech Guarantee before October 31, 2010,” Fark informed.
Microsoft has already confirmed that it will release Office 2010 to manufacturing in April 2010, along with SharePoint 2010, Visio 2010 and Project 2010. The company also notes that business customers will be able to access Office 2010 RTM bits on May 12, while the general public will get the release in mid-June 2010.
“The Office 2010 Technology Guarantee will be fulfilled online, via download, at no additional cost,” Fark promised. Users that have received free Windows 7 upgrades through the technology program for Windows Vista OEM computers know that they needed to spend as much as $30 to $40 for the upgrade media to be shipped to them. It appears that this will not be valid for Office 2010, and that customers will be permitted to simply download the free Office 2010 upgrades.
Amazon.com has already gone live with the Office 2010 Technology Guarantee Program and is allowing customers to buy Office 2007 today, promising that they will receive free Office 2010 upgrades in the second half of this year.
