14 DAY TRIAL // Romania, South Africa and Mexico are the testing grounds for the Microsoft Office 2003 Prepaid Subscription system. Via this Microsoft initiative, users will be able to rent Office 2003 rather than acquire the whole application. System builders will make available pre-paid user cards that will deliver a time limited usability of Office 2003 but will impact in no way the functionality of the product.
"The Microsoft Office 2003 Prepaid Subscription will enable you to have access to the most recent versions of the 2003 Microsoft Office System for a limited time and to renew your subscription. Throughout the prepaid subscription you will have complete access to all the functions of Office 2003," reads a fragment of the service's description posted on the Microsoft Office Romania Website.
Microsoft is also delivering online renewal options for the subscription. Initially, the prepaid subscription cards will offer a 25-character long product key, and users will be able to extend their Office 2003 rental period via the Internet.
Chris Capossela, a corporate vice president with Microsoft's Business division, revealed that the initiative debuted in April 2006 is designed to identify alternative revenue sources for the Office system. Currently, Microsoft is content with the way the subscription system performed in Romania and in South Africa, although the Mexico market has been less receptive.
The Microsoft Office 2003 Prepaid Subscription system is still in its testing stage and, following the evaluation of its success based on consumer feedback, Microsoft will consider the possibility to extend the system to the 2007 Office System.