Can we install Microsoft Office on a Windows server for simultaneous multi-user access?

Is it possible to install Microsoft Office on a Windows server and using it simultaneously by several users connected by remote desktop connection?

This link states that it would not be legal because a single-user license would be used by multiple users. But is it technically possible, and can we register a license for every user to keep it legal?

What operating system would be the most appropriate for sharing access to files and software by RDP to 15 users simultaneously?

Thank you!

JulienVan

Posted 2014-06-17T14:40:37.737

Reputation: 143

Answers

Technically you can set up a Terminal Server (Win2k12: Remote Desktop Services) and install Office for all users. You would have to contact your Microsoft Reseller for licensing options (I have it seen being done legally, so it is possible). Keep in mind that you also need Client Access Licenses for the terminal server.

As for your second question, you could either use Windows 2008 or Windows 2012. It wouldn't matter much. Clients can be either Windows 7 or 8.

mtak

Posted 2014-06-17T14:40:37.737

Reputation: 11 805

Thank you, I'm happy to know that it would be technically possible. I'm going to contact my Microsoft Reseller for the licensing question. – JulienVan – 2014-06-17T14:51:22.510

Sorry I'd like to vote up the answer but I need 15 reputation points! – JulienVan – 2014-06-17T14:52:50.410

@JulienVan You can still mark it as an answer by clicking the green check outline below the vote buttons. – mtak – 2014-06-17T14:55:59.913

No, Office licenses cover desktops using office. If you remotely access Office you must have a license for each desktop doing so.

"Every device that uses Windows Server Remote Desktop Services to remotely access Microsoft Office requires a Remote Desktop Services CAL, in addition to Windows Server CAL and a Microsoft Office license. Dedicate a Microsoft Office license for every desktop on or from which you plan to use or access Microsoft Office, even if that use is only occasional. http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/briefs/remote-desktop-services.aspx

VBwhatnow

Posted 2014-06-17T14:40:37.737

Reputation: 1 766

Also, take a look at the new Azure RemoteApp - also by the Remote Dekstop Services team at Microsoft: https://www.remoteapp.windowsazure.com/ . This allows you to run your programs from cloud VMs (same technology as on premise, in theory you just save on maintenance costs). It's in Public Preview now (so it's free) and the cloud deployment comes with a Windows Server 2012R2 + Office image. So, until this hits GA (global availability), you can get it for free.

*side notes: there are limits on number of users that can connect (I believe 10 concurrent users), but this can be lifted by contacting Microsoft. Also, this allows you to possibly integrate with your existing AD deployment (if you have one) by using the hybrid mode. More docs here: http://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/services/remoteapp/

cdavid

Posted 2014-06-17T14:40:37.737

Reputation: 845

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm not familiar with this kind of cloud solution but it seems very interesting. One of our requirements is that users can share and access big files stored on the network. Having everyone connected remotely to a server is perfect for this. Do you think it is possible for the RemoteApp executed by users on their desktop to be installed on our server and to access network files as fast as if they were stored locally? – JulienVan – 2014-06-20T09:51:28.290

The hybrid deployment makes use of a VPN tunnel between your network and Azure. In this way, the AD information and local network resources (shares, printers etc.) are made available to the VMs in Azure. It's slower (since it goes over the internet), but you don't have to maintain the deployment. You can request access via Azure portal and give it a try when you will get accepted into the Preview program in a couple of days. disclaimer: I am actually working on this project. – cdavid – 2014-06-20T13:10:29.053

Thanks this seems very interesting! I think it would not be the best solution to fulfill our needs, as we already tried to work by accessing the server files through a VPN connection but it's too slow when we work with files of several Gb, so we would need to access everything directly from the server. – JulienVan – 2014-06-20T13:29:10.820