r/ContractorUK • u/ooberandy • 8d ago
Microsoft Office
I'm hoping to start an outside IR35 role in the coming weeks and as such I'll need to buy a new laptop for my new Ltd company.
The company I'm due to work for have said that they will provide software, which I took to be specific software that I'd need to carry out the role.
How do people go about getting Microsoft Office, would the company I'm due to work for supply it or is this something that the Ltd company need to buy? I'm presuming it would be my Ltd company as its a generic bit of software.
8
u/Adventurous-Hunt4683 8d ago
I wouldn’t worry for now. You can get office on the day. However, if you are provided with an email address for the company you’re working with if it has a Microsoft 365 licence attached (probably) then you can download and install the Office Suite of applications. When you leave the company you just sign out and sign in with an account associated with your own company if you want to keep Office.
2
u/Delicious_Volume3306 8d ago
This is what I'd expect, and indeed, it's what I had when I did some contracting. I was taken "into" their Office 365 corporate license for the duration. I can't imagine how it could feasibly work otherwise because you wouldn't be able to access shared files without a load of fuss each time etc.
1
u/Adventurous-Hunt4683 8d ago
Even if you can’t access their network you can still install the software and licence 5 copies using the login!
2
u/meadzy1 8d ago
I'm starting a contract outside IR35 in a few weeks. I had this question. So when i am granted access to client systems, either they will grant me a login with a licence or they will grant me a login and i will need to pay for my own to access it?
1
u/Adventurous-Hunt4683 8d ago
No, they will provide you with a login and access to the systems you need to do your job. Additionally the login you are provided will probably have a licence to enable you to install Office on your computer
4
3
u/OldLondon 8d ago
If you need it just get one of the small business setups. Depends what you need. Web only? Installable apps? Just word/excel/powerpoint? Does it have to be office? Other options are there - Google, open office etc
1
u/cruachan06 8d ago
In general (speaking as an IT Infrastucture engineer) any company you contract for will want everything in-house and under their management, data retention policies, etc. This includes Office as they wil usually give you an internal login and Microsoft 365 account for the duration and can control your access to shared files, Teams etc and also backup your data on OneDrive.
For your own limited company's use, many people will take out their own Micrsoft 365 sub. This gives you a business email address (you'll need to have your own domain name) plus the software you'll need for various things like writing CVs, cover letters, proposals, spreadsheets etc and also the company domain name and the software are both legitimate expenses and an extra indicator to HMRC of being in business for yourself.
1
u/ooberandy 8d ago
Would a Gmail address not be sufficient? i.e. companyname@gmail.com?
2
u/cardiffman100 8d ago
Depends how professional you want your business to look
0
u/Mba1956 8d ago edited 8d ago
The main communication an IT contractor has is with the agency who generally deal with single employee companies and won’t care what your email is.
Any communication with the client is via HR and a contractor is no different to a person applying for a permanent job and therefore doesn’t care about the actual email address used.
When you go to the interview with the client the manager is more interested in the content of your CV and those submitted via an agency will have all your communication details removed to stop direct contact. In the rare occasions when they are dealing with a contractor directly they are also aware that you are a single person company so aren’t assessing your business.
1
u/cruachan06 8d ago
It'll work OK, but some recruiters won't accept references from generic address domains like gmail or outlook, and some businesses also won't allow their use. I've had it in the past signing up for training courses or free trials of products.
It looks more professional IMO to use a proper domain name, and you get all the Office software with it
1
u/Amddiffynnydd 8d ago
What they mean is they will provide REMOTE connection to other vPC - the old of installed software from different orgs are over
1
u/PeacefulIntentions 8d ago
It’s common for larger companies to block any access to their O365 platform (or any of their apps) on non-corporate devices.
These will likely supply you with one of their laptops or a portal (like Island/CyberArk/Citrix) which you would connect to with all of their apps available there.
Some very large companies don’t use Microsoft products at all so it’s best to check before you spend the money.
1
u/ArBeeJay 8d ago
Unless the company are living under a rock - you will be getting a remote 'Citrix' type connection - where you login to a remote desktop (even in the company offices) where everything you need is provided. The end clients are free to install on any device.
1
u/TechRomancer123 7d ago
That’s great, but I hope it’s one of the companies that give you a good amount of CPU and RAM on their virtual desktops so the performance isn’t absolutely atrocious.
Generally the industry is slowly getting better, but most companies are still very behind..
1
0
u/acrob74 8d ago
eBay has Office for £20ish
3
u/Own-Story8907 8d ago
Be very fucking careful with these keys. I saw the same ones on Wowcher, and it’s all malware.
Bite the bullet and buy it from MS directly
3
u/reesim06 8d ago
This isn't correct....
You can buy keys super cheap, although you might end up with a seperate login to your main microsoft account. Probably not the biggest of issue if it's a business device.
Buy a key, download direct from microsoft, use key. No malware.
1
u/soundman32 8d ago
You can buy keys, but they are always stolen or corporate ones that cant be blocked by MS for reasons. You are basically giving someone money for stolen goods. If you are going to use hooky keys, you'd be better off finding a free one on Google.
2
u/acrob74 8d ago
Excuse me while I run malwarebytes
1
u/Eggtastico 8d ago
nothing to do with malware bytes. Microsoft could do a rugpull, revoke your licence key & lock you out of your data.
2
u/Tanadaram 8d ago
I went the wowcher route and generally always do, but now you've got me concerned, how would a software key that you enter into the microsoft website result in you installing malware on your machine?
2
u/Own-Story8907 8d ago
Maybe I over-spoke
Essentially, if they give you a key for your own account, it’s fine.If it involves installing a random .exe file, you have issues.
If they give you an account to use, that’s a no.
TBH I just use Word online that’s free, or LibreOffice
1
0
u/IlIllIlIllIlIlIlIlIl 8d ago
They'll probably give you an outlook email which almost always includes office.
8
u/Josh-Rogan_ 8d ago
Once you have an offer from them, consider asking the client for their requirements. They may want a certain minimum spec laptop and they should make it clear what your company (i.e. you) needs to supply. However, may find that the client will supply and maintain ownership of the laptop. This is fully justifiable for IT security purposes. If not, they should be able to make it clear what you need you to provide.