Microsoft software has become the standard for computer users the world over. There will always be debate over whether the products Microsoft offer are actually the best, but it cannot be denied that at the present time, for many people, knowing how to use a computer basically equates to knowing how to use the Windows operating system or being familiar with software packages such as Microsoft Office.

The familiarity Microsoft has with so many uses means that they are able to charge a particularly high price for the software they offer, and whilst businesses may be able to afford this cost it is prohibitive for many home users.

These heavy price tags are, however, avoidable. Microsoft know that the key to their future profits is in ensuring that tomorrow’s business leaders still see their products as the industry standard. It is therefore vital to Microsoft, that the penniless students of today learn how to use computers with Microsoft products.

To do this, Microsoft are making student licences available on much of their software. The price of this software in many instances is subsidised by Microsoft as an investment in their future. This means completely genuine and legal versions of programmes like Windows and Microsoft Office are being sold for up to 90% less than the price you would normally pay.

To get these discounts you need to find an educational retailer licensed by Microsoft such as Phoenix software for students which has an online shop.  As long as you have access to an email address linked to an educational establishment you are then able to purchase the software with a student license, making many Microsoft products affordable.

It’s not just Microsoft that offer these licences, many other major software manufacturers are offering big discounts to student customers in an attempt to retain the industry standard amongst future generations of business leaders. This means that many extremely powerful pieces of software such as Quark and Adobe Creative Suite could now be realistic options for the home user; professional results at home are now affordable.