Microsoft or any software company highly recommends keeping software updated, but there are a limited set of situations where the device cannot accept feature updates for years. These devices are devices on the manufacturing floor which are not connected to the internet, are always manually updated, and more of a once set-and-forget kind of devices.
I can imagine a scenario where Microsoft Office has been set based on workflow. The machines cannot connect to the internet, and everything stays on the computer. The data is moved to a local disk, but then ist a manual process requiring authorization.
Keeping this in mind, Microsoft is rollout a preview of a new commercial channel Microsoft Office Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) which will be available in April. The company has also planned the same for Windows 10 under Windows 10 LTSC release, and they will be aligned. Chances are Microsoft LTSC, and Windows LTSC might go hand in hand.
Microsoft Office LTSC Features
- It can be deployed using the same tool that is used for the standard version of Microsoft Office.
- The fixed lifecycle policy will govern it.
- Five years support.
- It will include
- Accessibility improvements
- Dynamic Arrays and XLOOKUP in Excel
- Dark mode support across multiple apps and performance improvements across Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- It will be offered under a device-based “perpetual” license.
- It will be offered at an increased price of 10% compared to the regular version.
Apart from the core apps, information about on-premises Visio, Project, Exchange Server, Skype for Business Server, and SharePoint Server will be shared later.
Office 2021 release planned
Microsoft also shared that the company plans to release Office 2021 for personal and small business use later this year. It will be supported for five years with the traditional “one-time purchase” model.
We also plan to release Office 2021 for personal and small business use later this year. Office 2021 will also be supported for five years with the traditional “one-time purchase” model.
The last time we heard that Microsoft was planning to discontinue the standalone version, it looks like the demand is still there.
