I see the problem as too many people, both inside and outside IT, thinking in "monolithic" mode: we can only have one office suite, we can only have one email client, we can only have one web browser. Why limit users and spend money you don't need to spend?

Use OpenOffice for those users who only write letters and basic documents and use basic spreadsheets. File formats are no problem; set the OpenOffice default save as MS Office 97/2003 and go for it. Using Access as a front end for an SQL database? Buy MS Office licenses for those database users. Hundreds of hours invested in VBA for you spreadsheets? Office licenses for those modifying the spreadsheets, Excel viewer for everybody else.

Yes, yes, I know it's "easier to support" a single office suite. You don't have to learn anything new, you don't have to adjust your thinking, you can stay where you are. What a crock!