Software

If you are selling hardware you can use OEM MS Product without a problem.

About the only difference between OEM & Retail is that with Retail MS has to offer Technical Support where as with OEM the OEM seller has to provide the MS Support. This may be a deciding factor in your calculations as it depends on how well you know all MS products.

Provided you are supplying the COA & install CD with the computers MS will not care one iota as they are getting money and with OEM they don't have to offer any support so they actually prefer this option as they make even more money form the product.

Col

The rules may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but in Canada anyway, the rule is that the OEM software must be sold with a piece of hardware. So you would be fine.

As for not being able to deal with Tech Data, I don't know how it is today, but I used to work for one of their competitors almost twenty years ago, and after that I worked for a small company of three consultants. As a sales rep, I welcomed dealers of all sizes, including one person shops. As a buyer for a three man group, I found most of the companies treated me pretty well, including Tech Data.

You won't get the same kind of discounts or attentive service, but I did get my calls returned, and I could haggle on price.

thanks guys, you both have made life a bit easier as i sure can get oem soft ware cheaper.
just the way ms is going suite wise sure don't want problems

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