Silent install of eval

[G67]

I deal with conference labs, and most vendors allow for a demo mode serial number which can also be used in conjunction with a silent install. So, when setting up a lab where we need 50 machines, for two days, and one instructor needs to demonstrate a technique that uses Excel as an intermediary, right now we are manually installing the Office demo on all the machines. And it takes longer to install Office than it does to cover that part of the class!
So, I am hoping there is a way to use a demo SN and the OCT to make a silent install. Thus far I haven't found a solution, and the suggestion to switch to Open Office is looking like it needs some real consideration.

Any advice greatly appreciated.


Thanks!

[macropod]

Why are you installing the demo on all machines, instead of installing on one and mirroring the rest from that? Furthermore, if it's just a demo, I'd be inclined to opt for the use of a projector connected to your presentation machine and display that so you can be sure everyone sees what you want them to see, not something they might mess up...

[G67]

Well, it's a lab, so the entire point is to have the software on all the machines so students can follow along.
As for imaging, I have found in 20 years of installing software that imaging is a crap shoot at the best of times, and silent installs are a much better option. Especially since that is exactly the problem silent installs where designed to solve, mass install of software. And in this case it isn't even the ideal circumstances where imaging might work, rather the hardware vendor could provide multiple different machine configurations in a given lab, at which point imaging is a big ol bag of pain.
No, the need to do silent installs is real, and the only alternative if that can't be made to work is to use different software. Since Office is not the focus of the classes we can get away with file format compatibility. Indeed, I suspect Adobe Acrobat is also not going to be installed, as there are other easier/better alternatives.
That said, I have been digging around, and it sounds like I can use a blank key to get a demo install. And there seems to be a tool to make click & run work, which is good since MS decided to abandon the perfectly functional MSI based installer for the most part. But, if anyone actually has experience with this I would love to hear of any issues or pitfalls.
Thanks!

[macropod]

See: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/...ffice.15).aspx