I understand the Office conundrum ..but there are the free alternatives in linux which I think function better. But I do understand changing tracks (learning something new due to no having little or no choice) is never fun...let alone trying to get other people on board.
As far as Outlook goes...In one of my distros I have firefox running as it's browser and it's homepage is MSN. So whenever I open the browser ....there it is ...and there is my Outlook account waiting to have me check my hotmail mail staring back at me. So yeah...that is a pretty baseless argument you got there on that one...
But in the end I do understand transitioning to a different os can be challenging when you are dealing with many people who are affected as well.
So I'd suggest a usb distro
or winxp or win7 on usb ..
as the least upsetting, time / money consuming, invasive and learning curve involved.