Save Software CD's on HD?

Now that MB's have turned to GB and now I have a TB of space I had a storage access question.

I am the owner, secretary and IT guru for my 10 person business so time is precious. I would like to use a single drive to store all my OS, MS Office and various other software packages on a external drive and be able to launch an installation from the HD, VS finding and using the CD's. Sounds a bit lazy, but when I have little time enough to run the business and spending a day sorting out 1 computer is a waste. Thus any easier faster way to reduce the time for a fresh install would be great.

Thanks,

Steven

 

Steven

Simply copy the cd to the HD in its own folder, i.e. XP Professional T60 Laptop, and it will not ask for a CD (I presume) during the install process as such what about having the software code as required for the installation? Any way to populate the code automatically? If not I can easily have a text file with the associated code. Thus, from you simple answer nothing really quarky about what I proposed?

Regards,

Steven