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Paying $300-600/User/Year for Windows Licensing?

Abandon Windows → Go Linux

Eliminate Licensing Costs. Improve Security. Escape Vendor Lock-In.

Enterprise Linux migration services including business case analysis, application compatibility assessment, hardened configurations (CIS/DISA-STIG), comprehensive training, and ongoing support. Migrate to Rocky Linux, RHEL, Ubuntu, or Debian with confidence.

$200-500
Savings Per User Per Year
95%
Less Ransomware Risk
4-8 Wks
Pilot to Production
Start Linux Migration Free Cost Savings Analysis

Zero licensing fees • Better security • No vendor lock-in • Runs on older hardware

Windows vs Linux: The Real Cost

Stop paying Microsoft hundreds of dollars per user per year

Windows Annual Costs (Per User)

Windows license (E3/E5) $200-400
CAL (Client Access License) $40-80
Antivirus/EDR subscription $50-100
Office 365 (if not cloud) $100-150
+ Server licenses, Exchange, AD $50-100
Per User Annual $440-830
100 Users $44K-83K/yr

Hidden Costs: Forced upgrades, hardware requirements, malware cleanup, ransomware recovery, vendor lock-in

Linux Annual Costs (Per User)

Linux distro (Rocky/Ubuntu) $0
No CAL fees required $0
Reduced antivirus needs $0-20
Office 365 web (if needed) $100-150
Optional enterprise support $0-100
Per User Annual $100-270
100 Users $10K-27K/yr

Added Benefits: No forced upgrades, runs on older hardware (+3yr lifespan), open source, no telemetry, no vendor lock-in

Annual Savings Calculator

$34K-56K
Annual Savings (100 Users)
$170K-280K
5-Year Savings (100 Users)
1-2 Yrs
ROI Timeline
Calculate My Specific Savings

Why Businesses Choose Linux

Eliminate Licensing Costs

  • $200-500/user/year savings
  • No Windows CAL fees
  • No forced upgrades (Windows 11)
  • Extend hardware lifespan 3-5 years
  • No server licensing (vs Windows Server)
  • Free security updates forever

Superior Security

  • 95% less ransomware risk
  • 1,000+ fewer vulnerabilities vs Windows
  • CIS & DISA-STIG hardening available
  • Open source code auditing
  • SELinux mandatory access controls
  • No telemetry or tracking

Complete Control

  • No vendor lock-in (switch distros anytime)
  • Control update schedule (no forced reboots)
  • Customize everything (full system access)
  • Choose your desktop environment
  • Remove unwanted software
  • Enterprise-grade for free

Windows vs Linux Security: The Numbers Don't Lie

1,200+
Windows CVEs (2023)
~250
Linux CVEs (2023)
95%
Ransomware Targets Windows
<1%
Ransomware Targets Linux

Complete Migration Services

Business Case & Cost Analysis

Detailed ROI analysis showing Windows costs vs Linux, projected savings, migration costs, and payback timeline for your specific organization.

  • Current Windows licensing audit
  • 5-year TCO comparison
  • Migration cost estimation
  • ROI timeline & break-even analysis

Application Compatibility Assessment

Comprehensive analysis of every application in your environment with migration strategy, alternatives, and compatibility solutions.

  • Application inventory & analysis
  • Native Linux alternatives identified
  • Wine compatibility testing
  • VM/RDP strategy for Windows-only apps

Hardened Linux Configurations

Enterprise-hardened Linux configurations following CIS Benchmarks and DISA-STIG baselines with automated compliance validation.

  • CIS Benchmark Level 1 & 2
  • DISA-STIG hardening (if required)
  • SELinux/AppArmor configuration
  • Full disk encryption (LUKS)

Phased Pilot & Rollout

Risk-minimized phased approach starting with pilot group, identifying issues, refining process, then expanding company-wide.

  • Pilot group selection & deployment
  • Issue identification & resolution
  • Department-by-department rollout
  • User feedback & process refinement

Comprehensive Training

User and IT staff training ensuring smooth transition with minimal productivity impact and maximum adoption success.

  • End-user training (2-4 hours)
  • IT admin training (16-32 hours)
  • Video tutorials & documentation
  • Help desk scripts & runbooks

Ongoing Support & Management

Post-migration support ensuring your team's success with troubleshooting, updates, and Linux administration assistance.

  • 30-90 day post-migration support
  • Patch management & updates
  • Troubleshooting & escalation
  • Optional managed Linux services

Enterprise Linux Distributions We Deploy

Rocky Linux

RHEL-Compatible • Enterprise-Ready • Free

Recommended for most businesses. Binary-compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), created by CentOS founder. Enterprise stability without enterprise costs.

Best For: Businesses wanting RHEL compatibility without cost
Support: 10-year lifecycle, community + commercial support
Cost: $0 for distro, optional support available
Certifications: RHEL software certifications apply

Ubuntu LTS

User-Friendly • Large Ecosystem • Well-Supported

Best for first-time Linux users. Most user-friendly enterprise Linux with excellent hardware support and massive software ecosystem. Canonical support available.

Best For: Organizations new to Linux, diverse hardware
Support: 5-year LTS + extended security (10 years)
Cost: $0 for distro, Canonical support $75-225/yr/system
Ease of Use: Most Windows-like experience

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Official Support • Certifications • Expensive

Only if you need Red Hat support. Same as Rocky Linux but with official Red Hat support. Most organizations don't need it - Rocky Linux is identical without cost.

Best For: Enterprises requiring Red Hat support contracts
Support: Official Red Hat support, 10-year lifecycle
Cost: $350-1,200/system/year (expensive)
Recommendation: Use Rocky Linux instead (free)

Debian

Ultra-Stable • Community-Driven • Free

For stability over features. Ultra-conservative release schedule (every 2-3 years) means rock-solid stability. Good for servers, less ideal for desktops (older software).

Best For: Servers requiring maximum stability
Support: 5+ year support, community-driven
Cost: $0, pure community support
Note: Older packages (stability over features)

Our Recommendation

Rocky Linux for most businesses (RHEL compatibility, free, enterprise-ready). Ubuntu LTS if ease-of-use is priority (first-time Linux users, diverse hardware).

From Windows to Linux: Migration Timeline

Typical small-to-medium business migration: 8-16 weeks

Week 1-2

Discovery & Business Case

Windows licensing audit, application inventory, user interviews, compatibility assessment, cost analysis, and ROI calculation. Deliverable: Migration feasibility report.

Outcome: Go/No-Go decision with projected savings and timeline
Week 3-4

Linux Configuration & Testing

Select Linux distribution, configure hardened baseline (CIS/DISA-STIG), test application compatibility, setup Windows VM for Windows-only apps, prepare deployment images.

Outcome: Production-ready Linux configuration + compatibility matrix
Week 5-8

Pilot Deployment & User Training

Deploy Linux to pilot group (10-20 users), conduct user training, collect feedback, identify issues, refine deployment process, document FAQ and troubleshooting.

Outcome: Validated migration process + trained pilot users
Week 9-16

Phased Company-Wide Rollout

Department-by-department migration, ongoing training, help desk support, Windows server retention (if needed for AD/apps), final Windows license returns, ongoing optimization.

Outcome: Full Linux migration complete, license savings realized

Migration Complete!

You're now saving $200-500/user/year on licensing, running on hardened secure Linux, with no vendor lock-in. Hardware lifespan extended 3-5 years.

What You Receive

Everything needed for successful Linux migration

Migration Roadmap

Comprehensive migration plan including timeline, phasing, resource requirements, risk mitigation, and rollback procedures.

Application Compatibility Assessment

Complete analysis of every application with compatibility status, Linux alternatives, VM strategy, and migration approach.

Hardened Linux Configurations

CIS Benchmark-compliant Linux images with SELinux, full disk encryption, automated compliance validation (OpenSCAP).

User & IT Training

Comprehensive training materials: video tutorials, quick start guides, cheat sheets, help desk scripts, IT administration course.

ROI & Cost Savings Analysis

Detailed financial analysis showing Windows costs eliminated, migration investment, payback timeline, 5-year TCO comparison.

90-Day Support Plan

Post-migration support including troubleshooting, patch management, configuration optimization, and escalation to our team.

Start My Linux Migration

Why Choose Fedlin for Linux Migration?

Linux Expertise

Deep enterprise Linux experience (RHEL, Rocky, Ubuntu, Debian) with CIS hardening, DISA-STIG compliance, and 10+ years managing production Linux environments.

Risk-Minimized Approach

Phased migration starting with pilot group, identifying issues early, refining before company-wide rollout. No "big bang" risky deployments - controlled, validated process.

Business-Focused

We understand it's about ROI, not just technology. Detailed cost analysis, realistic timelines, user adoption focus, and measurable savings - business case first, technical second.

Knowledge Transfer

Comprehensive training ensures your team can maintain Linux post-migration. We don't create dependency - we transfer knowledge and provide support until you're self-sufficient.

Security-Hardened

All Linux deployments are CIS Benchmark-compliant with optional DISA-STIG hardening. OpenSCAP compliance scanning, SELinux, full disk encryption, and automated audit logging.

Ongoing Support

90-day post-migration support included. Optional managed Linux services available for organizations wanting ongoing administration, patch management, and troubleshooting.

Save $200-500 Per User Per Year on Windows Licensing

Escape Windows Licensing Costs Forever

Migrate to enterprise Linux with CIS-hardened configurations, comprehensive training, and ongoing support. Eliminate vendor lock-in while improving security.

✅ $34K-56K Annual Savings (100 Users)
✅ 95% Less Ransomware Risk
✅ Phased Migration (Low Risk)
Start Linux Migration Now Free Cost Savings Analysis

Rocky Linux • Ubuntu LTS • CIS Hardening • DISA-STIG • Zero Licensing Fees • No Vendor Lock-In

Or call (505) 216-6027 • Based in Nashville, TN • Serving clients nationwide

Windows-to-Linux Migration FAQ

Everything you need to know about migrating to enterprise Linux

Three compelling reasons: (1) Cost - Eliminate Windows licensing ($200-400/user/year) and CAL fees, saving $50K-500K+ annually. (2) Security - Linux has far fewer vulnerabilities, no ransomware targeting, and enterprise hardening (CIS/DISA-STIG). (3) Control - No forced updates, vendor lock-in, or telemetry. Plus, Linux runs on older hardware, extending device lifespan 3-5 years.

Windows costs: Licenses ($200-400/user/year), CALs ($40-80/user/year), Server licenses ($1K-6K each), Exchange Server ($1K+), Active Directory, antivirus ($50-100/user/year). Total: $300-600/user/year. Linux costs: $0 for distro (Rocky, Ubuntu, Debian), optional enterprise support ($50-100/user/year), reduced antivirus needs. Savings: $200-500/user/year. For 100 users: $20K-50K annual savings.

Most business applications do: Microsoft Office 365 (browser/cloud), Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Chrome/Firefox, VPN clients, Citrix, VMware Horizon. Windows-only apps can run via: Wine compatibility layer (60-80% success), Windows VMs (VMware Workstation), Citrix/RDP remote apps, or cloud replacements (QuickBooks → Xero). We assess your app portfolio and provide compatibility roadmap.

Timeline depends on scale: Small office (< 50 users): 4-8 weeks. Medium (50-200): 8-16 weeks. Enterprise (200+): 3-6 months. Phased approach: Pilot group (weeks 1-4) → Department rollout (weeks 5-12) → Company-wide (weeks 13+). Critical: Users continue working during migration with minimal disruption.

Top enterprise choices: RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) - most enterprise support, certifications, 10-year lifecycle. Rocky Linux - free RHEL clone, binary compatible, community support. Ubuntu LTS - user-friendly, 5-year support, large software ecosystem. Debian - ultra-stable, free, 5+ year support. We recommend: Rocky Linux (best of RHEL without cost) or Ubuntu LTS (ease of use + support).

RHEL: Commercial Linux from Red Hat, enterprise support, certifications, expensive ($350-1200/year/system). Rocky Linux: Free RHEL clone created by CentOS founder, binary compatible, community support, no cost. CentOS: Discontinued (replaced by CentOS Stream). Ubuntu: Debian-based, Canonical support available, more consumer-friendly, excellent hardware support. For business: Rocky Linux (RHEL compatibility, no cost) or Ubuntu LTS (ease of use).

Yes. Rocky Linux: Community support (free) + third-party support vendors. Ubuntu: Canonical support ($75-225/year/system) or community. Red Hat: Purchase RHEL support if needed. We provide: Implementation support, hardening, training, ongoing managed services. Most SMBs don't need vendor support - our team provides everything needed.

Avoid for business. Fedora: 6-month release cycle (too fast for enterprise stability). Arch: Rolling release (breaks production systems). Mint/Pop!_OS: Desktop-focused, not enterprise hardened. Stick with: Rocky Linux, RHEL, Ubuntu LTS, Debian - proven enterprise stability, security updates, long-term support, compliance certifications.

Yes, three options: (1) Office 365 web apps (browser-based, full compatibility, recommended). (2) LibreOffice (free, 95% MS Office compatible, opens/saves .docx/.xlsx). (3) Windows VM for legacy Office (VMware/VirtualBox). Most organizations migrate to Office 365 web apps or Google Workspace - better collaboration, no compatibility issues, works on any OS.

Assessment process: (1) Cloud-native apps: Work immediately (SaaS/web-based). (2) Compatible apps: Run natively on Linux (60% of business apps). (3) Wine-compatible: Run with Wine compatibility layer (20%). (4) Windows-only: Remote Desktop/Citrix to Windows server (15%), or migrate to Linux alternatives (5%). We provide detailed compatibility report with migration path for each application.

QuickBooks: Run via Windows VM, or migrate to cloud alternatives (Xero, QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks). Adobe: Creative Cloud works in browser for some tools; professional designers keep Windows/Mac, others use GIMP/Inkscape. Industry software: Many have Linux versions (CAD: FreeCAD, DraftSight; Medical: OpenEMR; Engineering: many support Linux). We assess your specific software and provide alternatives or compatibility solutions.

Options: (1) Keep Windows Server for AD/file sharing, migrate desktops only (common approach). (2) Migrate to Azure AD/Entra ID + cloud storage (Microsoft 365/Google Workspace). (3) Replace AD with FreeIPA/Samba (open source AD alternative). (4) Hybrid: Azure AD for cloud, on-prem Linux Samba for file sharing. We recommend: Keep Windows Server for AD if exists, or move to Azure AD for new deployments.

Measurably yes. 2023 vulnerability data: Windows (1,200+ CVEs), Linux kernel (200-300 CVEs). Ransomware: 95% targets Windows, < 1% Linux. Malware: Millions targeting Windows, thousands targeting Linux. Why: Open source code review, rapid security patches, permission model (no admin-by-default), smaller attack surface, no legacy code bloat. Plus, Linux hardening (CIS/DISA-STIG) exceeds Windows security baseline capabilities.

Yes, often easier than Windows. Linux advantages: CIS Benchmarks Level 1 & 2 available, DISA-STIG hardening (DoD approved), auditable configuration (no hidden telemetry), encrypted full disk (LUKS), mandatory access controls (SELinux/AppArmor), detailed audit logging (auditd). We implement CIS-hardened Linux configurations that exceed Windows compliance capabilities while providing better security and audit evidence.

Comprehensive hardening: CIS Benchmark Level 1 (automated compliance), Optional Level 2 (high security), DISA-STIG baselines (DoD-grade), SELinux/AppArmor (mandatory access controls), Full disk encryption (LUKS), Secure boot configuration, Automated patch management, Host-based firewall (iptables/nftables), Intrusion detection (AIDE), Centralized logging, Fail2ban (brute force protection). All validated with OpenSCAP compliance scanning.

Linux needs less antivirus (no Windows malware), but we implement: ClamAV (open source antivirus) for email/file scanning, Malware detection for Windows file shares (protect Windows clients), Optional commercial EDR (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne support Linux), Host-based IDS/IPS (AIDE, OSSEC), Application whitelisting (fapolicyd), Network monitoring, Regular vulnerability scanning. Most malware is Windows-targeted, so Linux endpoints have significantly lower infection risk.

Initial resistance is normal (change management issue, not technical). Success factors: (1) Modern Linux desktop (Ubuntu/Rocky with GNOME) looks similar to Windows. (2) Apps remain the same (Chrome, Slack, Office 365 browser). (3) Comprehensive training (2-4 hours gets users productive). (4) Pilot program (early adopters become champions). (5) IT support during transition. Typical experience: 2-3 weeks to comfort, 4-6 weeks to preference. Many users prefer Linux after adjustment period.

User training (2-4 hours): Desktop navigation, file management, application launching, web browser usage, keyboard shortcuts, printing, common tasks. IT training (16-32 hours): Linux administration basics, package management, user administration, file system structure, networking, security hardening, troubleshooting, backup/recovery. Ongoing support: Documentation, video tutorials, help desk scripts, escalation to our team. Goal: IT team self-sufficient in 30-60 days.

Hybrid approaches: (1) Dual boot (Linux + Windows on same machine, choose at startup). (2) Windows VM (VMware Workstation on Linux desktop for Windows apps). (3) Remote Desktop (RDP to Windows server for Windows-only apps). (4) Keep Windows for specific roles (design, engineering requiring Windows-only tools). (5) Citrix/VDI (published apps to Linux desktop). Most users: Linux full-time with occasional Windows VM access.

5-year TCO comparison (100 users): Windows - Licenses: $150K, Server: $25K, CALs: $20K, Exchange: $15K, Antivirus: $25K, Support: $50K. Total: $285K. Linux - Distro: $0, Support: $25K, Training: $10K, Migration: $50K, Ongoing: $25K. Total: $110K. Savings: $175K (61%). Additional benefits: Extended hardware life (+3 years), reduced malware costs, faster patch management, no forced upgrades.

Migration costs (varies by size): Small (< 50 users): $25K-50K (assessment, pilot, rollout, training). Medium (50-200): $50K-150K (phased rollout, app migration, AD integration). Large (200+): $150K-500K (complex apps, data center migration, extensive training). ROI timeline: Small: 1-2 years, Medium: 2-3 years, Large: 2-4 years. Savings continue indefinitely - no recurring Windows licensing fees.

Phased migration recommended: Phase 1 (Weeks 1-4): Pilot group (10-20 users), identify issues, refine process. Phase 2 (Weeks 5-12): Department rollout (25-50% users), expand support. Phase 3 (Weeks 13-24): Company-wide (remaining users). Keep: Windows servers (if needed for AD/apps), Windows for specialized roles. Benefits: Reduced risk, user adaptation, iterative improvement, business continuity. Most organizations take 3-6 months for full migration.

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