How we migrated an Italian logistics company from Windows to Linux: a real case study

In early 2026, a logistics company based in Bergamo, Italy transitioned from a proprietary Windows system to a Linux-based open source environment. The business comprised five workstations, five employees, and no technical expertise within the organization. Their challenges included slow machines, frequent system crashes following Windows updates, and escalating costs with no improvement in performance.

Presented with this scenario, I undertook a migration project aimed at replacing the existing system with a completely open source alternative.

The migration process spanned approximately one week. Initially, I set up a test machine to configure everything and then validated all workflows with the team members. Subsequently, I performed the transition work in off-hours to prevent any operational disruptions. While the technical aspects presented some challenges, the most significant hurdle proved to be psychological.

Employees were accustomed to their familiar Windows setup, and I dedicated considerable time to demonstrating how LibreOffice functions similarly to Microsoft Office and how Nextcloud operates akin to Google Drive. Once this understanding was established, the transition was largely seamless.

Following a six-month period, the company reported no regular technical issues requiring assistance. The machines exhibited improved speed, updates no longer caused crashes, and there were no security breaches. Most notably, each employee regained approximately one hour daily that was previously consumed by system slowness, crashes, and the need to wait for external technical support.

For a team of five, this amounted to an additional five hours of productive work per day. Additionally, the company eliminated recurring software licensing expenses, as the infrastructure now belonged to them rather than a vendor.

The relevance of this case study extends beyond the specific company involved. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Italy face similar challenges, including recurring software costs, reliance on data stored in foreign servers subject to U.S. legal frameworks like the Cloud Act, and dependence on vendors that can alter terms with little notice.

Linux and open source systems are not novel or experimental; they are mature, stable, and well-suited for business operations. The primary barrier to adoption is not technical expertise but rather awareness and understanding of the benefits these systems offer. I have previously articulated these considerations in the Zerolock Manifesto (<https://zerolock.org>).

For those considering similar migrations or seeking further information, I am available for discussion in the comments section.