The “Microsoft Tax” is real, and most Dallas MSPs love it.
If you look at the standard Managed Service Provider (MSP) model in Dallas, it almost always looks the same: buy a server, pay for Windows Server licenses, pay for Client Access Licenses (CALs), and then pay a monthly fee to keep it all running.
For many businesses, this is fine. But for a growing number of Dallas companies—whether you are a dev shop in Plano, a logistics firm in Irving, or a creative agency in Deep Ellum—this “Windows-only” approach is costing you thousands in unnecessary licensing fees.
This is where a Linux-friendly MSP changes the game.
What is a Linux MSP?
A Linux MSP is a Managed Service Provider that doesn’t default to Microsoft for every problem. While we are fully capable of managing Windows environments (and we do, every day!), we also specialize in Open Source solutions.
Why does this matter? Because Open Source software (like Linux) allows us to build robust, enterprise-grade infrastructure without the enterprise-grade licensing fees.
3 Reasons to Choose a Linux MSP in Dallas
1. Drastically Lower Infrastructure Costs
When you hire a standard IT firm to set up a file server or a web server, they will likely quote you for a Windows Server license. That’s hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars just for the privilege of turning the computer on. At Daily Data, we can deploy a Rocky Linux or Ubuntu server to do the exact same job—securely and reliably—for zero licensing dollars. You pay for our expertise, not a sticker on a box.
2. “Security by Diversity”
Ransomware loves homogeneity. When every computer in a network runs the exact same operating system with the exact same vulnerabilities, a single virus can sweep through the whole building in minutes. By introducing Linux servers and appliances into your network, you create natural firebreaks. Linux is architecturally different from Windows, meaning the malware targeting your receptionist’s PC often has no idea how to infect your Linux backup server. It is a layer of immunity that Windows-only shops simply cannot offer.
3. We Support the “Hybrid” Reality
You might be thinking, “But my staff needs Word and Excel. We can’t switch to Linux!” We know. And we wouldn’t ask you to. The best IT environment is often a Hybrid Environment.
-
Front End: Your staff keeps their Windows 11 laptops and familiar Office 365 apps.
-
Back End: Your file storage, backups, firewalls, and heavy lifting run on rock-solid Linux servers.
This gives you the user experience your team wants with the stability and cost-savings the business owner needs.
Daily Data: The “Oddball” of Dallas IT (And Proud of It)
We’ve been doing this since 1995. Back then, people told us Linux was just a hobby. Now, it runs the internet. While other Dallas MSPs are busy trying to resell you software, we are busy engineering solutions. We are one of the few providers in the DFW Metroplex with deep, native expertise in Linux, FreeBSD, and Open Source technologies. We offer one of the top-rated Unix technician resources as a free service and part of our commitment to making Linux accessible to everyone.
Do you have a Linux server that your current IT guy is “afraid to touch”? Or are you tired of licensing audits and rising software costs?
Let’s have a conversation. We can show you how a Linux-friendly approach can make your business more resilient and profitable.
