How to migrate from ConnectWise PSA to Orbit
ConnectWise PSA is the legacy default for MSPs running 20+ years. Most teams migrate when the licensing math, UX friction, and integration sprawl finally cost more than the switch. This guide walks through what actually moves over, how long it takes, and how the per-day workflow changes once Orbit's running.
Written by Orbit Editorial Team
MSP & B2B service-operations writers
Reviewed for technical accuracy
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Quick Answer
ConnectWise PSA is the legacy default for MSPs running 20+ years. Most teams migrate when the licensing math, UX friction, and integration sprawl finally cost more than the switch. This guide walks through what actually moves over, how long it takes, and how the per-day workflow changes once Orbit's running.
Who it's for
- MSP owners evaluating life after ConnectWise
- Operations leaders mid-renewal cycle
- Teams already on Sell + Manage looking to consolidate CRM + PSA
Pain points we solve
- Per-module licensing pricing creeping past $80/user when CRM and reporting modules are added
- ConnectWise's UI feels like a 2010 desktop app — new techs take weeks to onboard
- CRM features depend on Sell add-on or external HubSpot/Salesforce integration
- Manage's automation engine requires admin services to configure non-trivial flows
How Orbit fits
Orbit consolidates ConnectWise Manage + Sell + Campaign into one $59/user platform with native Stripe billing, Tuesday AI risk intelligence, and a modern UI techs adopt in days. Migration support imports clients, contacts, agreements, ticket history, and time entries.
What Orbit delivers
Full historical import
Clients, contacts, agreements, configurations, ticket history (typically 2-3 years), time entries.
Agreement template mapping
ConnectWise agreement types map to Orbit recurring billing models — flat, per-seat, per-device, hybrid.
Parallel-run mode
Bring high-priority clients onto Orbit first, then cutover the rest. No big-bang risk.
Automation re-implementation
ConnectWise workflow rules ported as Orbit automation triggers — visual builder, no service tickets to your CSM.
When teams reach for this
- Mid-renewal evaluation (Q3/Q4 typical for ConnectWise renewals)
- Tech retention concerns from UX friction
- Consolidating Sell + Manage + external CRM into one platform
- Stripe-first billing modernization
Frequently asked questions
- How long does a ConnectWise to Orbit migration take?
- Typical timeline: 3-4 weeks for a 10-50 user MSP. Discovery is 1 week, data import 1-2 weeks, parallel run + cutover the final week. Larger MSPs (50+ users with deep agreement complexity) extend to 6-8 weeks. Migration support is included in every plan.
- What data moves from ConnectWise?
- Clients, contacts, configurations, agreements (with their billing models intact), ticket history (typically 2-3 years; older history can be archived to S3), time entries, and invoice records. Custom fields map case-by-case. Internal notes and ticket history threading is preserved.
- Can we run ConnectWise and Orbit in parallel during the cutover?
- Yes — parallel-run is the recommended path. Bring 5-10 priority clients onto Orbit first, validate the workflow for 1-2 weeks, then cutover the remaining book. This eliminates big-bang risk on day-of-switch.
- What about ConnectWise Automate (RMM)?
- Orbit is the PSA + CRM layer; pair it with the RMM you already use (Automate, NinjaOne, Datto, Atera). Ticket alerts from your RMM flow into Orbit via email-to-ticket or API webhook. Most MSPs leave Automate in place during the PSA migration and re-evaluate RMM separately.
- How does $59/user compare to ConnectWise's all-in price?
- ConnectWise PSA (Manage) is typically $55-80/user/month, plus Sell ($30-50) for CRM, plus Campaign for marketing, plus separate billing tools. A consolidated ConnectWise stack lands at $130-180/user. Orbit's $59 includes all those workflows in one platform.
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