EZ Micro, an MSP (managed services provider) based in Pennsylvania, serving Lehigh Valley, has been supporting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) since the late 1990s. With clients across verticals such as nonprofits, manufacturing, engineering, and charities, EZ Micro has built its reputation on reliability, adaptability, and personalized service.

Clinton Schaeffer, EVP, joined the company as an engineer in 2013 and leads operations, has played a pivotal role in its evolution. With a vision and a plan, Schaeffer has focused on modernizing EZ Micro’s technology stack—most notably, transitioning from ConnectWise Automate (on-premises) to ConnectWise RMM (cloud-based).

Legacy Complexity and Operational Overhead 

For years, EZ Micro relied on ConnectWise Automate hosted on-premises. While powerful, Automate presented several challenges:

• Complex proprietary scripting language that required senior engineers to manage.
• High barrier to entry for junior technicians.
• Manual patching and maintenance consumed valuable time.
• Limited native functionality, requiring custom workarounds for essential tasks like third-party software deployment or hardware monitoring.

Schaeffer explained: “We never really had a champion [inside our organization] for Automate. Our higher-end guys would write some scripting here and there, but the barrier to entry was high. It had its own language with nuances that made scripting unreliable—especially with Windows 10.” 

The Turning Point: Evaluating RMM and Cloud Migration

Schaeffer’s participation in IT Nation Connect and IT Nation Evolve meetings exposed him to the evolving capabilities of ConnectWise RMM. Initially, the solution lacked feature parity with Automate, making it an unattractive option for EZ Micro. But over time, ConnectWise invested heavily in RMM, redesigning it from the ground up to be a cloud-native, intuitive, and scalable solution.

“Initially a few years ago, I would say ConnectWise RMM features just weren’t there. But this year at IT Nation Connect, I saw it for myself, and I was convinced to make the move. Now we can do things like third-party patching natively which is pretty awesome.” 

Modernization with Purpose: EZ Micro’s Three-Pillar Migration Framework

Recognizing that a successful transition to cloud-based RMM required more than just a technology swap, EZ Micro approached the migration with careful planning and long-term vision. According to Schaeffer, the goal wasn’t just to replace a tool—"it was to modernize operations, reduce complexity, and empower the team with scalable, intuitive solutions.” Their strategy focused on three key pillars:

• Vendor Reassessment: They revisited previously-used vendors like Axcient for BCDR, finding their updated offerings aligned with current needs.
• Gradual Rollout: ConnectWise RMM was introduced in phases, allowing the EZ Micro team to test and validate its capabilities while retaining access to their Automate setup.
• Training and Enablement: With ConnectWise RMM’s use of PowerShell instead of a proprietary language, scripting became more accessible. Schaeffer emphasized, “now I can confidently task a level 1 or 2 tech with writing a PowerShell script, instead of reserving the task for a tech well versed in the inner workings of Automate."

Unlocking Efficiency: Time, Cost, and Operational Gains with Cloud RMM

1. Time and Cost Savings: One of the most tangible benefits of migrating to RMM was the dramatic reduction in time spent on routine tasks. Schaeffer shared: “Every Wednesday night, I’d check for updates and patch Automate, PSA, and ScreenConnect. If everything went well, it took an hour. Sometimes two or three. Over a year, that’s 40+ hours of high-level labor.”  

With RMM, those tasks are automated and tracked, eliminating the need for manual intervention. “Now it’s set it-and-forget it. I spend 15 minutes setting it up for the year, and I get the report at the end,” Clinton said. He added, “The built in features not only give me peace of mind from having to do previous maintenance task manually, but they are huge time savers.”

2. Native Functionality and Automation: RMM’s built-in capabilities eliminated the need for custom scripting and third-party tools. “With RMM, key features are built in. That’s what modern RMM systems should do,” Clinton said.  

3. Lower Barrier to Entry: RMM’s intuitive design and use of PowerShell made it accessible to junior technicians. Clinton explained, “Previously, I had to create dynamic searches, groups, and scripts in Automate’s language. Now, I can delegate tasks more easily. Our techs can contribute without needing deep platform knowledge.” This democratization of automation has improved team productivity and reduced reliance on specialized skill sets.

4. Operational Flexibility and Peace of Mind: Beyond technical improvements, the migration brought peace of mind. Schaeffer emphasized, “Knowing that ConnectWiise RMM is handling essential maintenance tasks automatically, without me having to check every week, is huge. That’s hard to quantify, but it’s invaluable.” 

He also highlighted the hidden costs many MSPs face: “I know plenty of people who spend thousands of dollars a month hiring someone to maintain Automate or add functionality. That’s not our goal. We want built-in functionality and a lower barrier to entry.”