How to Switch CRM Without Losing Data

CRM migration guide. How to transfer contacts, deals, and email history between platforms without data loss. AU Privacy Act included.

Estimated time: 4-8 hoursDifficulty: Hard
What this guide coversThis guide walks you through every stage of this migration for Australian businesses. You will learn what data transfers automatically, what requires manual import via CSV, and how to handle AU-specific requirements like BAS reporting periods, STP finalisation and bank feed reconnection.

What Transfers & What Doesn’t

Not everything moves across automatically. Use this table to plan your migration scope.

Data TypeAuto Transfer?Notes
Contacts & CompaniesYesMost CRMs support CSV import — deduplicate before migration
Deals/OpportunitiesPartialOpen deals transfer via CSV — pipeline stages may need remapping
Email HistoryNoEmail threads rarely transfer between CRMs — export as archive
Notes & Activity LogPartialSome migration tools preserve notes — activity timestamps may shift
Custom FieldsNoRecreate custom fields in new CRM first, then map in import CSV
Attachments & DocumentsNoDownload all files from old CRM — re-upload to new system manually
Automations & WorkflowsNoRebuild from scratch — document existing automations before decommissioning
IntegrationsNoReconnect Xero/MYOB, email, and marketing tools in new CRM

Step-by-Step Migration Guide

  1. Step 1

    Follow the detailed instructions for this step of the migration process. Ensure all data is verified before proceeding to the next step.

  2. Step 2

    Follow the detailed instructions for this step of the migration process. Ensure all data is verified before proceeding to the next step.

  3. Step 3

    Follow the detailed instructions for this step of the migration process. Ensure all data is verified before proceeding to the next step.

  4. Step 4

    Follow the detailed instructions for this step of the migration process. Ensure all data is verified before proceeding to the next step.

  5. Step 5

    Follow the detailed instructions for this step of the migration process. Ensure all data is verified before proceeding to the next step.

  6. Step 6

    Follow the detailed instructions for this step of the migration process. Ensure all data is verified before proceeding to the next step.

  7. Step 7

    Follow the detailed instructions for this step of the migration process. Ensure all data is verified before proceeding to the next step.

  8. Step 8

    Follow the detailed instructions for this step of the migration process. Ensure all data is verified before proceeding to the next step.

  9. Step 9

    Follow the detailed instructions for this step of the migration process. Ensure all data is verified before proceeding to the next step.

Pre-Migration Checklist

  • Reconcile all bank accounts up to the conversion date
  • Lodge all outstanding BAS and IAS returns
  • Finalise and lodge STP report for the current pay period
  • Export key reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Trial Balance) as PDFs
  • Back up your data to an external drive and cloud storage
  • Notify your BAS agent or bookkeeper about the planned switch date
Caution: Mid-Year Migration & STP ImplicationsSwitching software mid-financial year introduces risk around Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting. If you migrate between 1 Jul and 30 Jun, you must finalise an STP event in your old system before cutting over, then lodge a “Year to Date” event in the new system with carried-forward figures.