MSP Automation: NinjaOne, Acronis & ConnectWise

Managed service providers (MSPs) handle a constant operational load, including ticket management, patch management, onboarding, alert monitoring, billing reconciliation, and documentation updates. These are necessary but time-intensive tasks. Automation changes the equation by reducing manual workload and the risk of human error, enabling proactive responses through continuous system monitoring, and improving response times and consistency across client systems.

Compare four MSP automation tools: NinjaOne, Acronis Workflow Automation, Rewst, and ConnectWise Automate.

Top 4 MSP automation tools

Note: The table is sorted alphabetically, with our subscribers listed at the top.

MSP automation tools integrations

Note: The integrations are gathered from vendor websites. 

NinjaOne

NinjaOne is a cloud-based endpoint management platform that automates MSP work through a policy engine, a scripting and scheduled task framework, and a multi-tenant structure that applies one policy or automation across every client organization.

• RMM with policy inheritance: Agent-based monitoring of Windows, macOS, and Linux with condition-based alerting.
• Patch management: OS and third-party application patching. Covers more than 4,000 third-party applications and includes autonomous patching that uses patch intelligence to determine sequencing and risk.
• Native backup: Device backup (image and file/folder) and SaaS backup for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, with file, image, and bare-metal restore.
• Native PSA: Ticketing, time tracking, IT asset management, and documentation, with up to three licenses. NinjaOne also integrates with third-party PSA and ITSM tools for MSPs keeping an existing service desk.
• Vulnerability management and CMMC tooling: Vulnerability identification tied to remediation actions and compliance reporting. NinjaOne states its platform addresses up to 90% of CMMC Level 2 technical requirements.
• Automation and scripting: Scripts run in PowerShell, Batch, Shell, and JavaScript, or come from NinjaOne’s public script library, and attach to a monitoring condition.
• Security and compliance: NinjaOne holds FedRAMP Authorization and ISO/IEC 27001 certification, and reports SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and HIPAA compliance.

Acronis Workflow Automation

We created a workflow with Acronis Workflow Automation, and here are our observations:

We began the setup on the first screen by selecting the option that best described the business model. After completing the setup, we reached the home page and saw the Copilot AI feature in the top-right corner.

Next, we navigated to the “Integrations” section. We also found an option to create our own integration, which redirected us to the Acronis developer documentation.

We then returned to the dashboard, where a default tenant named “my first tenant” was available. We selected this tenant and clicked “Open service” to access its service area.

Acronis Cyber Protect

Inside the service area, we selected Microsoft 365, then chose the first option with a higher protection level (including user mailboxes, group mailboxes, public folders, Teams, etc.), more frequent backups (up to 6 times a day), and cloud storage. Note that this step is a part of the test scenario, not required for all workflow automation use cases.

After connecting to Microsoft 365, the connection appeared under “My first customer.” From there, we went to Management and navigated to the Workflows section.

Acronis Cyber Protect

In the Workflows area, there were ready-made templates. Users can use these templates to quickly build workflows or customize them to better align with their specific needs.

We then clicked “Create,” entered the workflow name and description in the naming window, and created the workflow.

The workflow builder screen then appeared, where we could build a no-code workflow using drag-and-drop. We created a sample workflow that included a trigger and several actions arranged in sequence.

Acronis Cyber Protect

If we want to delete a step in the middle of the workflow, the system alerts us that dependent steps may also be affected, helping prevent errors.

Finally, we activated the workflow from the Activity section.

Acronis Cyber Protect

We also reviewed the trigger settings to see the available event types that could start a workflow, and the action settings to understand the actions we could add after the trigger.

Acronis Cyber Protect

The workflow we built for Acronis:

The trigger is User-created: Whenever a new user appears in the Acronis tenant, the workflow fires. Then four actions run in sequence:

1. Get user tenant: Retrieves the tenant info of the new user. This step exists to test variable passing: Can the platform grab data from one step and use it later in the workflow? This is a core automation capability.
2. Configure notification: Automatically enables Failure, Warning, Success, and Daily recap notifications for the new user. This tests whether the platform can modify user settings as part of a workflow.
3. Manage user roles: Assigns a set of default roles (Administrator for File Sync, Engineer for PSA, Administrator for Cyber Infrastructure). This tests whether the platform can automatically provision access control, which is one of the most valuable MSP automation use cases.
4. Condition (IF/ELSE branch): Checks whether the user’s tenant kind equals “Customer.” This is critical because it tests conditional branching, one of the defining features of a real workflow automation engine. A platform without branching is a sequential script runner.

Then the workflow splits into two paths:

1. Path A (tenant is a customer): Delay (30s) → Send email to tenant admins (“User successfully onboarded”) → End. The delay tests the platform’s ability to handle timing/wait steps. The email tests notification delivery.
2. Path B (tenant is not a customer): Send email to tenant admins (“User onboarding needs review”) → End. This is the error/exception path.

Why did we test this workflow?

In one workflow, we are exercising:

• Triggers (event-driven execution)
• Multi-step sequential actions
• Variable passing between steps (Get tenant → used in condition)
• Configuration changes (notifications)
• Access control provisioning (roles)
• Conditional branching (IF/ELSE)
• Timing controls (Delay)
• External notifications (email to admins)

ConnectWise Automate

ConnectWise Automate is an RMM platform that natively integrates with ConnectWise PSA and ScreenConnect, as well as broader ecosystem tools through APIs. It also supports compatibility with platforms like Rewst for extended orchestration.

• Advanced scripting: Extensive scripting support enables tailored workflows. AI-assisted scripting speeds development while maintaining human oversight.
• Proactive monitoring and alerts: Custom monitoring policies trigger automated alerts based on system conditions. This improves visibility and enables faster resolution.
• Patch management: Automates patch deployment across endpoints, reducing vulnerability exposure and maintaining compliance.
• Remote access and troubleshooting: Technicians can access systems remotely without disrupting users. This supports efficient issue resolution across distributed environments.

Rewst

Rewst focuses on cross-platform orchestration, enabling teams to automate workflows across PSA, RMM, security, and cloud systems through a single interface. Key features are:

• Prebuilt automations (Crates): A library of ready-to-deploy workflows covering common MSP operations such as user onboarding, billing processes, and alert handling. These templates reduce setup time and help standardize execution.
• RoboRewsty AI Assistant: Users can describe a process in plain language and generate a working workflow. It can also assist with documentation and troubleshooting.
• Multi-tenant architecture: Users can create workflows once and deploy across all clients. This is critical for MSP scalability and consistent service delivery.
• Integration builder: For tools without native support, APIs can be converted into usable actions. This extends automation across a diverse stack of existing tools.
• Robotic Operations Center (ROC): A support layer that helps MSPs build and maintain automations. This reduces the burden on internal teams.

Rewst connects with:

• PSA platforms such as ConnectWise PSA and Autotask
• RMM tools, including ConnectWise Automate and NinjaRMM
• Microsoft services like Microsoft 365 and Azure
• Security platforms such as CrowdStrike and SentinelOne
• Documentation tools like IT Glue and Hudu

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Key features of MSP automation tools

How to choose the right MSP automation tool

Selecting the right platform depends on several factors:

• Environment complexity: Large, complex environments often benefit from tools like ConnectWise Automate. Cross-platform orchestration points toward Rewst.
• Technical expertise: Teams with scripting experience can leverage deeper customization. Others may prefer no-code approaches.
• Existing stack: Compatibility with PSA, RMM, and security tools is critical.
• Total cost: Licensing is a part of the equation. Maintenance and development time matter.
• Support and community: Access to documentation and peer knowledge can accelerate adoption.

Cite this research

Pick the format that matches where you're publishing. Pasting the link version into your CMS preserves the backlink.

@misc{ermut2026,
  author = {Ermut, Sıla},
  title  = {{MSP Automation: NinjaOne, Acronis & ConnectWise}},
  year   = {2026},
  month  = sep,
  howpublished    = {\url{https://aimultiple.com/msp-automation}},
  note   = {AIMultiple. Retrieved September 21, 2026}
}

Sıla Ermut

Industry Analyst

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Sıla Ermut is an industry analyst at AIMultiple covering AI models, AI infrastructure, AI governance, and enterprise AI applications. Her research focuses mostly on the use of AI in marketing, healthcare, supply chains, and sustainability.
She previously worked as a recruiter in project management and consulting firms. Sıla holds a Master of Science degree in Social Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations.

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