Commence CRM to HubSpot
Windows-based CRM (Commence RM) with customizable categories, connections between items, a report writer and automated processing.
Commence CRM data can move into HubSpot, landing mainly in Sales Hub. 2 of 5 mapped objects move directly (Contacts (Person category) and Accounts/Companies (Company category)); 3 items need manual work and 3 do not move. Plan roughly 2-4 weeks for a small move and 8-16 weeks for a large one.
Migration checklist for Commence CRM
Three phases, specific to this system. Tick steps off as you go.
Before
0 of 5 doneDuring
0 of 5 doneAfter
0 of 5 doneWhat will it take?
No price list: cost follows volume, custom objects and how much logic must be rebuilt. Answer four quick questions for a planning range.
The three scenarios
Small migration
<10k records, few categories
Mid migration
10k-100k records, custom categories
Large migration
>100k records, heavy history and automation
What moves the number
Timeline ranges are planning estimates, not a quote. A partner confirms scope after discovery.
Access, mapping and limits
Start with how data leaves Commence CRM: what you need to get in, what lands in HubSpot, and what will not.
Commence Database API (ActiveX/COM, local client)
Commence user login with export rights on the database; no cloud API credentials confirmed.
Choose your route
How will you move the data?
No native connector was found.
- You need: Commence user login with export rights on the database; no cloud API credentials confirmed.
- Permission: To confirm
Native imports often bring over only some data, so check coverage per object in the mapping below.
Export each object, clean it, then import it into HubSpot.
- Export by category or by view using an export template (CSV, tab-delimited, DIF, dbf and others)
- Field mapping in the export template, including connection fields
- Report export to HTML, PDF, RTF or XLS
Limits: To confirm
Migration and sync tools can move more than a plain import. Confirm which objects each one supports before you choose.
Best when volume is high, custom objects are many or automation is heavy. That is the Large scenario: 8-16 weeks, usually phased.
Talk to a partnerWhere each object lands
In Commence CRM
In HubSpot
Hover or tap anything on the left to see where it lands.
| Source object | In HubSpot | Moves | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts (Person category) | Contacts | yes | Exported via category template to CSV, then imported with the HubSpot imports tool. |
| Accounts/Companies (Company category) | Companies | yes | A Company data template exists in the KB. Contact-to-company links come through connection fields. |
| Deals/Opportunities (custom or sales category) | Deals | partial | Categories are customizable, so deal structure varies by database. Pipelines and stages need mapping. |
| History/activities (calls, notes, emails, tasks) | Notes | partial | Export each activity category separately. The HubSpot imports API supports activities such as notes. Coverage of connections is unverified. |
| Users/owners | Contacts | manual | Map the owner name to a HubSpot user by hand or in the CSV. |
What to expect
No import path; rebuild as HubSpot workflows.
Report exports are static outputs; rebuild as HubSpot reports.
Rebuild as HubSpot roles and teams.
Many-to-many connections export as multi-category fields, so they need flattening and association import.
Custom categories have no standard pipeline.
Commence forms and processing actions have no HubSpot equivalent.
Audit connection export coverage with test exports and keep unique source IDs for the HubSpot association import.
Prefer CSV and validate encoding and memo fields.
Export each history category and reconcile counts.
Confirm the deployment type and Database API access early.
Data governance and compliance
Decide what is allowed to move before anything is exported. Tick each gate once it is agreed.
How we researched this page
How much to trust each section, and where it comes from.
Vendor KB confirms template-based file export and the feature list mentions a Database API. Object mapping, auth, limits and any HubSpot connector are not documented in what I found, so those parts rest on category-level knowledge.
Sources
Related migrations
Frequently asked questions
How do I migrate Commence CRM to HubSpot?
1. Inventory Commence categories, custom fields and connections. 2. Confirm the Commence RM version and the export template options. 3. Decide the HubSpot owner, pipeline and stage mapping. 4. Add a source ID field to each category for association matching.
What data can move from Commence CRM to HubSpot?
These objects move directly: Contacts (Person category) and Accounts/Companies (Company category). Check the mapping table for partial and manual items.
What does not move from Commence CRM to HubSpot?
Automation (event triggers, processing actions), Reports and report layouts and User permissions and security profiles. Plan to rebuild or retire these.
How long does a Commence CRM to HubSpot migration take?
Small (<10k records, few categories): 2-4 weeks. Mid (10k-100k records, custom categories): 4-8 weeks. Large (>100k records, heavy history and automation): 8-16 weeks. These are planning estimates, not a quote.
What access do I need to export from Commence CRM?
Commence user login with export rights on the database; no cloud API credentials confirmed.
What compliance issues apply when moving Commence CRM data?
Check: Check for health, financial or minors' data in custom fields. Agree consent, retention and access rules before exporting.
Moving Commence CRM into HubSpot?
A network of 153+ tiered HubSpot partners and 1,800+ accounts of experience. Tell us what you are moving and which hub matters most.
Talk to a partner