ConnectWise

ConnectWise is an American software company that builds the business and technical operating platform used by managed service providers (MSPs), IT solution providers and technology solution providers. Its product family spans professional services automation (PSA), remote monitoring and management (RMM), remote access, documentation, quoting and procurement, unified monitoring, and cybersecurity, sold mostly on subscription to small and mid-sized IT service businesses that resell and manage technology for other companies. The company was founded in 1982 by brothers Arnie Bellini and David Bellini in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, originally as a consulting and network services business before it turned its internal service-desk tooling into commercial software. Its flagship ConnectWise Manage PSA and ConnectWise Automate RMM products became standard tools in the MSP channel, and the company expanded through acquisitions — including LabTech Software (RMM), Quosal (quoting), ScreenConnect (remote access, later ConnectWise Control), Continuum (later ConnectWise Command), and later Perch Security, StratoZen, and other security assets — to build an integrated suite. In 2019 private equity firm Thoma Bravo acquired ConnectWise, and in 2020 ConnectWise merged with Continuum and ITBoost under Thoma Bravo ownership to create a broader MSP platform business. The company has since emphasized cybersecurity (ConnectWise SIEM, RocketCyber, and managed security offerings), cloud and as-a-service models, and its partner ecosystem and marketplace. It competes with other MSP-focused platforms such as Kaseya, Datto, N-able and NinjaOne. ConnectWise is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and sells primarily in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia-Pacific through direct sales and channel partners. It remains privately held under Thoma Bravo ownership and is a prominent vendor brand within the global MSP software market.

ConnectWise began in 1982 as a technology consulting and network services firm founded by brothers Arnie Bellini and David Bellini in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. Working with small businesses, the founders built internal tools to run their own service desk and remote support operations, and eventually packaged that software for other IT service providers. The company's professional services automation (PSA) product, later branded ConnectWise Manage, became its core offering and helped define the category of business-management software for managed service providers. ConnectWise expanded its footprint in the MSP channel through a series of acquisitions. It acquired LabTech Software, a remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform, which became ConnectWise Automate; Quosal, a quoting and proposal tool, which became ConnectWise CPQ/Sell; and ScreenConnect, a remote access product, which became ConnectWise Control. In 2019 private equity firm Thoma Bravo acquired ConnectWise, taking the company private. In 2020 ConnectWise combined with Continuum and ITBoost under Thoma Bravo ownership, adding remote monitoring, network operations center services and documentation capabilities to the platform. Through the 2020s the company sharpened its focus on cybersecurity, adding assets such as Perch Security and StratoZen (which fed into ConnectWise SIEM) and RocketCyber for managed detection and response, and it promoted as-a-service and cloud delivery models alongside its traditional on-premises products. ConnectWise also invested in its partner ecosystem, marketplace and community events, positioning itself as an all-in-one platform for MSPs. It competes with Kaseya, Datto, N-able, NinjaOne and other vendors serving the same channel, and remains privately held under Thoma Bravo.

• 2020

  Merged with Continuum and ITBoost under Thoma Bravo ownership.

• 2019

  Acquired by private equity firm Thoma Bravo and taken private.

• 1982

  Founded by Arnie and David Bellini as a technology consulting firm in the Tampa Bay area, Florida.

An integrated software platform for managed service providers, combining business management, remote monitoring and cybersecurity in one partner ecosystem.

• ConnectWise PSA

  Professional services automation for ticketing, billing, projects and service delivery.

• ConnectWise Automate

  Remote monitoring and management platform for endpoints and servers.

• ConnectWise Control

  Remote access and support software, formerly ScreenConnect.

• ConnectWise SIEM

  Security information and event management offering for MSPs.

• 2026

  ConnectWise Cloud Backup cyberattack reported

  Microsoft reported that hackers tied to the Chinese state breached ConnectWise. ConnectWise CEO Manny Rivelo said the analysis and evidence reviewed by the company pointed to a China state-aligned group as the likely culprit behind the ConnectWise Cloud Backup attack. The statements attributed the breach to hackers linked to the Chinese state and identified a China state-aligned group as the likely actor behind the attack on ConnectWise Cloud Backup.

  Source 1Source 2

Read more

1. 1ConnectWise official websiteconnectwise.com
2. 2ConnectWise Cloud Backup cyberattack reporteden.shafaqna.com
3. 3ConnectWise Cloud Backup cyberattack reportedchannelbuzz.ca
4. 4Chinese hackers spied on thousands of companies after breaching IT giant ConnectWisetechcrunch.com
5. 5ConnectWise Acquires Perch Security and StratoZen - PCRpcr-online.biz
6. 6ConnectWise acquires Service Leadership, Inc. - PCRpcr-online.biz
7. 7ConnectWise acquires Smileback and sees platform integration | iTWireitwire.com
8. 8ConnectWise Acquires SmileBack To Help MSPs Gain Customer Feedback | CRNcrn.com
9. 9ConnectWise CTO On Cloud Backup Cyberattack, M365 Update And Helping Thousands Of Partnerscrn.com
10. 10ConnectWise Launches Virtual Community To Boost Partner Engagement | CRNcrn.com
11. 11Exclaimer launches MSP Connect for managed service providersitbrief.co.nz