
// Recruitment Technology
Why More Recruiters Are Migrating from Clockwork to Atlas (and Seeing Big Results)
11/07/2025
9 MIN
Clockwork has long been a trusted tool for executive search firms, offering a structured way to manage assignments and track candidates. But as the recruitment landscape evolves, agencies are under increasing pressure to move faster, deliver deeper insights, and provide a more proactive service to clients.
Sticking with traditional systems can quickly become a barrier to growth. Enter Atlas: a modern, AI-powered recruitment software designed to help agencies not just manage searches, but truly excel.
If you’re considering migrating from Clockwork, you’re already one step closer to transforming how your team sources, matches, and places top talent — and staying ahead of others on the market.
Why are recruiters rethinking Clockwork?
As a legacy system, Clockwork has supported executive search firms for years, helping manage assignments and track candidate relationships. But as the recruitment landscape evolves, many agencies are starting to move to more modern AI recruitment software.
Here’s why:
- Clients expect more than a shortlist
They want real-time market insights, transparent updates, and data-driven recommendations that build trust and demonstrate expertise. - Top talent moves fast
The best candidates won’t wait around for weeks while manual processes drag on. Agencies need software that helps them engage and place candidates quickly. - Manual workflows slow growth
Traditional legacy systems like Clockwork rely on static data and require heavy admin work, limiting recruiters’ capacity to focus on high-value activities. - Limited automation holds agencies back
Without AI-driven support, identifying hidden talent and prioritising the right candidates becomes far more time-consuming. - Agencies need to stand out
Providing deeper insights and more strategic support positions your agency as a partner, not just a transactional service provider.
Moving beyond Clockwork as your recruiting CRM isn’t just about changing software; it’s about transforming how your agency delivers value and scales operations in smart and sustainable ways.
How does Atlas give you a competitive edge over Clockwork?
Atlas is designed to go far beyond traditional executive search tools like Clockwork, equipping your agency with advanced technology to help you work smarter, faster, and more strategically.
Here are several reasons Atlas stands out:
- AI-powered sourcing
Move beyond passive candidate databases. Atlas actively identifies and recommends top talent, including hidden or passive candidates you might otherwise miss, helping you build stronger shortlists in less time. - Smart candidate matching
Atlas analyses your open roles and automatically suggests the most suitable candidates from your database, saving your recruiters countless hours of manual screening. - Executive search reports
Impress clients with data-rich, transparent reports on market trends, search progress, and candidate pipelines — completely reinforcing your agency as a true strategic partner. - AI agents for admin automation
Atlas automates repetitive tasks such as scheduling interviews, updating statuses, auto-creating tasks, and sending reminders, freeing up your team to focus on building relationships and closing deals. - Future-ready technology
Built on AI and automation, Atlas ensures your agency stays ahead of market trends, adapts to client demands quickly, and positions itself for long-term growth.
Choosing Atlas over Clockwork isn’t just a formal upgrade to a new system. It’s a move to help your agency deliver more value and gain a clear edge over the competition. Start here >>
What does the data migration process from Clockwork to Atlas look like?
The idea of migrating from the Clockwork recruiting CRM to a new platform might feel overwhelming at first glance. But with Atlas, different processes are carefully managed to ensure a smooth, secure, and stress-free transition.
Here’s what to expect:
Planning and data migration audit
Atlas’s migration team works with you to understand your current setup, audit your data, and map out a detailed data migration plan tailored to your agency’s needs.
Custom data mapping and clean-up
Your data is carefully mapped to fit Atlas’s structure. This stage is also an ideal opportunity to clean up outdated processes and records from the system, merge duplicates, and ensure you’re starting fresh with high-quality data.
Secure transfer and testing
Complete data is transferred securely and set up so you can review and test everything before going live. This helps catch any inconsistencies and gives your team a chance to get familiar with Atlas in a safe space without affecting real projects.
Final verification and training
You’ll have time to verify that all data has transferred accurately. Meanwhile, your team receives tailored training sessions to ensure they feel confident and ready to hit the ground running.
Go-live with ongoing support
Once everything is approved, you switch fully to Atlas with minimal or no downtime. The Atlas team remains on hand for post-launch support to address any questions and help your recruiters settle in quickly.
With this structured approach, migrating from Clockwork to Atlas becomes less of a headache and more of an exciting first step towards a workflow built on future-proof processes.
What results do recruiters see after moving to Atlas?
After making the complete switch from Clockwork to Atlas, recruiters often see transformative results that go far beyond simple operational improvements.
- Faster placements and increased revenue
With AI-powered sourcing and smart matching, recruiters spend less time searching and screening and more time engaging candidates and closing roles. This means faster time-to-placement and a direct boost to revenue. - Stronger client relationships
Executive search reports and transparent market insights position your agency as a trusted strategic partner. Clients gain confidence in your process and are more likely to return for future searches or recommend you to others. - Higher productivity and morale among recruiters
By eliminating tedious admin tasks through AI automation, Atlas frees recruiters to focus on high-value activities. This not only increases productivity but also keeps your team engaged and motivated. - Better data quality and decision-making
Clean, structured, and enriched data in Atlas makes it easier to identify trends, optimise workflows, and plan strategically. Agencies gain clearer visibility over pipelines and overall performance, leading to smarter business decisions. - Future-ready positioning
Adopting AI-driven ATS solutions signals to both clients and candidates that your agency is capable of innovation. This helps you stand out in a crowded market and attract top-tier talent and clients alike.
In short, migrating to Atlas is about empowering your recruiters to perform at their best, accelerate growth, and build stronger, lasting client partnerships. Try Atlas today >>
How can you prepare your agency for a successful migration?
While Atlas makes the data migration process smooth and secure, proper preparation on your side ensures everything goes as seamlessly as possible. Here’s what you can do to set your team up for success:
Involve your recruiters early
Explain why you’re making the switch and highlight how Atlas will improve their daily work. Early buy-in helps reduce resistance and boosts excitement about the new system.
Clean and organise your data
Take time to review existing processes and records, remove outdated entries, and merge duplicates. Starting with clean, accurate data makes the transition smoother and maximises the benefits of Atlas’s AI features.
Choose the right timing
Plan your migration for a period when the team isn’t overwhelmed with high-volume campaigns or critical deadlines. This reduces stress and allows for a smoother adjustment without occasional errors popping up.
Proactively communicate with executive search clients
Let key clients know that you’re investing in migration and moving to a more advanced platform to deliver even better service. Positioning the migration as a value-add strengthens client trust and demonstrates your commitment to improving your processes for their benefit.
Allocate time for your new recruiting CRM training
Although Atlas is intuitive, dedicating time for team training ensures everyone feels confident using new features from day one. Atlas provides comprehensive onboarding and live support to make this as easy as possible.
With the right preparation, migrating to Atlas can feel less like a disruption and more like an exciting step forward for your agency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on migrating from Clockwork to Atlas – the Recruitment Platform
No. Atlas’s dedicated migration team ensures all your data is securely transferred and thoroughly tested before going live. Every record — from candidate details to assignment notes — is carefully mapped and verified, so nothing gets left behind.
While timelines vary depending on data complexity, most agencies complete their migration within a few weeks. Atlas handles most of the heavy lifting behind the scenes, allowing your recruiters to keep working with minimal disruption.
Not at all. Atlas is designed to be intuitive and easy to use. Your team will receive tailored training and onboarding support to help them feel confident and ready to start using the platform effectively from day one.
Atlas goes beyond traditional executive search by combining AI-powered sourcing, smart matching, and automation. It empowers recruiters to focus on building relationships and making placements faster, while positioning your agency for long-term growth and success.
Start your executive search software migration from Clockwork to Atlas – the Recruitment Platform
Switching systems and migrating data can feel intimidating, especially when you’ve relied on a familiar platform like Clockwork for years. But with the right support and a proven framework, migration doesn’t have to be stressful — it can be the beginning of a new, more successful chapter for your agency.
Atlas is among the best applicant tracking systems designed to make this transition as smooth as possible from the ground up. From secure data migration and personalised onboarding to powerful AI features that eliminate admin work and accelerate placements, Atlas helps your recruiters focus on what they do best: building relationships and delivering exceptional results.
If you’re ready to move beyond traditional executive search software and transform how your agency works, now is the perfect time to make the switch. Wondering about the next steps?
Book a demo today, explore Atlas’s features, and discover how it can help you grow your business and future-proof your agency. Let’s talk about your needs. Start here >>