How to Migrate from Nitrogen to Investipal: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Migrating from Nitrogen (Riskalyze) to Investipal takes 2-4 weeks and costs $0 in migration fees. Here’s exactly how to do it.

If you’re a financial advisor using Nitrogen (formerly Riskalyze) and considering a platform switch to Investipal, you probably have questions: How long will migration take? Will I lose client data? Can I recreate my investment models? What about my proposals and IPS templates?

The short answer: Most RIAs complete the Nitrogen-to-Investipal migration in 2-4 weeks with zero disruption to clients and no additional migration costs. This comprehensive guide walks through every step of the wealth management software migration process, from initial planning through go-live, with practical steps, timelines, and solutions to common challenges.

Note: Nitrogen was formerly known as Riskalyze until its 2021 rebrand. This migration guide applies whether you know the platform as Nitrogen or Riskalyze - they are the same product.

Table of Contents

• Why Advisors Migrate from Nitrogen
• Migration Overview: What to Expect
• Pre-Migration Planning (Week 1)
• Data Export from Nitrogen
• Importing Client Risk Scores
• Recreating Investment Models
• Migrating Proposals and Documentation
• Parallel Testing (Week 2-3)
• Team Training and Go-Live
• Managed Migration Support
• FAQ

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How Long Does Nitrogen/Riskalyze Migration Take?

Most firms complete migration from Nitrogen (Riskalyze) to Investipal in 2-4 weeks:

• Week 1: Data export from Nitrogen/Riskalyze and planning
• Week 2-3: Model recreation and parallel testing
• Week 4: Team training and go-live

Small firms (1-2 advisors) can complete the RIA platform switch in as little as 2 weeks.

How Much Does It Cost to Migrate from Nitrogen?

Migration from Nitrogen (Riskalyze) to Investipal is complimentary with your subscription. There are no additional fees for:

• Data import and client risk score migration
• Investment model recreation
• Proposal and IPS template setup
• Training and support

Jump to full migration timeline →

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Why Advisors Migrate from Nitrogen

Before diving into the how, it’s worth understanding why firms make the switch. Based on conversations with advisors who’ve migrated, the most common drivers include:

1. Tool Consolidation Nitrogen (Riskalyze) excels at risk assessment and proposals, but most firms still need separate tools for statement aggregation, IPS generation, client onboarding and e-signature, and portfolio management. According to industry research, the average RIA uses 5-7 separate software platforms. Investipal consolidates these workflows into one platform - including a client portal for digital onboarding, e-signature, and advisory agreement execution - enabling true advisor tech stack consolidation and reducing software costs and context switching.

2. Statement Scanning Limitations Nitrogen’s (Riskalyze’s) statement scanning supports major custodians but struggles with smaller brokerages, international accounts, or complex formats. Advisors working with prospects who have held-away assets often spend hours manually re-keying data. Investipal’s AI-powered statement scanner handles 50+ brokerage formats, including complex multi-page statements.

3. Compliance Workflow Gaps Creating IPS documentation in Nitrogen (Riskalyze) requires separate workflows and re-entering client data. Investipal generates proposals and IPS from the same data source in one unified workflow.

4. Alternative Investment Support Advisors serving high-net-worth clients with private equity, real estate, structured products, or annuities find Nitrogen’s (Riskalyze’s) portfolio modeling limited. Investipal includes a custom security builder for modeling alternatives within the same optimization engine, plus a comprehensive annuity and IUL modeling tool for advisors working with insurance products.

If you’re evaluating whether to migrate, see our detailed Investipal vs Nitrogen comparison for a complete feature breakdown.

Migration Overview: What to Expect

Typical Timeline for Nitrogen (Riskalyze) Migration: 2-4 weeks from kickoff to go-live

Key Phases:

1. Planning & Data Export (Week 1): Inventory your Nitrogen setup, export data, plan migration approach
2. Model & Template Recreation (Week 1-2): Rebuild investment models, proposal templates, and IPS formats in Investipal
3. Parallel Testing (Week 2-3): Run 3-5 test cases through both systems to validate accuracy
4. Team Training (Week 3-4): Train advisors and operations staff on Investipal workflows
5. Go-Live (Week 4): Cutover to Investipal for all new client engagements

Resource Requirements:

• Decision maker time: 2-4 hours (planning, approval, go-live decision)
• Operations lead time: 10-15 hours (data export, model recreation, testing)
• Advisor training time: 2-3 hours per advisor (initial training + practice workflows)

With Managed Migration: Investipal’s team handles model recreation and documentation setup, reducing your internal time investment by 60-70%.

Pre-Migration Planning (Week 1)

Step 1: Inventory Your Current Nitrogen Setup

Before exporting any data, document what you’re currently using:

Client Data:

• Number of active client households in Nitrogen
• Number of prospects with saved risk assessments
• Custom client segments or tags

Investment Models:

• List of investment models (conservative, moderate, aggressive, etc.)
• Asset allocation templates
• Custom risk ranges for each model
• Benchmark selections

Proposal Templates:

• Branded proposal layouts
• Standard disclosures and footnotes
• IPS templates (if using Nitrogen’s IPS module)
• Any custom reporting formats

Integrations:

• CRM integrations (Redtail, Salesforce, Wealthbox)
• Custodian connections
• Data feeds from portfolio accounting systems

Tip: Create a simple spreadsheet listing all models, templates, and integrations. This becomes your migration checklist.

Step 2: Identify Your Migration Approach

Option A: Self-Service Migration You handle data export, model recreation, and setup. Investipal provides documentation, video tutorials, and support via email/chat. Best for smaller firms (1-3 advisors) with straightforward setups.

Option B: Managed Migration (Recommended) Investipal’s team manages the technical migration. You provide sample proposals, IPS documents, and model specifications. We recreate everything in Investipal and hand it back to you ready to use. Best for firms with 4+ advisors, complex models, or limited internal tech resources.

Step 3: Set Your Go-Live Date

Choose a realistic timeline based on firm size:

• 1-2 advisors: 2 weeks
• 3-5 advisors: 3 weeks
• 6+ advisors or complex setups: 4 weeks

Avoid go-live during high-volume periods (tax season, year-end planning, etc.). Ideal times: early Q1, late Q2, or early Q4.

Data Export from Nitrogen (Riskalyze)

Nitrogen (formerly Riskalyze) allows you to export client data, risk assessments, and portfolio information. Here’s what you’ll need:

Exporting Client Risk Scores from Nitrogen

Step 1: Log into Nitrogen and navigate to your client list

Step 2: Export client data to CSV

• Go to Clients → Export
• Select fields: Client Name, Email, Risk Number, Date of Last Assessment
• Download CSV file

Step 3: Clean the data

• Remove any test accounts or inactive clients
• Ensure email addresses are formatted correctly (required for Investipal import)
• Verify Risk Numbers are within expected ranges (1-99)

Sample CSV format:

Client Name, Email, Risk Number, Assessment Date
John Smith, jsmith@email.com, 65, 2025-10-15
Jane Doe, jdoe@email.com, 42, 2025-09-22

Exporting Investment Models from Nitrogen/Riskalyze

Nitrogen’s (Riskalyze’s) models contain asset allocations, risk parameters, and benchmarks. You’ll need:

For each model:

• Model name
• Target asset allocation (% stocks, bonds, alternatives, cash)
• Risk Number range
• Expected return and standard deviation assumptions
• Benchmark index selection
• Underlying funds or securities

How to export:

1. Navigate to Proposals → Models
2. Screenshot or document each model’s allocation
3. Export holdings lists for each model if available
4. Note any custom risk assumptions or constraints

Alternatively: Nitrogen support can provide a bulk export of model data upon request. Contact them directly for assistance.

Exporting Sample Proposals and IPS Documents

To recreate your branded templates in Investipal, you’ll need examples of your current output:

Collect 2-3 sample proposals:

• Different risk profiles (conservative, moderate, aggressive)
• Different client scenarios (retiree, accumulator, high-net-worth)
• Note branding elements: logo placement, color scheme, disclosures

Collect sample IPS documents:

• Standard IPS templates for each client type
• Custom language or disclosures specific to your firm
• Compliance review notes or required sections

Save as PDFs: Investipal’s team will use these to replicate your format and language during managed migration.

Importing Client Risk Scores

Investipal supports bulk import of client risk assessment data via CSV upload. This eliminates the need to re-assess every client manually.

Bulk Import Process

Step 1: Prepare your CSV file

Your exported Nitrogen data needs to map to Investipal’s import format:

Client Name, Email, Risk Score, Assessment Date

Field mapping:

• Nitrogen Risk Number → Investipal Risk Score (1-100 scale)
• Assessment Date → Used for record-keeping and compliance

Step 2: Upload to Investipal

1. Navigate to Clients → Import
2. Select “Risk Assessment Import”
3. Upload your CSV file
4. Map columns to Investipal fields
5. Review preview and confirm import

Step 3: Validate imported data

Investipal will flag any issues:

• Missing required fields (email, risk score)
• Out-of-range risk scores
• Duplicate client records

Review flagged items and make corrections before finalizing import.

Result: All client risk assessments are now in Investipal, preserving historical data and eliminating re-assessment work.

How Risk Scores Transfer to Investipal

Nitrogen (Riskalyze) uses a 1-99 Risk Number scale. Investipal offers two ways to define client risk:

1. Use Investipal’s risk assessment - A comprehensive questionnaire that evaluates behavioral tolerance, risk capacity, and portfolio characteristics
2. Manually define a risk score - Directly input a risk number for the client

During migration, your Nitrogen/Riskalyze Risk Numbers are imported as manually defined scores in Investipal. This means:

• The risk number transfers exactly as-is (no recalculation needed)
• Clients don’t need to retake any risk assessments
• The score remains in place until you choose to update it using Investipal’s assessment tool

Why this matters: Zero disruption to clients. Their risk profile stays exactly the same until you decide to leverage Investipal’s more comprehensive risk assessment for future updates or reviews.

Recreating Investment Models

Your investment models are the heart of your advisory process. The good news: recreating them in Investipal is simpler than you might think.

What Investipal Needs to Recreate Your Models

All we need is your holdings list. That’s it.

For each model, provide:

• List of holdings with target allocations
  • Ticker symbols or fund names
  • Target percentage for each holding

You’ll name the models whatever you like when setting them up in Investipal (e.g., “Conservative Growth,” “Moderate Balanced,” etc.). The holdings are what matter.

Example format:

Conservative Growth Model:
- VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index): 35%
- VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond): 50%
- VTMGX (Vanguard Developed Markets): 10%
- Cash: 5%

What about alternatives and annuities? If your models include alternative investments or insurance products that Nitrogen couldn’t model properly, you can include those too. Investipal’s custom security builder and annuity modeling capabilities mean you can finally incorporate these holdings into your models alongside traditional securities.

Optional: Historical Performance Data If you want to recreate exact historical performance for backtesting or client reporting, you can provide:

• Historical trade files
• Performance data from Nitrogen
• Returns by time period

This is optional but helpful if clients are used to seeing specific performance history.

Self-Service Model Recreation

Step 1: Navigate to Models → Create New Model

Step 2: Enter model name and holdings list

• Input each ticker/fund
• Set target allocation percentages
• Investipal automatically calculates asset class breakdowns

Step 3: Save and test

• Generate a test proposal to verify the model works as expected

Time per model: 5-10 minutes for most models.

Managed Migration: Model Recreation by Investipal

With managed migration, you simply provide your holdings lists and we handle the rest.

What you provide:

• Holdings with target allocations for each model (spreadsheet or export from Nitrogen)
• Optional: Historical performance data if you want to preserve it

You can provide model names if it helps keep track, but it’s not required - you’ll name them in Investipal as you set them up.

What Investipal delivers:

• Fully configured models ready to use
• Side-by-side comparison showing Nitrogen vs. Investipal to verify accuracy
• Test proposals demonstrating output

Timeline: 2-3 business days for most firms. Even complex setups with 10+ models typically complete within 5 business days.

Cost: Complimentary with your Investipal subscription.

Migrating Proposals and Documentation

Your proposal format is part of your brand. Investipal’s proposal builder is highly customizable to match your current Nitrogen output.

Proposal Template Migration

Investipal’s template builder makes it easy to recreate your Nitrogen proposal format yourself. The drag-and-drop interface lets you configure:

• Logo and firm branding
• Color schemes and fonts
• Section layout (executive summary, risk analysis, allocation, holdings, disclosures)
• Custom disclosures and footnotes
• Specific language and formatting

Self-Service Approach:

1. Navigate to Settings → Proposal Templates
2. Use the visual template builder to configure sections
3. Upload your logo and set brand colors
4. Add your custom disclosures
5. Preview with sample client data
6. Save and use across all proposals

Time to recreate: 20-30 minutes for most firms.

Need assistance? While the template builder is designed to be intuitive, our team is happy to help recreate your templates if you prefer. We can match your current format or help enhance it with improved visualizations while maintaining your brand identity.

IPS Template Migration

Investipal’s automated IPS generation creates Investment Policy Statements from the same data used for proposals.

The template builder approach:

Like proposals, you can easily recreate your IPS template using Investipal’s IPS template builder:

1. Navigate to Settings → IPS Templates
2. Configure standard sections (objectives, constraints, allocation policy, rebalancing, etc.)
3. Add your firm-specific language and compliance-approved disclosures
4. Set formatting preferences
5. Test with sample client data

Time to recreate: 20-30 minutes.

Need assistance? Our team can help configure your IPS templates to match your current format and ensure all compliance requirements are met. Just provide 2-3 sample IPS documents and we’ll assist with setup.

Result: IPS documents are now auto-generated alongside proposals from the same data source, eliminating the separate workflow required in Nitrogen. No re-entering client information or investment parameters.

Parallel Testing (Week 2-3)

Before cutting over completely, run parallel workflows in both Nitrogen (Riskalyze) and Investipal to validate accuracy and build confidence.

Testing Protocol

Select 3-5 test cases representing different scenarios:

1. Conservative retiree with simple portfolio (bonds, dividend stocks)
2. Moderate accumulator with standard 60/40 allocation
3. Aggressive growth with higher equity exposure
4. Complex portfolio with alternatives or concentrated positions
5. Existing client for whom you have a recent Nitrogen proposal

For each test case:

Step 1: Create proposal in both Nitrogen and Investipal

Step 2: Compare outputs side-by-side

• Asset allocation percentages
• Risk scores and projections
• Fee calculations
• Expected returns and standard deviation
• Holdings list and position sizes

Step 3: Document any discrepancies

• Are differences due to different optimization algorithms?
• Are risk assumptions equivalent?
• Do both meet client objectives?

Step 4: Generate IPS in both systems (if using Nitrogen IPS)

• Compare structure and content
• Validate all client data populated correctly

Step 5: Time the workflow

• How long does each system take from statement upload to final proposal?
• Are there steps that are faster/slower in each platform?

Validation Checklist

Use this checklist for each test case:

☐ Client risk assessment matches or is within acceptable range
☐ Proposed portfolio allocation aligns with model specifications
☐ Holdings list is accurate and implementable
☐ Risk/return projections are reasonable
☐ Fees calculated correctly
☐ Proposal formatting meets brand standards
☐ IPS generated with accurate client data
☐ Workflow completed in acceptable timeframe
☐ Advisor comfortable with Investipal process

Goal: 95%+ match on quantitative metrics (allocations, risk scores, fees). Some variation in projections is expected due to different methodologies.

Team Training and Go-Live

Training Schedule

Investipal provides training tailored to different roles:

Operations/Admin Staff (2-3 hours):

• Client data management and imports
• Statement scanning and portfolio ingestion
• Model configuration and updates
• Compliance documentation workflows
• Integration setup (CRM, custodians)

Advisors (2 hours):

• Client intake and risk assessment
• Proposal generation workflow
• Portfolio construction and optimization
• Client presentation features
• Ongoing portfolio management

Compliance Officer (1 hour):

• IPS compliance features
• Audit trail and documentation
• Regulatory reporting
• Data security and privacy

Training formats:

• Live virtual sessions (preferred for initial training)
• On-demand video library
• Written documentation and workflow guides
• Office hours for Q&A

Soft Launch (Week 3)

Before full go-live, conduct a soft launch:

Step 1: Select 2-3 new prospects for first live Investipal workflows

Step 2: Run complete workflows end-to-end

• Statement scanning
• Risk assessment
• Proposal generation
• IPS documentation
• Client presentation

Step 3: Debrief after each case

• What went smoothly?
• What took longer than expected?
• Any workflow adjustments needed?

Step 4: Make final configuration tweaks

Go-Live Decision

Schedule a go-live decision meeting with key stakeholders:

Attendees:

• Managing partner or firm owner
• Operations lead
• Lead advisor(s)
• Compliance officer (if applicable)

Agenda:

1. Review parallel testing results
2. Review soft launch cases
3. Address any remaining concerns
4. Confirm training completion
5. Set cutover date

Go-live criteria:

• ✅ All models recreated and validated
• ✅ All proposal templates approved
• ✅ Team training completed
• ✅ 3+ successful test cases
• ✅ Compliance approval (if required)
• ✅ Client-facing materials updated

Cutover plan:

• All new client engagements use Investipal
• Existing Nitrogen clients migrate as proposals are updated
• Keep Nitrogen access for 30-60 days for reference/historical data

Managed Migration Support

Investipal offers white-glove migration services to minimize your team’s time investment and ensure a smooth transition.

What’s Included in Managed Migration

1. Dedicated Migration Specialist A single point of contact guides you through the entire process, coordinates with your team, and manages timeline.

2. Model Recreation Provide your Nitrogen model specifications, and Investipal’s team recreates them in the platform with full documentation.

3. Template Design Send sample Nitrogen proposals and IPS documents. Investipal’s design team replicates your branding and format.

4. Bulk Data Import We handle the technical details of importing client risk scores, ensuring data accuracy and validation.

5. Integration Setup If you’re using CRM or custodian integrations, we configure and test connections.

6. Custom Training Sessions Scheduled training tailored to your firm’s specific workflows and use cases.

7. Post-Launch Support 30 days of enhanced support after go-live, including priority response times and dedicated office hours.

Managed Migration Timeline

Week 1:

• Kickoff call with migration specialist
• You export data from Nitrogen and provide sample documents
• Migration specialist audits your setup and creates migration plan

Week 2:

• Investipal team recreates models and templates
• You review and approve configurations
• Bulk data import completed

Week 3:

• Custom training sessions scheduled
• Parallel testing conducted
• Final adjustments made

Week 4:

• Soft launch with 2-3 clients
• Go-live decision meeting
• Cutover to Investipal

Cost: Migration services are complimentary with your Investipal subscription. No additional fees.

Why Managed Migration is Worth It

Time savings:

• DIY migration: 15-20 hours of internal time
• Managed migration: 3-5 hours of internal time
• Savings: 10-15 hours of billable advisor/operations time

Accuracy: Investipal’s migration team has completed 100+ platform migrations. They know common pitfalls and ensure models and templates are configured correctly the first time.

Faster time to value: Managed migration cuts go-live time by 30-40%, getting you to productivity faster.

Risk reduction: Professional migration reduces the risk of data errors, configuration mistakes, or workflow gaps that could impact client service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Isn’t Nitrogen the same as Riskalyze?

Yes. Riskalyze rebranded to Nitrogen in 2021. This migration guide applies to both the Nitrogen and Riskalyze platforms - they are the same product with the same underlying technology. If you’re searching for “how to migrate from Riskalyze to Investipal,” you’re in the right place. All instructions, data export processes, and migration steps are identical whether you know the platform as Nitrogen or Riskalyze.

How long does migration take?

Typical timeline is 2-4 weeks from kickoff to go-live for migrating from Nitrogen (Riskalyze). Smaller firms (1-2 advisors) can often complete in 2 weeks. Larger firms or those with complex setups should plan for 4 weeks.

Will I lose any client data?

No. All client risk assessments, portfolio data, and historical information can be migrated from Nitrogen (Riskalyze). With proper export and import procedures, no data is lost.

Do clients need to retake risk assessments?

No. Nitrogen/Riskalyze Risk Numbers are imported into Investipal as manually defined risk scores. The number stays exactly the same until you decide to update it. Clients won’t need to retake questionnaires unless you want to use Investipal’s comprehensive risk assessment for future reviews or updates.

Can I keep Nitrogen during transition?

Yes. Most firms maintain Nitrogen (Riskalyze) access for 30-60 days post-launch for reference and to ensure smooth financial planning software transition. There’s no requirement to cancel immediately.

What if my investment models don’t perform identically in Investipal?

Minor variations in portfolio optimization are normal due to different algorithms. During parallel testing, validate that outputs meet client objectives and compliance requirements. Investipal’s team can adjust optimization parameters to closely match Nitrogen behavior if needed.

How do I handle existing clients with active Nitrogen proposals?

Two approaches:

1. Honor existing Nitrogen proposals for clients in process. Use Investipal only for new engagements.
2. Recreate key proposals in Investipal before go-live to ensure continuity if clients have questions.

Most firms use approach #1 for simplicity.

What about CRM integrations?

Investipal integrates with major advisor CRMs including Redtail, Salesforce, and Wealthbox. If you’re using Nitrogen’s CRM integration, Investipal’s integration setup replicates this functionality.

Can I migrate proposals mid-client lifecycle?

Yes. For clients with existing Nitrogen (Riskalyze) proposals who need updates, you can recreate their portfolio in Investipal using statement scanning. The updated proposal can be generated in Investipal format.

What if I need help after go-live?

Investipal provides ongoing support via:

• Email and chat support during business hours
• Video library and documentation
• Monthly office hours for Q&A
• Dedicated account manager for larger firms

Managed migration includes 30 days of enhanced post-launch support with priority response times.

Is there a cost to migrate?

No. Migration services are complimentary with your Investipal subscription, whether you choose self-service or managed migration. There are no additional fees for data import, model recreation, or template setup assistance.

What if we decide Investipal isn’t the right fit?

Investipal offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you migrate and determine the platform doesn’t meet your needs, you can return to Nitrogen with a full refund (terms apply based on subscription agreement).

Can I export data from Investipal if I later decide to switch platforms?

Yes. Investipal supports data export in standard formats (CSV, JSON) for client data, portfolios, and assessments. You own your data and can export it at any time.

Ready to Start Your Migration?

Migrating from Nitrogen (Riskalyze) to Investipal is more straightforward than most RIA platform switches. With clear planning, proper data export, and Investipal’s complimentary managed migration support, you can transition to a more comprehensive, unified wealthtech platform in 2-4 weeks.

Next steps:

1. Book a migration consultation - Schedule a 30-minute call to discuss your specific setup and migration needs
2. Review the Investipal vs Nitrogen comparison to understand platform differences
3. Prepare your Nitrogen data using the checklists in this guide
4. Choose managed or self-service migration based on your firm size and resources

Most advisors report that the temporary investment in migration pays for itself within 60-90 days through time savings from consolidated workflows, automated statement scanning, and unified compliance documentation.

The best time to migrate is before you feel overwhelmed by your current tool stack. According to industry surveys, advisors spend an average of 23% of their time on administrative tasks that could be automated. If you’re spending more time switching between platforms than serving clients, it’s time to explore a better way.

Questions about migrating from Nitrogen (Riskalyze) to Investipal? Contact our migration team or schedule a demo to see the platform in action.

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Migration services and timelines referenced in this guide are based on typical implementations as of November 2025. Specific timelines may vary based on firm size, complexity, and customization requirements. Contact Investipal for a custom migration plan for your firm.