Atlassian’s Jira stands as an industry titan in project management and issue tracking. However, Atlassian is discontinuing support for server products on February 15, 2024, and is investing heavily in its cloud products. Customers still using server products must migrate to cloud or data center products by that date to continue receiving support. Atlassian also makes it easier for customers to migrate from server to cloud by providing tools and resources. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of migrating from Jira Server to Jira Cloud, offer step-by-step instructions, and point you to relevant resources.
Top benefits of Jira Cloud
✅ Scalability
Jira Cloud offers the ability to scale your project management tools according to your needs. You no longer need to worry about hardware limitations or server capacity.
✅ Reduced Maintenance
Say goodbye to server maintenance. Jira Cloud takes care of software updates, security, and server management, allowing your team to focus on core tasks.
✅ Enhanced Features
Jira Cloud often gets more new features and improvements than Jira Server. Migrating can give your team access to the latest tools and features.
Now, let’s dive into the migration guide.
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
1️⃣ Prepare for Cloud Migration
Evaluate Your Instance
Before migrating, assess your Jira Server instance. Identify what configurations, add-ons, and customizations you are currently using. Document any workflows, permissions, and settings critical to your team’s workflow.
Check Compatibility
Ensure that your add-ons and customizations are compatible with Jira Cloud. Some older or heavily customized add-ons can not work in the cloud environment. Refer to the Atlassian Marketplace to check compatibility or use Marketplace Reporter to avoid manual marketplace data collection and analysis.
2️⃣ Back up Your Data
Create a full backup of your Jira Server instance to prevent data loss during migration. You can discover Atlassian’s official Jira site import, where these steps are described.
3️⃣ Set Up a Jira Cloud Instance
If you don’t already have a Jira cloud instance, sign up for one. Detailed instructions on how to set up a Jira cloud instance can be found here.
4️⃣ Plan the Migration
Choose a Migration Method
Atlassian offers several methods for migrating from Jira Server to Jira Cloud:
- Cloud Migration Assistant: This tool helps automate the migration process. You can find detailed information on how to use it here.
- Manual Migration: If you have a complex setup or prefer a more controlled approach, you can perform the migration manually by exporting data from your Jira Server and importing it into Jira Cloud. Refer to the Atlassian guide on manually migrating from server to cloud using Jira site import.
Notify Your Team
Inform your team about the upcoming migration. Make sure they are prepared for downtime and any changes to their workflows. Explain the benefits and how to access Jira Cloud.
5️⃣ Perform the Cloud Migration
Depending on the method you chose in step 4, follow the specific migration process described in the links provided. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid data loss or workflow disruptions.
6️⃣ Post-Migration Tasks
- Test the migration. Thoroughly test your Jira Cloud instance to ensure all data, configurations, and settings have been migrated successfully. Make sure that all workflows and permissions are not affected.
- Update DNS and URLs. If you used a custom domain for your Jira server instance, update the DNS settings and URLs to point to the new Jira Cloud instance.
- Train your team. Provide training and support to your team to help them transition smoothly to Jira Cloud. Atlassian offers many training resources.
- Monitor and optimize. Monitor performance and user feedback after the migration. Make any necessary adjustments and optimizations as you adapt to the cloud environment.
Conclusion
Moving from Jira Server to Jira Cloud can be a strategic step for your organization. However, planning and executing it properly is essential to ensure a seamless transition. Following this comprehensive guide and referring to the official Atlassian documentation and resources, you can complete the migration process and get the most out of Jira Cloud.
We hope this article will help you in finding the best alternatives. Migrating from Jira Server to Jira Cloud can be tricky, especially when looking for suitable replacement apps. But that’s not all! If you’re looking for an efficient way to handle migration issues and make data-driven decisions, consider using the Marketplace Reporter tool. It offers historical data analysis, change monitoring, timely email alerts, and customizable dashboards to help you find the perfect app replacement and save valuable time.
Don’t miss out on what Jira Cloud has to offer. Start your migration today and take your project management to the next level. Your journey to enhanced scalability, reduced maintenance, and access to the latest features starts now.