Migrating from Legacy Atlassian Server to Cloud for IT Distribution Company

Objective

To migrate all company data from outdated, unsupported versions of Atlassian Jira Server and Confluence Server to Atlassian Cloud, ensuring rapid data transfer, system compatibility, and improved access for a workforce of over 900 employees. The goal was to eliminate risks associated with unsupported software and enhance collaboration, scalability, and security.

Starting point

The client, a major IT distribution organization, faced limitations with unsupported versions of Jira and Confluence Server. The legacy system hindered operational efficiency, posed security risks, and lacked the flexibility needed for the company’s expanding workforce and hybrid work needs. Migration to Atlassian Cloud was essential to regain support, maintain data integrity, and provide a scalable, accessible platform.

Analysis

Our assessment highlighted several core challenges with the existing setup:

• Unsupported Server Versions: The outdated versions of Jira and Confluence Server were prone to security vulnerabilities and lacked the latest features, posing a risk to operational stability.
• Data Migration Complexity: The vast amount of legacy data required a robust migration plan to prevent data loss and ensure full compatibility with the cloud environment.
• Collaboration and Access: The limited functionality of unsupported servers affected productivity, as employees struggled with access issues, outdated features, and limited remote capabilities.

Solution

To address these challenges, we structured a seamless migration to Atlassian Cloud with the following key steps:

Jira Software Cloud ⁰¹

Migrating to Jira Software Cloud provided centralized project and issue tracking with up-to-date features, ensuring better task management and enhanced collaboration post-migration.

Confluence Cloud ⁰²

Confluence Cloud replaced the outdated knowledge management system, offering teams a modernized, searchable platform for document collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Bitbucket Cloud ⁰³

Bitbucket Cloud: Introduced for version control, Bitbucket Cloud supported secure code collaboration and a centralized repository, improving workflow efficiency for development teams.

/* Our team carried out the data migration in phases to minimize disruption. We used Atlassian’s Cloud Migration Assistants for Jira and Confluence, validating data at each step to ensure integrity and compatibility. Training sessions prepared employees for using the new cloud environment effectively. */

Result

The migration to Atlassian Cloud delivered substantial operational benefits:

• Enhanced Security and Support: Moving to supported versions on the cloud mitigated security risks associated with outdated servers, providing regular updates and industry-compliant security features.

• Scalable, Remote Access: Employees now benefit from secure, scalable access to Jira and Confluence Cloud, supporting both remote and hybrid work models.

• Improved Collaboration: With the latest features in Jira and Confluence, teams reported faster project execution and easier collaboration in a centralized, always-accessible platform.

• Reduced IT Overhead: Eliminating on-premises server maintenance reduced IT resource demands and associated costs, allowing the client to focus on core business objectives.

Further Evolution

/* The successful migration has positioned the client to explore additional Atlassian Cloud solutions, including integrations with customer service and operations tools to enhance service delivery and team alignment across the organization. */

/* This migration from unsupported Atlassian Server versions to Atlassian Cloud has empowered the IT distribution company with a secure, scalable, and collaborative environment, supporting both workforce expansion and enhanced operational efficiency. */