Many organisations are considering moving to Atlassian Cloud since Atlassian announced that they will fully discontinue Server support on February 2, 2024. Server apps will no longer be supported on Marketplace, and organisations won’t be able to publish server app updates or versions.
In this blog, we summarized the most important aspects to consider before making decisions to move to Cloud. We will compare Cloud vs Server when considering performance, maintenance, resources, budget and all other things that would impact the instance.
Pros of Cloud
1. Reduce cost of operation and maintenance
Atlassian Cloud products offer a more affordable option for smaller-scale deployments. Let’s take Jira as an example. A Standard Jira Cloud instance catering to 601-800 users is priced at $43,200. However, the user tiers are not as granular as in the Cloud instance. If you have a user count ranging from 501-2,000, the cost for Jira Server license will amount to $45,700, not to mention the ongoing expenses associated with administration and local infrastructure. Contact us today to explore your customised licensing optimisation options.
In the cloud environment, automatic creation and storage of backups are available, enabling the restoration of data associated with a specific tag. On the other hand, in the Server setup, organisations are responsible for handling data backups themselves, resulting in a higher administration and maintenance effort.
2. Compliance & Centralized Governance
No matter which Cloud products you use, manage all users in one place. With Atlassian Access, you have a central admin console to build a scalable governance plan without stifling agility or collaboration while meeting global compliance requirements with features like data residency.
3. Better Integration
Atlassian Cloud is the way of the future. By moving to the cloud-based platform, teams can experience seamless collaboration and streamlined workflows across multiple tools like Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and Trello, eliminating the need for manual syncing or switching between different software, allowing teams to focus on their tasks and projects. Furthermore, Cloud apps can be integrated and customized accordingly to your business specific need using Atlassian Connect framework or Forge. Looking for Atlassian Developer Guide?
4. Accessible From Any Device with More Intuitive UI
Atlassian Cloud is available for mobile apps for free with no VPN needed. Atlassian mobile app intuitive UI could not only lead to increased user engagement but also provide individuals new to Atlassian products, particularly those outside the IT field, with a simplified UI experience. Users can access and manage their projects, and tasks, and collaborate with team members from their smartphones or tablets. This mobility empowers teams to stay connected and productive even when they are away from their desks or working remotely.
Cons of Cloud
1. Limited Available Third-party Add-ons
Both Cloud and Server provide a vast array of free and paid applications, along with third-party integrations that enhance the capabilities of Atlassian’s products, but the number of Cloud Apps available is comparatively lower than that of Server Apps, such as Bamboo, Fisheye, Crucible are server only. Moreover, the cloud version of a product incorporates features that are achieved through an application on the server platform in some cases. This is because the Cloud-Connect architecture will host add-on data externally. However, for most Atlassian users, Cloud is the way of the future and it’s likely that the most popular apps and features are available on Cloud.
2. Security
Cloud adoption often faces a hurdle: security concerns. It is worthwhile to take a glance at security vulnerability advisories before engaging in counterarguments to find whether there is any relevant security vulnerability that applies to your organization. Otherwise, as of the standard, Atlassian Cloud aligns with GDPR, SOC, ISO, and more. Since Atlassian Cloud is currently in the process of getting FedRAMP approved, customers who are processing government data should consider using Datacenter rather than Cloud. Move from Server to Datacenter Within 1 day.
3. Migration Cost & Hurdles
Migrating to the Cloud could be time-consuming that requires careful coordination. Partnering with an Atlassian certified professional team to oversee the process, optimise your license cost, and in cases where there are complex and delicate workflows involved, Corptec Technology Partners, as a certified Atlassian Gold Partner can help ensure a seamless transition and address any challenges that may arise. Leverage our expertise to enhance the success of your migration.
4. User Limits
Atlassian Cloud has a user limit depending on the specific Atlassian product and plans that organisations are looking for. For example, Jira Cloud provides Free plan for up to 10 users, and Standard and Premium plans for up to 5,000 users. If you are looking to scale Jira beyond 5,000 users while maintaining team-level functionality, it will pose challenges. Corptec Technology Partners provide expertise for configuring and optimising Jira to align with your specific business requirements. Contact us today to see how to get around Confluence licensing issues with its public view-only options.
