Effective February 15, 2024, Atlassian will end support for Server products. This policy didn't come out of nowhere, as back in 2021, Atlassian stopped selling licenses for Server products. For domestic users, this decision has had a huge impact, with many businesses actively preparing to migrate after hearing the news, while others have taken a wait-and-see attitude.
As an Atlassian Global Platinum Partner, Lonzi launched a series of articles on this topic before the end of the service, and is committed to providing comprehensive support and guidance to users in China.
The end of support date has arrived, and if you haven't taken action yet, you may have the following questions, which we're here to answer for you.
Can I continue to use the server version?
When support is just discontinued, you can theoretically continue to use the Server Edition. However, with increasing security risks, continuing to use server products may expose your business to five major risks:
Unpatched system vulnerabilities expose the business to threats
After February 15, Atlassian will no longer provide patches and updates for Server product security. No patches or updates mean vulnerabilities are not addressed, making it easier for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to your data and systems. And it also places an additional burden on the IT team – diverting their time and energy from supporting the company's strategy instead of regular product management and security, all without Atlassian's support.
Violations of privacy and compliance requirements
Using an unsupported version of a server can lead to serious privacy and compliance issues, especially for highly regulated industries such as healthcare and finance. These industries should take strict measures to protect sensitive data and customer privacy. Unsupported software increases the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited, which increases the likelihood of non-compliance, which can lead to legal consequences and financial penalties.
System downtime and data loss risk
The use of unsupported software can lead to lengthy system downtime, creating a variety of internal and external risks, whether well-intentioned or malicious, that can adversely affect the system, including data loss, data tampering, or even complete system downtime. This downtime not only impacts operational efficiency, but also hinders a seamless support experience for customers.
Lag in security and technology
Using software that is no longer supported is equivalent to losing technical support and security updates. What's more, you'll be missing out on the latest security technology advancements that make your systems more vulnerable to new types of cyber threats.
Risks posed by unsupported plugins
The server version will not be able to purchase new plugins. Even with existing plugins, Lonzi as an Atlassian partner no longer provides technical support, security updates, and bug fixes, so your security risks are greatly increased.
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To sum up, you can continue to use the server product, but your business is likely to fall into a security crisis as a result. So, what are the right options if you want to change your product?
After announcing the end of support for Server, Atlassian shifted its focus to the data center and cloud editions. This means you can choose safer, more advanced solutions that better adapt to your current work environment and increase efficiency.
Should I migrate to on-premises Data Center Edition?
For domestic users, the on-premise data center edition is the most preferred alternative to the server edition. Not only does it have the natural advantage of on-premise deployment, but it also has many new advantages in terms of features.
Data Center Edition maintains a self-managed environment with security controls, performance at scale, and flexible infrastructure choices. Its functions are an extension of the functions of the server version, which not only includes the functions that users are familiar with and loves, but also adds features suitable for enterprise customers. Moreover, the transition from server to data center is seamless, and there will be no barriers to user experience. In the current context, considering moving to Data Center Edition is a smart and comprehensive choice to meet the needs of your business for the future.
atlassianA special policy is implemented for Chinese users, and Chinese enterprises can use the data center version of Jira, Confluence and other products as long as the number of users exceeds 25.
Should I migrate to the cloud?
Cloud is the future and the focus of Atlassian's future investment. It improves operational efficiency and focuses on innovation through seamless collaboration, better integrations, and native automation. In terms of automation, data asset management, and integration, the Cloud Edition has exclusive features that are not yet available in the Server version. Hosted on the cloud, managed and maintained by Atlassian, users can focus more on their business needs.
Recently, Atlassian announced that multiple products, including Jira Software, Confluence, and Jira Service Management, have full AI support to create a human-machine collaborative work experience for cloud customers. As a result, considering moving to the cloud may be a more forward-looking option to adapt to future work.
Migration timeOr up to 9 months, you need to plan ahead
No matter what version you're migrating to, you'll need to do detailed planning before you migrate. In this way, you can avoid any errors and omissions in the migration process, which will affect the normal operation of the business. For large teams, the entire process can take more than 9 months from assessment to initiating migration. As the end of support for the Server Edition has arrived, we recommend that you plan to migrate your data to the Data Center Edition and Cloud Edition with security and support as soon as possible to avoid unexpected situations.
The migration process is complex and requires a large amount of data to be migrated? You can choose a trusted Atlassian partner to help you with your migration. Lonzie is an Atlassian Global Platinum Partner, with rich successful cases and experience in migrating from Server Edition to Data Center Edition. Our team of Atlassian experts has:Two Atlassian Certified Expertsand21 Atlassian Certified IndividualsProvide 5*8 hours of technical support services. We'll plan a seamless migration journey for you step-by-step based on your needs, ensuring data integrity and a smooth migration experience. Contact us today for more assistance.