The article, with the seemingly inconspicuous title „Accelerating our journey to the cloud, together„, from Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar, has recently caused quite a stir in the Atlassian world.
Maybe he was inspired by the English proverb „You can’t spell challenge without change“, but that’s just mine speculation 
. So what is it about?
Simply put and summarized – Atlassian will gradually end with Server products by February 2024 and it will focus only on Cloud a Data Center products.
The announced changes will mostly affect the Product Server
The sale of new Server Licenses ends on February 2nd, 2021.
It will not be possible to purchase new Server licenses for their products. At the same time, a new price list for the License Server will come into an effect – prices will increase for their renewal and upgrade (if you are considering purchasing these licenses, please contact us).
The option for user tier upgrade and downgrade of Server licenses ends on February 2nd, 2022.
It will not be possible to increase or reduce the number of users for purchased Server licenses – this applies not only to products but also to applications (add ons).
The possibility of purchasing new applications (add ons) for the existing License Server ends on February 2nd, 2023.
Renewal of licenses will be possible until February 2nd, 2024.
Atlassian ends support for all Server products on February 2nd, 2024.
This means that Server products (Jira, Confluence, etc.) will no longer be supported by Atlassian and that no bug fixes will be released for them, after this date. Atlassian recommends migrating to the Cloud or Data Center until this date.
The changes also apply to Data Center products.
Data Center products still remain a key product branch.
Prices for Data Center products will change, and new features will be included on February 2nd, 2021.
The new price list for Data Center licenses will come into an effect on this day – prices will increase. However, the good news is that the following applications will be included in the tools:
- Advanced Roadmaps will be part of Jira Software – Data Center
- Team Calendars for Confluence and Analytics for Confluence will be part of the Confluence – Data Center
- Insight – Asset Management and Insight Discovery will be part of the Jira Service Desk – Data Center
Another good news is that the “Priority Support” service will be included in this price.
How to continue?
Atlassian’s primary endeavor is, of course, to make it as easy as possible for existing customers to transit from Server products to their Cloud alternatives. For this purpose, Atlassian has come up with the Atlassian Migration Program to professionally capture and facilitate this whole process. This program practically covers the entire migration process through migration support teams, official Atlassian partners like us – EEA, or the Atlassian Community portal where you can ask any questions and find answers to questions you never even asked :). Training or detailed documentation of the migration process are offered in the matter of course.
Significant help in the transition to the Cloud is the opportunity to get the so-called Free Cloud Migration Trial license, which can be valid for up to 12 months. It is an option for existing customers with Server products to try a cloud alternative.
Atlassian sees its future primarily in Cloud services, and a recent announcement only confirms this. We should not forget the fact, that Atlassian invests large resources in the development of its Cloud products. It already has a sophisticated ecosystem of Cloud tools and we can expect further intensive developments in this area. For the curious – new planned features can be found in the Atlassian Cloud Roadmap.
Atlassian understands that some clients do not want or cannot switch to Cloud products – for those are intended the products from the Data Center line.
The following questions and answers should help you to navigate yourself on how to proceed onward.
Frequently asked questions and answers
What does it mean that Atlassian would not sell the License Server after February 2nd, 2021?
It will be practically impossible to purchase new licenses (products) from the Server line. This applies to the following products:
- Jira Software – Server
- Jira Core – Server
- Jira Service Desk – Server
- Confluence – Server
- Bitbucket – Server
- Crowd – Server
- Bamboo – Server
Renewal / Upgrade / Downgrade of the numbers of users using the existing licenses will still be possible.
I have purchased Server licenses (products) in the past, which I still use – what should I do?
First of all, there is no need to panic – there is enough time and Atlassian will officially support Server products until February 2, 2024. However you should gradually prepare for the migration to the Cloud or Data Center alternative. It is practically possible to use Server products even after February 2, 2024 – but this is not recommended by Atlassian, as the products will no longer be supported – vulnerabilities or other bugs will not be fixed.
Can I increase the number of users on Server products even after February 2021?
Increasing or decreasing the number of users (so-called User tier Upgrade / Downgrade) is possible until February 2, 2022. This applies to products as well as applications (add ons). Therefore, if you plan to change the number of licensed users on your Server products, you must make it before February 2nd, 2022. As a user of Atlassian products, you can purchase licenses or upgrade them through us. Contact us and we will be happy to advise you.
Do I have to move to the Cloud in February 2021?
No.
- First of all, in addition to the Cloud alternative, it is also possible to migrate to Data Center products.
- Second of all, Server products are officially supported (i.e., updates will be released with fixes, etc.) until February 2024.
- However, it is advisable to go to the Cloud or Data Center by February 2nd, 2024 at the latest.
Can I still use my Server products after February 2024?
Yes. However, this is not recommended as they are no longer officially supported after this date – updates will no longer be released for vulnerabilities or other issues identified. This will be a real threat of data theft – especially if your solution is publicly available on the Internet.
What does it mean to go to the Cloud?
Cloud products, in contrast to Server or Data Center, are hosted directly by Atlassian.
- The server and Data Center are hosted at the client (or on hosting services such as AWS).
- The main change in the transition from Server to Cloud is the fact that the data will no longer be physically on your servers but on Atlassian servers. Atlassian has hosting centers in the US, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, and Australia.
- Security or privacy concerns are out of place – Atlassian meets the highest data security requirements. Needs arising from the GDPR Regulation were not left out either.
- This eliminates the cost of managing your own hosting or HW.
Another major difference is the fact that you no longer have to worry about upgrading tools – you will practically only notice new options that will become available without any effort. However, each coin has two sides – in this case, the slight disadvantage is that you cannot say when the upgrade should take place.
- A sandbox (test) environment is also available for products with activated Premium and Enterprise plans. Changes in the implemented processes can be tested first.
- Scaling, i.e. ensuring a sufficiently fast response as the number of users increases, is provided by Atlassian. This eliminates the need to increase resources and so on.
- It is important to note that the current Cloud offers less customization options compared to Server or Data Center products.
- Nemenej dôležitým faktom je, že aj samotné aplikácie (addony) môžu ponúkať rozdielnu funkcionalitu pre Cloud.
- More detailed differences between Server, Cloud, and Data Center products can be found in this link.
Is the transfer to the Cloud simple?
This question cannot be easily answered. It depends on which products you use (Jira, Confluence…) and also which applications from the Atlassian Marketplace are installed in them. Integrations with other systems also come into play. Naturally, more significant customized solutions will require more time to migrate to the Cloud.
Atlassian has come up with the Atlassian Migration Program, to professionally capture and facilitate this whole process.
Last but not least, as an Atlassian partner, we will be happy to help you in this regard. Feel free to contact us.
What if I have an integrated Jira – Server with internal systems?
It is simply not possible to answer this question in general. It depends on several factors – the type of integration, the method of implementation, etc. You can contact us with a specific case and we will be happy to advise you.
Due to our company’s internal guidelines, we cannot switch to the Cloud, is there another option?
Yes, the alternative is to switch to Data Center products. With Data Center products, you still have On-Premise hosting available, i.e. you can host the products yourself and have the data stored internally.
Data Center products will continue to be a key product branch. Their sale and support do not end. The announced changes are (as of February 2nd, 2021):
- Price change
- Incorporation of new functionalities
- Incorporation of Premium Support Services
Why did Atlassian decide to stop selling and supporting Server products?
90% of new customers from all over the world choose Cloud products. Atlassian is increasingly focusing on development and advancement in the Cloud area as a “Cloud-first company”. Atlassian invests considerable resources in the development of Cloud products – it increases their flexibility, capabilities, performance, and security. It expands their possibilities in the areas of machine learning, integrations, and various automation.
Will Atlassian reimburse me for the costs associated with moving to the Cloud or Data Center?
Atlassian prepares various motivational packages. Contact us for more information and we will find the most advantageous solution for you.
Only time will tell whether the following changes will be enthusiastically welcomed or received with concern.
One thing is certain – change, as such, is a constant in the world. It shouldn’t be a scarecrow or a rocket science. It has always been here and it will always be here.
My tip at the end? Nature itself shows us that organisms that are capable to adapt do the best. It should set an example for us.
Samuel Titka
Atlassian consultant
Other useful information and resources:
