Data migration isn’t just about moving data- it’s become a strategic step in digital transformation. With Atlassian retiring Jira Data Center (DC), many teams are facing the decision of when and how to move to Jira Cloud.
On paper, migration looks simple: transfer projects, issues, and workflows. In reality, large data volumes, legacy complexities, and downtime risks can derail even well-planned efforts. That’s why the choice of migration tool matters so much.
Things worth considering before selecting a migration tool:
- Data volume & complexity: Custom fields, attachments, histories, workflows.
- Compatibility: Schema and permission differences between DC and Cloud.
- Budget & timeline: Licensing, downtime planning, contingency steps.
- Use cases: DC TO Cloud migrations, consolidations, or post-M&A standardization.
Migration approaches teams use:
- Big Bang: move everything at once, faster but higher risk.
- Phased (zero-downtime): gradual moves, validation at each step, minimal disruption.
Features to look for in a data migration tool:
- Zero downtime and no disruption
- Reverse-sync during migration
- Data transformation capabilities
- Strong data security and scalability
Best migration practices
- Clean up data before migration
- Test and validate early
- Involve admins, PMs, and technical experts
- Communicate timelines clearly to users
The bottom line: Application migration is both data migration (moving issues, projects, workflows) and data transformation (making sure everything is usable and compatible in the target system). Hence, they to be addressed together for success.
In this space, enterprise-grade solutions like OpsHub Migration Manager (OMM) from Atlassian Silver Solution Partner, OpsHub, Inc. have been helping teams migrate at scale to Jira with zero downtime, no disruption, reverse-sync, and advanced transformation capabilities from 70+tools.
Curious to hear from this group-what lessons or challenges have you faced when picking migration tools?
