September 2023 Digest: Unbiased coverage of all things Atlassian

[Inna Gordin]

Hi there,

We are back with our unbiased news and insights coverage for Atlassian, solution partners, app vendors, industry experts, and beyond. Below, you will find shortcuts - with summaries - to over 30 articles (+headlines) covering Atlassian news, Product news, and insights and opinions.

ATLASSIAN NEWS

1) Codegeist Unleashed 2023: bigger, better, beyond anything before

Brace yourselves, developers! Atlassian's annual hackathon is back with a phenomenal twist: a whopping $172,500 in cash prizes up for grabs! Have you ever dreamt of showcasing your skills on a global stage? Here's your chance!

2) Atlassian's financial overview in numbers

In an article published in Forbes, Robert DeFrancesco offers a comprehensive analysis of Atlassian's financial health and growth, compares it with previous years, and sheds light on its investment prospects. We've highlighted key figures from the recent year, which ended in June 2023. 

3) Atlassian promoted Avani Prabhakar to the role of Global Head of Talent

Atlassian has promoted Avani Prabhakar as the global head of talent and HR business partners. In this role, she'll focus on enhancing company performance, streamlining operations for employee programs, and growing DEI initiatives. 

4) Get early access to Atlassian Intelligence features; try the first one in Atlas

Dive into the future as Atlas enhances your experience with AI-driven solutions. The team is releasing its debut feature: a shorten update button, designed to keep Atlas updates snug within the 280-character cap. Here is how you can get in on the early access list.

5) Atlassian's Q4 FY23 letter to shareholders

Read this update to customers, stakeholders, and shareholders on Atlassian's mission to unleash the potential in every team.

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PRODUCT NEWS

JIRA

6) New automation limits for Jira Cloud products

Starting from November 1, 2023, Jira Cloud will implement a revised packaging model similar to what was introduced with Confluence Automation. The key changes include: only successful action will count towards the limit; separate limits for each product. [read the summary here] 

7) Jira integrates with Google Docs via Smart Chips

Atlassian's Jira and Confluence are integrating with Google Smart Chips, enhancing the user experience in Google Docs - no longer there is a need for users to switch between different tools. 

8) New product request feature empowers Cloud Enterprise Admins

Atlassian is introducing a "product requests" feature for Jira Software, Confluence, and Jira Service Management’s Cloud Enterprise plans. Admins can stop users from independently signing up for products and gain more control over shadow IT instances within their organizations.

9) Atlassian’s new EAP for Priorities per Project in Jira Cloud

Atlassian is introducing a new EAP for Priorities per Project to allow Jira Cloud admins to establish priority schemes, allowing distinct priorities for various projects. 

JSM

10) Introducing Single Sign-On for external customers in JSM

Atlassian has announced that Single Sign-On (SSO) for external customers is now being released. You'll be able to configure JSM to enable SSO authentication for your external customers in your Help Center. Learn how external customer SSO works and how to set it up. 

11) Open beta: AI-powered Virtual Agent in JSM Cloud Premium & Enterprise

Jira Service Management has expanded its virtual agent from a limited beta to an open beta. This AI-powered virtual agent, driven by Atlassian Intelligence, provides automated conversational support on Slack, with Microsoft Teams integration in the pipeline. 

12) A simplified integration setup experience in Opsgenie and JSM Cloud

An updated integration setup experience, a new UI, is rolling out to all Opsgenie and Jira Service Management Cloud customers. Here is a list of improvements. 

13) Open beta: Custom Domains in JSM

Jira Service Management Cloud now offers an open beta for custom domains. This feature allows organizations to use their own branded URL, enhancing brand visibility and improving SEO. 

CONFLUENCE

14) EAP for Premium/Enterprise JSM users: surface Assets in Confluence Cloud

This EAP lets you embed Assets for JSM into Confluence. This feature will enhance how you manage and view your assets and seamlessly integrate your JSM objects into Confluence as a table. 

15) New: Confluence pages embedded into Jira tickets

Atlassian is always looking for ways to streamline workflows, reduce interruptions, and help users keep focus. With that spirit in mind, the team has introduced the latest integration enhancement: they've seamlessly incorporated Confluence pages into Jira tickets. 

16) Unveiling enhanced Template features in Confluence

David Akinyemi, a Product Manager at Confluence, has unveiled an enhanced Template experience with many new features designed to improve content creation and usability. 

17) Introducing multiaccount support for Confluence Mobile

Atlassian introduced Multiaccount Support for Confluence Mobile on both iOS and Android. Now, you can seamlessly switch between accounts. Moreover, clicking on a link related to another account will automatically switch you to the appropriate account.

ACCESS

18) Atlassian Access introduces Test Policy Feature for enhanced external user security

In June 2023, Atlassian introduced external user security in Atlassian Access to provide security controls for collaborators outside the company. Atlassian has now added a test policy feature to these security settings. 

HEADLINE HOTSPOT

Alongside our comprehensive coverage, we stumbled upon intriguing product news you might want to be aware of - read the headlines here. 

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INSIGHTS & OPINIONS

19) Ten ways to customize Jira, Confluence and more with Forge

Forge, Atlassian's extensibility platform, is compatible with products like Jira Software, Jira Service Management, Confluence, and Compass, and there's unmatched power in crafting code that can directly augment their functionality. This article explores several ways you can leverage Forge to tailor these products to your unique needs. #forge

20) Five ways to monitor and report on daily activity in Jira

Whether it's a comment added, an issue status update, or a shift in the due date, having a clear record of all Jira changes not only ensures seamless teamwork but also assists in preventing potential business conflicts. Delve into how you can check Jira's daily user activity. (Featured app: Issue History for Jira) 

21) JiraCon23: Everything you need to know

The passion for enhancing team performance never wanes, and if there's one product that's been central to this quest, it's Jira. And there is so much to learn! In our event coverage, we're thrilled to highlight #JiraCon23 by Trundl.

22) Review of Confluence Whiteboards, by Rodney Nissen

As Rodney, also known as "The Jira Guy," gets his hands on Confluence Whiteboards, he reviews its functionalities, explores its myriad features, and delves into this substantial enhancement to Confluence Cloud. #whiteboards #confluence

23) Atlassian’s EAPs in a nutshell, and should you participate

Atlassian undoubtedly values customer feedback and collaboration. Their Early Adopter Programs (EAP) have been a sure way to get users' direct feedback about new features, improvements, or products. EAPs come with many benefits to Atlassian and customers but also some challenges that participants should be aware of.

24) Spotify Model in a nutshell

Spotify has not only revolutionized the way we listen to music but has also introduced an innovative organizational structure called the "Spotify model." This model, covered in this article by Scandio, was developed as the company expanded, aiming to scale agile methodologies across the organization.

25) How to excel in agile implementation

Transitioning to agile is not merely about adopting a new set of guidelines or protocols. It demands a comprehensive organizational metamorphosis. Check out this concise post by Tempo on the keys to effectively implementing Agile. 

26) Considerations for moving your CMDB into JSM Cloud

Transitioning a Configuration Management Database (CMDB) from on-premises infrastructure to JSM Cloud has become a focal point of discussion. If you're contemplating or preparing for such a move, grasping the details of the transition is essential. This Cprime article delves into the critical elements of CMDB. 

27) Atlassian Confluence: Your creative collaboration hub

In a post by Rankin Mayne, get the ideas for the innovative world of Atlassian Confluence, a platform designed for creators and collaborators alike. The author offers some basis for exploring its vast features, whether you're a seasoned user or a newbie.

28) An Atlassian Marketplace Partner perspective: Why choose Cloud?

Organizations face a crucial decision – to migrate to Atlassian Cloud or opt for Data Center. Plus, newcomers to Jira and Confluence are also deliberating on which version to select. This blog post by Federico Baronti of Deiser aims to guide both groups to an optimal choice. 

29) Understanding the implications: Why Atlassian's Server support end is a call to action

Atlassian is ending support for its server products after February 15, 2024, meaning no more technical support, security updates, or bug fixes. Naturally, Atlassian and most solution partners have advised customers to migrate for safety and security, as using unsupported server products poses significant risks. In this Atlassian article, you can read more about those risks.

30) Mastering your development environment with Ian Buchanan

In an ever-evolving tech landscape, staying up-to-date and refining one's skills is crucial. But what if the secret to optimization isn't just in the code you write but also in how you maintain your development environment? Join Ian Buchanan as they dive into the habit adopted a decade ago: the monthly rebuild of the developer setup.

31) How to empower Agile methodology with OKRs

OKRs provide a framework for setting goals that unify and align every organization member towards a shared objective. This guest post by Oboard (on Valiantys.com) delves into the harmony between OKRs and Agile, and highlights the benefits and methods of incorporating them into your business structure. 

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If you believe there are crucial news and insights that we've missed, kindly let us know in the comments. Together, we can continuously improve and deliver better content for you.