Azure DevOps Jira Integration: 3 Easy Steps

Azure DevOps is a platform that allows you to manage projects and keep track of your code. It provides functionality for Testing, Project Management, Code Versioning as well as in building Automation. On the other hand, Jira is a Project Management and Collaboration tool that allows you to assign tasks to team members and keep track of the progress. It is highly customizable, making it ideal for teams working with multiple software.

This article will guide you through the process of setting up Azure DevOps Jira Integration using 3 simple steps. It will provide you with a brief overview of Azure DevOps and Jira with their key features. You will also explore the key benefits of setting up Azure DevOps Jira Integration in further sections. Let’s get started.

Prerequisites

You will have a much easier time setting up your Azure DevOps Jira Integration if you have gone through the following prerequisites:

• An active Azure account.
• An active Jira account.

Introduction to Azure DevOps

• Microsoft Azure is one of the popular cloud computing platforms that offer Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions.
• Since Azure DevOps is a subset of Microsoft Azure, it is a SaaS-based platform that offers a complete DevOps toolchain for building and deploying software.
• It integrates with the majority of popular tools and is an excellent choice for orchestrating a DevOps toolchain. It is widely used in managing the entire Software Development lifecycle.

Introduction to Jira

• Jira is a popular Project Management tool for tracking bugs, issues, and the progress of multiple tasks associated with Software Development in an organization. It offers a powerful and feature-rich dashboard that makes regular monitoring of various bug and issue-related tasks a breeze.
• Some of the packages offered by Jira include Jira Core, Jira Software, and Jira Service Desk. All of these packages are aimed at making Generic and Agile Project Management responsibilities easier.
• Furthermore, Jira can integrate with more than 3,000 SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) applications available on the Atlassian Marketplace.
• With such a great variety, you can improve your functionality and provide more value to your clients. Jira currently has around 180,000 users in 190 countries and is rapidly growing in popularity.

Steps to Set Up Azure DevOps Jira Integration

Now that you have a basic grasp of both technologies let’s try to understand the procedure to set up Azure DevOps Jira Integration. Azure DevOps Jira Integration can be easily achieved using “Exalate”. Exalate is the most flexible synchronization solution that can automatically and securely sync issues across various Jira instances. Below are the steps you can follow to set up Azure DevOps Jira Integration:

• Step 1: Installing Exalate on Jira
• Step 2: Installing Exalate on Azure DevOps
• Step 3: Connecting Azure DevOps and Jira Instances

Step 1: Installing Exalate on Jira

The very first step in setting up the Azure DevOps Jira Integration is to install Exalate on Jira. Here, it is assumed that you’re using Jira Cloud, however, you can also read Exalate’s documentation for a Jira Cloud installation process. Now, you can follow the below-mentioned procedures to install Exalate on Jira.

• Log in to Jira and then click on the settings icon in the upper right corner of the screen. After this, navigate to the menu bar and select Apps as shown below.

• Go to the search bar under the Atlassian Marketplace and type Exalate in the search bar as shown below.

At the top of the screen, you should see the Exalate Jira Issue Sync & more app. Exalate apps for additional platforms, such as Azure DevOps, ServiceNow, and GitHub, are also available. Make sure you choose the correct one.

• Click the Try it free button and then you’ll be guided through a few screens. Follow the steps to start your trial, which will finally return you to Jira with a confirmation message.
• Click Get Started to complete the Exalate installation on Jira.

Step 2: Installing Exalate on Azure DevOps

After you have successfully installed Exalate on Jira, now you can install Exalate on Azure DevOps to set up the Azure DevOps Jira Integration. You’ll need to create a PAT (Personal Access Token) to install Exalate on Azure DevOps. You can follow the below-mentioned procedures to install Exalate on Azure DevOps.

• Log in to Azure DevOps and then select the shopping bag icon in the upper right corner of the screen. 
• Choose Browse Marketplace and search for Exalate in the search box. After this, select the Exalate for Azure DevOps app and then click the green Get button to begin the free trial as shown below.

After that, you’ll be guided through an installation wizard, and your Exalate will be installed. Now, you’ll need to obtain an evaluation license. You can follow the below-mentioned procedures to obtain the evaluation license.

• Select 30-day-trial under the License Details. There will be a popup. Enter your email address and then check your email for the evaluation key.
• Click the green License Key button on the Exalate license details screen as shown below. Copy and paste the code that was sent to you via email. After that, simply click Update and you are done. 

Step 3: Connecting Azure DevOps and Jira Instances

After you’ve installed Exalate on both platforms, you’ll need to connect them and set up the Azure DevOps Jira Integration. You can follow the below-mentioned procedures to connect Azure DevOps and Jira instances.

• Go to the Settings page on the Azure DevOps. Select Exalate that can be found under Organization Settings > Extensions. 
• After selecting Exalate, you’ll see a Connections menu on the left-hand side. Next, click the Initiate connection button as shown below.

• After that, type the URL of the Jira instance in the Destination instance URL field that you have created in step one. Click Next once you’re done as shown below.

Exalate offers 3 different configuration options:

• Basic Mode
• Visual Mode
• Script Mode

1. Basic Mode: The Basic Mode is intended for simple synchronization requirements. This mode allows you to immediately begin syncing your first work item or issue. However, there are no advanced setting choices for this mode.
2. Visual Mode: The Visual Mode provides a low-code, user-friendly interface for setting up and customizing advanced features on a connection.
3. Script Mode: Script Mode is intended for complex and unique advanced use-cases. For configuring connections created with this mode, Exalate uses the Groovy scripting language.

In this article, you’ll look at how to establish a connection in Basic Mode. Now, you can follow the below-mentioned procedures to set up the Azure DevOps Jira Integration.

• Now, you need to choose an Azure DevOps project. Then, select the required project from the dropdown menu and click Next as shown below.

• You’ll have to confirm admin access on the Jira side as shown below.

Note: If you have the access, click Initiate, and you’ll be taken to the Jira side to complete the process. If you do not have access, you must copy and paste an invitation code into the Jira instance’s Accept Invitation field.

• After you are redirected to the Jira instance, select the project from the drop-down menu that you want to synchronize and then click Confirm. This initiates the connection between Azure DevOps and Jira as shown below. 

With this, you have successfully set up the Azure DevOps Jira Integration using Exalate. It’s as simple as that.

Key Benefits of Setting Up Azure DevOps Jira Integration

Some of the key benefits of setting up Azure DevOps Jira Integration include:

• Azure DevOps Jira Integration empowers your teams with Autonomy, Flexibility, and the ability to handle errors. It also allows team members the ability to design their environment in the way they want.
• Azure DevOps Jira Integration allows both sides of the connection to monitor and adjust what is being sent out and passed into their systems without having to consult the other team.
• With Azure DevOps Jira Integration you won’t have to worry about duplicating information or working on the same issues.
• Azure DevOps Jira Integration enables you to take advantage of each other’s knowledge and research. Thus, allowing you to strive toward the common objectives.

Conclusion

• In this article, you learned how to set up Azure DevOps Jira Integration.
• It also gave an overview of Azure DevOps and Jira with their key features. You also learned about the key benefits of setting up Azure DevOps Jira Integration.
• You can now create your Azure DevOps Jira Integration to effortlessly share information among the team members.
• Moreover, you can let your teams get on with their work without worrying about downtime or difficulties with this integration. 

Share your experience of setting up Azure DevOps Jira Integration in the comments section below!