In this modern era, most organizations are using Work Management platforms like Azure DevOps and Jira to organize their work and manage data. Making the most out of these technologies is essential for enhancing performance and increasing productivity. This is where the Azure DevOps Jira Integration comes into the picture.
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.
Table of contents
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
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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.
Azure DevOps comprises 5 key services for the Software Lifecycle Management including Azure Boards, Azure Pipeline, Azure Repos, Azure Test Plans, and Azure Artifacts. It provides a cloud-based DevOps service to power any DevOps pipeline in addition to Azure DevOps Server (formerly Team Foundation Server) for on-premise deployment.
Key Features of Azure DevOps
Azure DevOps consists of a wide set of tools that offer end-to-end software process management solutions and deliver great value to businesses. Let’s explore some of the key features of Azure DevOps:
- Collaboration: Azure DevOps ensure Collaboration by providing a central location for hosting and managing codes. It also provides Azure Board service which enables the team members to use the Kanban or Scrum system for Project Planning, Dashboard Analysis, and Reporting Abilities.
- Continuous Integration and Deployment (CICD): Developers may automate various design activities with Azure Pipelines such as defining builds and associated steps, creating test instructions, managing simultaneous releases, and many others.
- Flexibility: Azure DevOps is flexible in the sense that each of its services can be utilized independently and integrated with the organization’s existing tools, thereby, making adaptability easier.
- Reliability: Azure DevOps offers enterprise-grade security that can handle deployment across numerous instances and keep apps within compliance.
To know more about Azure DevOps, visit this link.
Introduction to Jira
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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.
Key Features of Jira
Jira is a well-known Project Management and Collaboration platform that helps teams work towards a common goal. Let’s explore some of the key features of Jira:
- Workflow Customization: Jira can be tailored to fulfill any requirement, such as Project Management, Issue Tracking, and Task Management. Moreover, Workflow, Reports, Scrum Boards, and other components can all be customized easily.
- Robust Integration Support: Developers have access to a variety of REST (Representational State Transfer) and Java APIs (Application Programming Interface), as well as the Atlassian Marketplace, making it simple to extend Jira’s functionality and customize it to your company’s needs.
- Rich Toolkit: Developers may quickly design filters and alter items using the Jira Query Language (JQL). Additionally, new processes can be developed to manage the various ways in which users build, test, and deploy their apps.
- Enterprise-Grade Security Control: Jira Software and other Atlassian Cloud products use Bank-Grade Security and centralized administration to protect data and files. Admins can also create a flexible governance strategy that allows them to use the tools and processes they need without restricting access or collaboration.
To know more about Jira, visit this link.
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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
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.
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- Go to the search bar under the Atlassian Marketplace and type Exalate in the search bar as shown below.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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- 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.
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Exalate offers 3 different configuration options:
- Basic Mode
- Visual Mode
- Script Mode
- 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.
- Visual Mode: The Visual Mode provides a low-code, user-friendly interface for setting up and customizing advanced features on a connection.
- 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.
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- You’ll have to confirm admin access on the Jira side as shown below.
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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.
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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.
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Share your experience of setting up Azure DevOps Jira Integration in the comments section below!
Ayush is a Software Engineer with a keen interest in data analysis and writing technical content. He has authored numerous articles covering a wide array of subjects in data integration and infrastructure.