A Thorough Guide To Efficient Jira Azure DevOps Integration

This article was written by Ugochukwu Ezenduka , a technical copywriter at Exalate .

Picture this: Your IT and operations team is using Azure DevOps to manage IT services, but you are working with a managed services provider that uses Jira exclusively.?

This is a problem. You need to find a way to coordinate workflows and sync data to ensure smooth collaboration and break down silos.

I’ve got just the perfect solution. You need a secure third-party integration solution called Exalate to help you automate data synchronization between Jira and Azure DevOps.?

Come along as I explore the steps involved in Jira Azure DevOps integration using Exalate. You’ll also learn common use cases and the benefits of implementing this type of integration.

How to Integrate Jira and Azure DevOps Using Exalate

Exalate has three configuration modes.

The Basic mode lets you sync basic entities and fields, the Visual mode uses drag-and-drop mappings, while the Script mode uses a Groovy-based scripting engine.

But let’s not rush ahead. We need to install Exalate first.

Step 1 – Install Exalate on Jira and Azure DevOps?

For Azure DevOps:

1. Go to the Visual Studio.
2. Search for “Exalate for Azure DevOps Integration”.
3. Click “Get”.
4. Select your organization.
5. Click “Install”.
6. Click on the “30-day trial” image and enter your email into the popup.
7. Go to your email and copy the evaluation code.
8. Come back to the installation screen and click on “License Key”.
9. Enter the key and click “Update”.
10. All set.?

To find out more about installing Exalate on Azure DevOps and other environments, read the full installation guide.

For Jira (cloud installation):

1. Go to the Atlassian Marketplace and look up "Exalate Jira issue sync & more".
2. Click “Try it free”.
3. Select “Cloud” as your hosting type.
4. Click “Start free trial”.
5. Select a site to install the app > Click “Start free trial”.
6. Confirm the free trial.
7. All set, ready to start connecting.

You can also install Exalate on Docker-compatible operating systems and Jira App Manager. And you can run the application on VMware, VirtualBox, and other virtual machines.

Step 2 – Set Up a Connection Between Jira and Azure DevOps

With the app installed, let’s set up a connection. You can start from the Jira or Azure DevOps side — no difference.

Note: If you're a fan of video tutorials, I also have a video for you.

https://youtu.be/OBMSzA0lAH4?si=o3fGNTQBcODL5QQg

Go to your Exalate Console and click “Connections” on the main dashboard on your left.

Click “Initiate connection.” Enter the destination URL. The system verifies if Exalate exists on the other side, and a confirmation pop-up appears.

If you don’t have a URL, click the “I don’t have a URL” button and follow these instructions.

You can see options for Basic, Visual, and Script mode connections.

I’ll discuss all three in detail.

Basic Mode Connection

Select “Basic Mode”. Choose the project you want to sync from the dropdown menu and click “Confirm”.

Then, click “Yes, I have admin access”. Click “Initiate” to complete the process.

You’ll then be redirected to the Azure DevOps side.?

Select the target project, then enter the issue key.

Click “Exalate” to establish the connection.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up the first Basic mode connection.

Now it gets more interesting.

Visual Mode Connection

Go to the dashboard. Click “Initiate connection” to start.

Enter the Azure DevOps instance URL. Then select “Visual” mode and click “Next”.

On the next screen, enter the name of the connection and add a description. Then click “Next” again.

You’ll be taken to a screen to verify the instance. Click “Verify admin access” to complete the sequence.

And just like that, you’ve set up the Visual mode connection.

Script Mode Connection

Select “Script Mode” this time. Enter the name (for local and remote instances) and description of the connection.

Click “Next”.

On the next screen, click on “Copy invitation code” to save the code to your clipboard.

Go over to the Exalate console on the Azure DevOps side. Click “Accept invitation” and enter the code into the text field.?

Click “Next” then select a project, and click “Confirm”.

That’s all. You can see your connection on the dashboard as “Active”. If the connection didn’t go through, it would appear as “Pending”.

Step 3 – Configuring the Sync Rules

Now, this is where the magic happens.

If you have a Script or Visual mode connection, you can specify rules to control how the sync works.

Let’s start with the Script mode connection.

Configure the Script Mode Connection

Go to the Script mode connection you just created.

Click “Edit Connections” and go to the “Rules” tab.

You’ll see the collapsible “Incoming sync” and “Outgoing sync” fields.

Toggle the light or dark mode according to your preference.

This scripting engine uses Groovy on both Azure DevOps and Jira instances. You can comment out the lines you don’t need or add new ones to extend the sync scope.?

Once done, click “Publish” to implement them in the sync.?

You can get started with script helpers.

Configure the Visual Mode Connection

Go to the connection and click “Edit connection”.

Then, choose the source and destination projects, as well as whether the mapping should be manual, automatic, or disabled. You can also add filters.

Click “Save” to complete.

Next, you’ll see a list of default mappings and scripts, which you can drag and drop to reorder.

?You can also add mappings and scripts. Set the rules for each mapping, including default values and custom code.

Once done, click “Publish”.

Voila! Your connection is set.

Step 4 – Setting Up Automated Triggers

Exalate triggers use Work Item Query Language (WIQL) for Azure DevOps and Jira Query Language (JQL) to automate integrations and control syncs in bulk.

Let’s create a trigger on the Jira side.

Go to the “Triggers” tab. Click the “+ Create trigger” button.

On the pop-up modal, select the entity type, enter notes, and set the conditions. Then, toggle the trigger to “Active” before clicking the “Add” button.

You’ll see your active trigger on the list.

And that’s all! Your trigger is now set.

What are The Benefits of Jira Azure DevOps Integration?

#1 – Improved Collaboration

Teams with intersecting areas of concentration can use a Jira Azure DevOps integration solution to create a seamless flow of information. This also extends to two-way cross-company collaborations where transparency and real-time data updates are essential to project success.?

#2 – Optimized Workflows?

The use of automated integrations and triggers can help improve the speed of information exchange. It also helps to eliminate bottlenecks and redundancies.?

For instance, a bug logged in Jira will be replicated on Azure DevOps in near real time. This will keep both sides of the connection updated on changes?

#3 – Decentralized integration

A tool like Exalate has a single-tenant architecture, which gives administrators the autonomy to control what they share or receive during the sync.?

For instance, your admin can use the Script mode to make sure that attachments shared internally won’t appear on the MSP’s side. This is a great asset for MSP integration.?

What are The Best Practices for Integrating Jira and Azure DevOps?

Here are some tips to ensure that your synchronization goes smoothly:

1. Always verify that the integration solution provider complies with GDPR and contains security features built on a single-tenant architecture.
2. Opt for a third-party solution that is compatible with both Azure DevOps and Jira. Exalate supports Jira Azure DevOps integrations, as well as syncs with Salesforce, Zendesk, ServiceNow, GitHub, and many more.
3. Prioritize integration tools that can scale with your infrastructure without breaking down under the stress of increasing workloads.
4. Your admin should establish permissions with specific roles and accesses for individuals based on their clearance level.?
5. Add extra authorization and security protocols such as personal access tokens and multi-factor authentication.
6. Choose integration solutions that offer customizability in the form of pre-configured templates and drag-and-drop features. For advanced use cases, choose a script-based solution like Exalate to get access to a scripting engine that you can customize.

What are the Most Common Jira Azure DevOps Integration Use Cases?

Jira and Azure DevOps have a wide range of applications across several industries. Here are a few scenarios where Jira Azure DevOps integration could be useful.?

• Establishing a channel for information exchange between backend and frontend developers working on an app, feature, or product.
• Connecting customer service and engineering teams to address a bug or defect reported by a customer.
• Help marketing and design teams share story points, implement findings, and process customer feedback.
• Share findings from business analysts with the development or engineering team.
• Provide a means for the QA team to share data with the development team during testing and release management.

What Can I Sync Between Jira and Azure DevOps?

When working with Jira and Azure DevOps, you can sync work items, issues, tasks, epics, user stories, comments, attachments, statuses, etc. You can even migrate existing issues from Jira to Azure DevOps to ensure both platforms have consistent and accurate data.?

In general, you can explore several syncing capabilities with the help of Exalate’s Groovy scripting engine. Just get the functions and expressions right, and you are good to go.

Final Words

Integrating Jira and Azure DevOps allows you to share data seamlessly between teams or even companies. If you work with an MSP, you need a third-party integration solution to maintain a seamless, decentralized workflow.?See how our integration services can help you.

If you want to integrate Jira and Azure DevOps using Exalate, reach out to us to book a demo and discuss your use case with an integration engineer.