Does Atlassian have database converters for our existing issue-tracking software?

[John Tucci]

I'm evaluating Jira as a replacement for our current issue-tracking system. If we do switch to Jira we would want to port our existing issue database to Jira without having to manually re-enter thousands of issue. Is there a database converter utility available?

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Accepted solution]

No, being finicky about language here, I would say that there are no database converters left.  Even the old plugins (apps) which were able to directly connect to another system's database and hoover the data out into a Jira format were far better described as "Importers" rather than "database converters"

But, yes, there are some importers.  Other Jira, CSV, Trello and JSON are the four I can remember are automatically available on Cloud, but there are apps that add more (see https://marketplace.atlassian.com/search?hosting=cloud&product=jira&query=import )

The more long-in-the-tooth here might also look at intermediate steps.  I have done things like "fire up a Jira server old enough to have database importers for legacy systems, import from Redmine/Bugzilla/Fogbugz/etc, upgrade to latest Jira version, migrate it to Cloud".  Hard work, but often better than trying to extract the raw data and convert it to a format Cloud Jira can import well.

[John Tucci]

Nic:

   Thanks for the response. We're on ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus and I'm evaluating Jira via the Free version to have a Kanban board. I'm migrating one of our software teams from ticket-based to Kanban. I've used Jira in the past and it's quite well suited to our current/future needs/direction. Trying to get enough details in place to present to management for the decision.

   I will check with our ServiceDesk administrator to find out about database export & formats. 

   Really appreciate your time/interest to provide info.

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

Oh, ManageEngine is not one I have worked with before, so yes, my third instinct is to look at the export options.   The second is to see if any of the ME docs mention Jira (or Jira docs mention ME, but all I've found there is "what can it export that we could read")

First instinct is to poke people like @Liam Green who I know have worked with ME before and know a load more than I do.

[Liam Green]

@Nic Brough -Adaptavist- worked with is a strong term! 

If I'm honest, when we made the move we decided that we weren't going to import most of it. What we did import I did through the Jira importer using csv and mapping the fields in Jira. ME did a full export for us though as back up.

My only real advice is to test, test and test again

[John Tucci]

@Nic Brough _Adaptavist_ Thanks for bringing Liam into this!

Liam: My thanks to you for jumping in. You bring up a good point...we don't NEED to port everything from ServiceDesk. From what you wrote, I gather that Jira has an integrated CSV importer?? I'm hoping...

We should probably just export those ME/ServiceDesk (SD) items that are relevant to our Kanban effort, then migrate the rest as we close them in SD and have users open new issues in Jira.

Great help!!! Much appreciated.

[Liam Green]

@John Tucci it does have a csv importer, yes. 

We actually imported a few months worth of tickets - but yes, I would suggest only importing what you need. 

I should also point out that we only imported service desk tickets 

[John Tucci]

@Liam Green I am waaayy glad to hear that you imported ServiceDesk tickets!! I have hearsay evidence that it works!!! I'm hoping that this fact carries enough weight with my management for them to pull the trigger on Jira.

Have you used any other Atlassian products, like Confluence? I used Jira & Confluence during my tenure at Intel. We're using SharePoint for collaboration now, but I'm not really a big fan. Unfortunately, it's been a few years since I used Confluence so I don't remember the specifics. But reading the description at the Atlassian website makes me think it would be a highly useful complement to Jira.

Thanks, again.

[Liam Green]

Always happy to cheer someone up!

We did use Confluence too, but were quite limited. Mainly it was used as a knowledge base - but then I did expand it to include reporting on change request tickets.

There is lots of literature out there on how great and versatile it is though 

[John Tucci]

@Liam Green : How do I access the Jira CSV file importer? I'm using the Free cloud version, but I don't see anywhere obvious to import??? Sorry for the pesky questions.

[Liam Green]

@John Tucci  - apologies for the delay.  If you click 'Create' then 'Import Issues' at the top, you will be able to bulk import.

There is also a helpful article from Atlassian here that should help.

[John Tucci]

I'm going to owe you a case of something...you've been invaluable. Imported my first CSV file...now just have to hack away at field-mapping, etc. to get Issues configured. But we're well on our way...thanks to you and this Community.

[John Tucci]

@Liam Green : It is I...again. I have some CSV import questions, but I can't share the CSV file excerpt or the Jira log file entries here. Is there a way to directly communicate? My work email is: JTucci@megabytesystems.com if you're OK with direct email.