Jira Server - Typical Setup & Maintenance Costs?

[keevo_tan]

I currently use Jira Cloud but am looking into Jira Server for its customization ability. 

I'm wondering - what are the typical "bare minimum" setup & maintenance costs for this? (I am just starting out with dev team of 2 programmers currently)

Does Jira have an official "team" that I can just pay to monitor my server and keep it running properly? 

Or do I need to find my own random programmers for it? 

Thanks!

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Accepted solution]

On the hosting side, look to the Atlassian partners - many of them do Server (and DC) hosting.  The minumum service you'll see from them is "we run server for you, take care of up-time, backups, recovery", but most offer additional stuff on top, regular upgrades on your schedule, SLAs, application support ranging from helping out with complex customisation right the way down to providing day-to-day admin.

[Grigory Salnikov]

Hello @keevo_tan !

The TCO of Server is usually higher because you're dealing not only with the software itself but with server/host OS. To configure it correctly and get ready to install the software upon it usually requires a system administrator. And if something goes wrong with the server it's your (or your administrator's) concern to cope with it.

To tell the truth, there's nothing outstandingly hard for an average administrator to have the Jira Server up and running, make backups, and so on. But you should definitely have one to look after your instance. 

As you have a small team you could purchase a virtual server with the minimal technical requirements:

https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver073/jira-applications-installation-requirements-861253014.html

it shouldn't be too expensive.

[Grigory Salnikov]

Forgot to mention, I used to have a small server instance of Jira Software myself for testing and playing-around purposes and the overall price was more than comfortable (mostly it was the VDS subscription).

[keevo_tan]

Thanks for the info. 

What do you think are the main things people want to "customize" in Jira?

(Hence why they would use Jira Server to begin with...)

[Grigory Salnikov]

From my experience I can tell that having a full access to the database could provide more in-depth look into some issues that may arise and helps with deeper understanding of the product. One can look through logs, query the DB. It proved especially useful when using and configuring some apps for more flexibility and features. I use Server more often and I'm completely satisfied. If you have a small team though and limited administrative resources the Cloud could be preferable.  

[Andrew Laden]

A number of add-ons only work in Server instances becuase of the database access or other feature not available in cloud.

[Grigory Salnikov]

Yes, so true 

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

Two caveats on database access:

1. It should be read only almost all of the time.  Write should only happen when fixing something that cannot be fixed in the UI, and only when the system is shut down.
2. It should not be used for reporting, ever