Atlassian packages Git aid kit for the enterprise

Attempting to further encourage the use of the Git version control software in the enterprise, developer tools provider Atlassian has released a package to help managers harness the open source application for large coding projects.

Atlassian Git Essentials provides an integrated suite of Atlassian tools to run a Git-based software development project, from initial specifications to delivery of the final product.

First developed by Linux creator Linus Torvalds, Git is a distributed revision control system (DVCS), used for managing a software development project involving multiple contributors.

Git quickly became the revision control system of choice for many open source developers, thanks to how effectively it manages large code bases that are worked on by geographically dispersed teams.

Git uses a distributed model, where a canonical copy of working code base, called the mainline, is kept on a hub, and individual developers can make copies of the code base on their own machines.

Enterprise development teams have been interested in Git, for how it can eases the development process, especially for teams that have members spread across different locations.

Many have found, however, the software doesn't provide much to help managers track how a project is progressing. Integrating Git with other enterprise-oriented application development lifecycle tools, such as continuous integration software, can also be a challenging task.

"Git is very empowering for developers, but from a management standpoint, it can be seen as controlled chaos," said Eric Wittman, Atlassian general manager. "We're trying to give the entire software team a framework to adopt Git."

The package includes:

-- Jira, for tracking work items and other project management issues.

-- Jira Agile, for time management around a project.

-- Stash, for managing in-house Git repositories.

-- BitBucket, for hosting and managing Git repositories in a Atlassian cloud service.

-- Bamboo, to automate the build workflow.

Users can also tap into the Atlassian Marketplace for additional plug-ins.

These components have been tied together so they work with one another upon installation. "The integration between the products is really deep," Wittman said. "This isn't just a packaging play."

For instance, "if a product owner creates a ticket for a new feature, the developer can see the ticket and create a new feature branch in Jira. Behind the scenes Jira can talk to Stash to create the feature branch. When the developer compiles the code using Bamboo, the developer gets an update in Stash and the product owner sees the updates happen in Jira," Wittman said.

Some large organizations have already used these components to help in their software development projects, including Boeing, Cisco Systems, LG Electronics, Southwest Airlines, Starz Entertainment and Volkswagen

A 100-seat license of the package starts at US$12,800 for on-site download or $600 per month for the hosted version on Atlassian OnDemand. A 30-day free trial is available.

Atlassian software has been used by more than 33,000 organizations of all sizes, including Citigroup, eBay, Coca-Cola, Netflix and United Airlines, according to the company.

Joab Jackson covers enterprise software and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Follow Joab on Twitter at @Joab_Jackson. Joab's e-mail address is Joab_Jackson@idg.com