Why is an active SMA essential for Niagara systems? + Special offer!

Lévai Krisztina
Oct 21
4 min read

Intelligent building management today is not only about comfort and energy efficiency — it has become a fundamental matter of security and regulatory compliance. Operators of networked building systems must meet increasingly strict requirements — just think of the NIS2 Directive, which mandates robust cybersecurity for critical infrastructures.

In this environment, having an active Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.

Up-to-date cybersecurity – only with an active SMA can you access the latest encryption standards, certificates, and vulnerability patches.
Long-term operational reliability – in a system with an expired SMA, even fixing a critical issue may become impossible.
Regulatory compliance – during audits, it must be demonstrated that the system runs an updated, supported version.
New features and integrations – modern drivers, cloud connectors (e.g. JSON Toolkit, HTTP Client Driver), and Niagara Analytics enhancements are only available with an active SMA.

An active SMA is therefore not just a convenience — it’s the foundation of secure, future-proof, and compliant system operation.

ESMA – Simpler, safer and more future-prrof Niagara license management

Managing Niagara licenses can often be a challenge, especially when multiple systems and different expiration dates are involved.The Tridium Enterprise Software Maintenance Agreement (ESMA) process solves exactly this problem.

ESMA consolidates all Niagara licenses — even expired ones — into a single, unified maintenance agreement, so that:

each license has a centralized bill of materials (BOM),
all licenses can be managed under one unified SMA expiration date,
quoting, renewals, and maintenance become faster and more transparent.

Why it matters?

Continuous access to the latest Niagara versions and security updates
Cybersecurity compliance and technical support from Tridium
Simplified license management, attractive discounts, and a generous grace period

For integrators:

Faster SMA renewals, the ability to assign a single ESMA for multi-vendor projects, and access to the Enterprise SMA Management Tool (ESMT).

For end users:

Unified expiration dates, easier management, and reduced administrative effort.

ESMA ensures that your Niagara system stays up-to-date, secure, and compatible — without unexpected costs or downtime.

Special opportunity!

Make the most of your SMA and future-proof your building automation:

Upgrade your JACE 8000 license to a JACE 9000!

PROMOTIONAL PERIOD: UNTIL jUNE 27, 2026

Tridium has announced a unique promotion: existing JACE 8000 licenses can be transferred to the JACE 9000 controller for a one-time transfer fee. This represents a significant cost saving compared to purchasing a completely new license.

Key benefits of the JACE 9000:

Higher performance and more memory
Support for the latest cybersecurity standards
Full compatibility with Niagara 5, arriving in 2026 (which will no longer be supported by the JACE 8000)

The promotion requires that the JACE 8000 has an active SMA, meaning that software maintenance once again plays a key role in ensuring long-term value.

The JACE 8000 has been one of the most successful controllers in Niagara-based building automation, proving its reliability and versatility worldwide.

However, building automation continues to evolve — and with the upcoming Niagara 5 release, new features and opportunities are just around the corner.

PROMOTION DETAILS:

Eligible hardware: only JACE 8000 and JACE 834 models qualify.
Active SMA required: at the time of transfer, the JACE 8000 must have a valid Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA). The SMA expiration date remains unchanged after the transfer.
New hardware purchase: a license-free JACE 9000 controller and SD card are required.
Transfer fee: each transfer is subject to a one-time transfer fee (LIC-CHG-UPG).

Why upgrade to JACE 9000?

The JACE 8000 remains a stable and fully supported solution, but the JACE 9000 has been designed to meet the requirements of the future:

Higher performance – faster processing and more memory for demanding applications.
Maximum security – protect your system and data with the latest cybersecurity standards.
Future-proof compatibility – full support for Niagara 5, arriving in summer 2026.
Seamless transition – transfer existing licenses and configurations with minimal disruption.

Get the most out of your SMA

An active SMA already gives you access to the latest updates and features. Now it offers even more — the opportunity to carry your license forward to the JACE 9000 platform, ensuring your system stays not only up to date but truly future-proof.

⏳ Don’t miss this opportunity –

unlock the full potential of your building data with the JACE 9000!

Conclusion

An active SMA ensures that Niagara systems operate safely, stay up to date, and remain compliant in the long term.

And now, it also gives you the opportunity to upgrade to the JACE 9000 at a promotional rate.

📩 If you're interested in the details or would like to know more about the promotion, feel free to contact our team!

(Source: Tridium, SmartNode Kft, Canva)

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