Do You Need an Active SMA to Move to Niagara 5?
Page date October 30, 2026. Sources read October 30, 2026. This is a dated snapshot; we refresh it weekly.
Short answer: Yes. Tridium's current N5 FAQ (PDF dated June 24, 2026) says: "Eligible N4 devices, including Supervisors and JACE-9000, will require active SMA to move to Niagara 5." The JACE-8000 has no N5 path. The current FAQ does not mention a migration fee. Older Tridium documents say "An additional migration fee may be required" (see the table below). Niagara 5 GA is targeted for December 2026 and is not announced as of October 30, 2026.
Supervisors
"Eligible Niagara Supervisors and JACE-9000 controllers with active SMA will have a defined migration path to Niagara 5." Tridium's guidance: "Keep software maintenance agreement (SMA) active on eligible assets." Source: N5 FAQ (PDF dated June 24, 2026).
JACE-9000, and why not JACE-8000
"N4 JACE-9000 systems with active SMA will be eligible for the Niagara 5 migration path." For the JACE-8000: "WILL THE JACE-8000 BE UPGRADABLE TO NIAGARA 5? No". Source: N5 FAQ (PDF dated June 24, 2026). See JACE-8000 end of life.
The JACE-8000 to 9000 Migration FAQ (August 2025) says a JACE-8000 to 9000 license transfer does not install N5: "Does this license transfer automatically place Niagara 5 on my JACE 9000? No". The current FAQ says the transfer offer ran "through June 26, 2026", so it has ended.
If your SMA has lapsed
The JACE-8000 to 9000 Migration FAQ (August 2025) says: "Licenses with an SMA expiry date in the past will not enable the migration process (or allow the license to receive any software updates.)" We found no source on renewing a lapsed SMA. Ask your distributor.
Is there a migration fee?
| Current N5 FAQ (June 24, 2026) | Older sources | Note |
|---|---|---|
| No mention of a migration fee. | "An additional migration fee may be required." (July 2025 N5 FAQ (distributor copy); JACE-8000 to 9000 Migration FAQ, August 2025) | Not resolved. No source we read gives an amount. Confirm with Tridium or your distributor. |
Is SMA on a JACE-8000 a waste?
Tridium says: "No. It is not a waste of money. Niagara 4.15 is currently planned to remain supported through 2028, and active SMA preserves migration flexibility for eligible Niagara 5 paths such as Supervisors and JACE-9000." Tridium also says: "Yes, you will be able to purchase an SMA for N4 JACEs and Supervisors after the N4 EOL date." Source: N5 FAQ (PDF dated June 24, 2026).
Workbench
"Workbench packaging is evolving in the Niagara 5 era, including a Premium option"; "Existing customers will have a transition period". Source: N5 FAQ (PDF dated June 24, 2026).
Wording that changed
| Item | Current N5 FAQ (June 2026) | July 2025 FAQ |
|---|---|---|
| Why keep SMA | "active SMA preserves migration flexibility for eligible Niagara 5 paths" | "an active SMA will be required to upgrade N4 stations to N5 for the J9000 and Supervisors" |
| 4.15 support | "updates through Q3 of 2028" (LTS answer); "through 2028" (SMA answer) | "will continue to be supported and updated through 2028" |
Timeline
N5 GA is a December 2026 target, not yet announced. See Niagara 5 release date and Should you move to Niagara 5 now?
Questions
Do I need an active SMA for Niagara 5?
Yes, for eligible Supervisors and JACE-9000 units, per Tridium's current FAQ.
Is there a migration fee?
The current FAQ doesn't say. Earlier Tridium documents say one "may be required". No amount is published in the sources we read.
Does a JACE-8000 to 9000 license transfer install N5?
No, per the Migration FAQ.
Can I buy SMA after N4 reaches end of life?
Yes, per the current FAQ.
Still to verify: whether a migration fee still applies. The July 2025 FAQ was read from a distributor's copy, not a Tridium address. The Migration FAQ (August 2025) may have been replaced since.
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