Built to meet the demands of modern facility management and OT cybersecurity, this release introduces significant enhancements in remote engineering, protocol support, cyber defense, and system flexibility. Whether you're deploying large-scale systems, managing secure facilities, or integrating diverse hardware and protocols, Niagara 4.15 delivers meaningful improvements across every layer of your building infrastructure.

Engineering from Anywhere: HTML5-Based Web Tools

One of the most impactful changes in Niagara 4.15 is the introduction of HTML5 Web Views, which eliminates the dependency on Workbench for everyday tasks. With these browser-based tools, users can now:

  • Design and edit PX graphics using the new HTML5 Px Editor
  • Define and manage component relationships via the Relation Manager
  • Perform remote diagnostics, engineering, and maintenance without additional software or VPN access

These features are optimized for secure HTTPS access, allowing engineering teams to collaborate and troubleshoot across distributed environments, reducing the need for onsite visits while improving turnaround time.

Integrated Access Control with Niagara Access

Niagara 4.15 formally introduces Niagara Access, a native access control solution integrated within the Niagara ecosystem. This unified platform allows building and security teams to manage environmental systems and physical access controls from a single interface.

Key highlights include:

  • Native badge design and printing from Niagara Supervisor
  • Browser-based photo capture and card creation workflows
  • Support for multiple access control standards, including OSDP and Wiegand
  • Compatibility with TCP/IP smart controllers, POE-powered options, and multi-class readers

Niagara Access is built on an open framework developed in partnership with Z9 Security, ensuring long-term adaptability and interoperability with verified hardware vendors.

Enhanced Protocol Support and Interoperability

Niagara 4.15 deepens its support for leading automation and monitoring protocols, enabling more flexible integrations across diverse systems:

  • Modbus: Enhanced support for 48-bit unsigned long data types and optimized register polling
  • OPC UA: New bi-directional point types and extended support for complex client arrays
  • SNMP: Expanded export configurations and improved table indexing visibility
  • BACnet: Implementation of BACnet Protocol Revision 18, including:
    • Value Source visibility on writable points
    • Network Port Object support
    • Continued alignment with ASHRAE 135 standards

These updates improve interoperability in both IT-centric environments and legacy-heavy deployments, reinforcing Niagara’s role as a unifying control platform.

Cybersecurity: Defense in Depth

Cyber defense is no longer optional, especially in critical infrastructure. Niagara 4.15 includes multiple features that align with modern IT security expectations:

  • Common Access Card (CAC) authentication in-browser using PKI-based identity verification
  • User Login History: View account activity to monitor and audit access
  • Encrypted, salted, and hashed passwords in backup and bog files, mitigating offline compromise risks

These enhancements are designed to support regulated environments and enterprises with strict authentication and audit requirements.

Streamlined Connectivity and Deployment

Connectivity remains a cornerstone of Niagara’s value. Niagara 4.15 adds several features that improve communication across constrained or IT-restricted environments:

  • Fox over WebSocket: A new option for station-to-station communication when traditional Fox ports are unavailable or blocked by firewall policies
  • kitControl refresh: Incorporation of new CDL-aligned control blocks in compliance with ASHRAE 231P
  • Wi-Fi support for JACE-9000: Enabling wireless connectivity in flexible deployment scenarios

Together, these updates allow Niagara-based systems to be deployed more easily in complex network topologies, including retrofit and edge computing environments.

Compliance & Platform Maturity

To support long-term system reliability and regulatory readiness, Niagara 4.15 introduces platform-wide compliance improvements:

  • QNX 7.1 upgrade for JACE-8000 and Edge-10
  • BACnet B-BC and AWS profiles for Supervisor
  • Certification alignment with BACnet Protocol Revision 18
  • Updated release cadence for structured LTS planning and deployment

These features reinforce Niagara’s readiness for mission-critical applications in energy, commercial real estate, government, and industrial sectors.

Release Timeline & Adoption

Niagara 4.15 became generally available in March 2024, with ongoing update cycles (u1–u3) delivering refinements throughout the year. Adoption is recommended for:

  • Organizations seeking modernized engineering workflows
  • Facilities requiring tight cybersecurity policies
  • Integrators working with diverse third-party hardware ecosystems
  • Customers migrating to remote-first operations

As the demands on building systems continue to evolve, Niagara 4.15 stands out as a mature, forward-looking platform—equipped to handle everything from seamless remote engineering to robust cybersecurity and complex protocol integration. Whether you're upgrading existing infrastructure or deploying a new solution, Niagara 4.15 provides the tools, flexibility, and security needed to future-proof your operations. With its open framework and expanding ecosystem, it's more than a software update—it's the foundation for the next generation of intelligent building control.

Additional Resources