Your Databases,
Running Themselves.
SMF automates the complex, time-consuming management tasks that keep your database systems performing, available, secure, and well-governed: backup and recovery, access control, performance tuning, data governance, and more.
Database Automation, Built from Experience
SMF was built originally for Netezza and has been running reliably in production for years, automating the processes that keep database systems performing at their best: backup and disaster recovery, access control synchronisation, performance tuning, governance, and data lifecycle management.
We are now porting SMF to a modern web-based Control Studio and applying our knowledge and experience to other database platforms, starting with PostgreSQL and Oracle, with further platforms to follow.
The result: better uptime, better performance, stronger security, and a far smaller administrative burden on your data team.
SMF is included free in our Managed Support tier Interested in SMF for another platform? Join the waitlistSee It in Action
The SMF Control Studio
What SMF Does for Your Systems
Each module targets a distinct area of database management. They can be deployed individually or together as a complete management suite, controlled through the SMF Control Studio web interface.
Backup, Recovery, and Replication
Configurable backup policies protect your databases with automated scheduling, multiple target destinations, and retention management. For systems that require near-zero downtime, SMF maintains a continuously synchronised hot standby using incremental replication, so recovery from hardware or software failure is measured in minutes rather than hours. Your standby system can also carry read-heavy workloads to maximise throughput and concurrency on your primary.
Access Control
Automates the synchronisation of users, groups, and permissions across your entire database estate using your existing enterprise Single Sign-On or Identity Access Management system as the single source of truth. Supports multi-domain Active Directory, Entra ID, and LDAP directories. Includes drift detection with configurable auto-remediation: if a permission is changed directly on a database, SMF detects the drift and either alerts or automatically corrects it.
Data Curation
Manages the lifecycle of ageing data automatically. As detailed data ages beyond configurable thresholds, Data Curation aggregates it in place, archives the original detailed records to a Lakehouse or other file system for slower retrieval if needed in future, and then removes the originals from the database. Data quality checks are applied continuously as part of the curation pipeline, keeping your databases lean and your data trustworthy without manual housekeeping.
Data Governance
Monitors database activity continuously, detecting and reporting suspicious or unusual behaviour in real time. Pre-defined governance rules are evaluated against actual database usage patterns, and stakeholders are alerted automatically when those rules are breached. Provides the audit trail and enforcement layer that regulated industries need for compliance, without requiring your data team to manually review activity logs.
SuperTuning
Analyses your database workload to identify exactly which objects need attention, then performs only the necessary tuning operations. Unlike blanket statistics collection or scheduled reorganisation routines that waste resources touching objects that do not need attention, SuperTuning targets its effort precisely, maximising query performance with minimal system overhead. Runs continuously in the background, adapting as your workload changes.
Event Manager
Provides a centralised event processing layer across all SMF modules. Monitors system and database events in real time, triggers configurable alerts, and fires automated remediation actions where appropriate. Ensures your team is notified of issues before they become outages, and that routine corrective actions happen without human intervention.
What SMF Delivers for Your Organisation
MTTR Measured in Minutes
With SMF maintaining a live hot standby via continuous replication, recovery from hardware or software failure takes minutes rather than the hours required by conventional backup and restore procedures.
No More Manual Access Sync
Eliminate the risk of data exposure from stale access credentials. Smart Access Control keeps your database permissions continuously aligned with your corporate identity directory, with drift detection and auto-remediation built in.
Peak Query Performance, Automatically
SuperTuning identifies exactly which objects need attention and performs only the necessary operations, maximising query performance without the overhead of blanket statistics collection or reorganisation routines.
Governance and Compliance, Automated
Data Governance monitors database activity continuously, detecting unusual behaviour and alerting stakeholders automatically when governance rules are breached. Data Curation enforces lifecycle rules in the background. No additional staff effort required.
Get SMF Free with Netezza Support Plus
Smart Associates is the only independent Netezza support provider to include the full Smart Management Frameworks suite at no additional charge in our Managed Support tier. You get expert break/fix support and continuous system automation for a single flat-rate fee.
View Support TiersManaged Support includes all of:
- 9×5 or 24×7 expert break/fix support
- Remote hardware support and on-site cover
- Scheduled health checks and performance reviews
- Backup, Recovery, and Replication
- Smart Access Control
- Data Governance and Data Curation
- SuperTuning
- Event Manager with automated alerting
- Optional advisory and development services
Learn More About SMF
SMF Brochure
Download the Smart Management Frameworks product brochure for a complete overview of all modules.
Download PDFReplication Intro Video
Watch a short introduction to Smart Database Replication, covering disaster recovery and workload distribution use cases.
Watch VideoGovernance Video
See how the Data Governance module monitors database query activity and flags governance rule violations automatically.
Watch VideoGet Started
Ready to Try Smart Management Frameworks?
Start with a free community licence, explore pricing options, or request a tailored enterprise quote. SMF is also included free with our Managed Support tier.
Have questions? Get in touch
Expanding Platform Support
SMF for Your Database Platform
SMF has been running on Netezza for years. We are now bringing the same automation capabilities to PostgreSQL, Oracle, Databricks, Snowflake, Redshift, and other platforms. Join the waitlist to be notified when SMF is available for your preferred database, or get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Takes under a minute – just your name and email; everything else is optional. You will get an immediate confirmation, and we will notify you the moment SMF is available for your platform.
Your data is processed by Smart Associates Limited in accordance with our Privacy Policy and will never be shared with third parties.
Want to discuss licensing or suitability? Contact us directly
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
- What is the Smart Management Framework (SMF) from Smart Associates?
The Smart Management Framework (SMF) is a modular software platform from Smart Associates for IBM Netezza database management. It provides six modules covering backup and recovery, access control, data curation, data governance, performance tuning (SuperTuning), and event management — all running within the Netezza environment.
- What modules are included in the Smart Management Framework?
SMF from Smart Associates includes six modules: Backup and Recovery (with Replication), Smart Access Control, Data Curation, Data Governance (SuperGovernance), SuperTuning, and Event Manager. Each module addresses a specific operational domain of Netezza management.
- Does the Smart Management Framework support databases other than IBM Netezza?
SMF currently ships on IBM Netezza (PDA and Hammerhead). Smart Associates is expanding platform support to include PostgreSQL, Oracle, and Databricks. Check smart-associates.biz/products/smf/ for the latest platform availability.
- What does the SMF Backup and Recovery module do?
The SMF Backup and Recovery module provides automated, policy-driven backup management for IBM Netezza. It schedules and executes backups, manages retention policies, verifies backup integrity, and supports restoration workflows — providing comprehensive data protection beyond Netezza’s native backup commands.
- What is the SMF Event Manager?
The SMF Event Manager monitors Netezza system events — such as backup failures, replication errors, hardware alerts, and query anomalies — and generates notifications or triggers automated responses. It provides an operational alerting layer that Netezza does not include natively.
- How does SMF Data Governance differ from SMF Data Curation?
SMF Data Governance (SuperGovernance) manages access policies, regulatory compliance (GDPR, HIPAA), and audit reporting for data in Netezza. SMF Data Curation manages the data itself — automated GROOM scheduling, data lifecycle policies, and storage hygiene — keeping the database performing well over time.
- Is the Smart Management Framework a web-based application?
Yes. Smart Associates SMF is delivered as a web-based management application that runs against the Netezza system. Administrators access it through a browser without installing desktop tools or using the Netezza command line for managed operations.
- Can SMF modules be licensed individually or only as a bundle?
Smart Associates SMF modules can be licensed individually or as a bundle. Contact Smart Associates to discuss which combination of modules suits your operational requirements and budget. Modules are also available bundled with Netezza Support Plus contracts.
- How does SMF improve Netezza backup reliability compared to native tools?
SMF’s Backup and Recovery module adds policy-driven scheduling, integrity verification, and alerting on top of Netezza’s native backup capability. Rather than relying on cron jobs and manual monitoring, SMF provides a managed backup pipeline with visibility into backup history and recovery readiness.
- Does SMF require changes to the Netezza database schema or applications?
No. Smart Associates SMF operates at the database administration level, managing system configuration, access, maintenance, and monitoring. It does not modify application schemas, stored procedures, or data. Existing applications continue to run unchanged.
- What kind of organisations use the Smart Management Framework?
Smart Associates SMF is used by enterprise organisations running IBM Netezza in production-critical roles — typically in financial services, retail, telecommunications, and healthcare — where Netezza management needs to be automated, auditable, and aligned with regulatory requirements.
- How is SMF deployed to a Netezza environment?
Smart Associates handles SMF deployment as part of the onboarding process. Contact Smart Associates via smart-associates.biz/products/smf/ or through a Netezza Support Plus enquiry to discuss deployment requirements and timelines for your environment.