SCADA offers many powerful features in the area of alarm processing. Alarms can be structured in alarm hierarchies that can be nested as required and enriched with additional process information at runtime. Functions such as resetting, deactivating, suppressing, acknowledging and commenting are available for the management of alarms in SCADA applications, which can be executed by the operator as well as by the runtime system itself.
Thanks to the OPC UA-based approach and a wide range of available OPC UA services, KiSoft SCADA is a true communication talent when it comes to distributing data. Using OPC UA as an interface, SCADA obtains process data, alarm information and historical data directly from connected data sources. This data is further processed in the form of calculations or aggregations and forwarded to higher-level systems via OPC UA. Systems implemented in this way remain synchronized throughout the overall architecture without any loss of information or interface adaptations.
What SCADA offers
All data in the right place
Through a central data hub with a variety of available interfaces.
Creating value from data
Generate additional information through powerful data processing features.
Openness
Simple connection to other systems through open interfaces.
The term SCADA stands for “Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition”. These more or less complex network control systems monitor, control and optimize technical processes in automated industrial plants or supply facilities.
A SCADA system typically includes a combination of software and hardware elements, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and remote terminal units (RTUs). Data collection begins with the PLCs and RTUs, which communicate with the production equipment at plant level, including production machines and sensors. The data collected is then transferred to the next level up, such as a control room, where operators can monitor the PLCs and RTUs using human-machine interfaces (HMIs). HMIs are an important part of SCADA systems as they allow operators to communicate with the SCADA system.
With SCADA systems, companies can control their industrial processes either locally or remotely and interact directly and centrally with all components such as motors, actuators and sensors. Occasionally, these systems can also be used to control plants automatically if a corresponding data basis is available. In addition, SCADA systems allow companies to monitor and document their processes using real-time data and archive the data for subsequent processing and evaluation.
SCADA and HMI are often mentioned in the same context and sometimes even synonymously. However, they are not the same thing, even if they are both part of the same system. So what is SCADA in the HMI environment?
An HMI interface is part of the higher-level SCADA system with the individual PLCs, RTUs and other functions. The HMI allows operators to interact with the SCADA system, while the higher-level SCADA system handles the collection and storage of data and the actual control of the equipment. HMIs usually have screens and, ideally, user-friendly dashboards and controls. Graphics and visualization methods are often used to make it easier to use and understand data and functions.
