Top 10 Key Features Shaping The Future of Next Generation SCADA Systems

Kymera

March 13, 2018

A while ago we discussed what SCADA is and how it affects the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Today, we want to expand this topic by highlighting the top 10 features that we, at Kymera Systems, believe will shape the next gen SCADA systems.

With the role of SCADA systems changing within the industry, it becomes essential that managers of different levels become familiar with the software’s features that will become a necessity for their business. Innovation leaders agree that nextgen SCADA will revamp several areas of the digital manufacturing data flow:

  • Data management
  • Energy management
  • Information flow management
  • Communications
  • Diagnostics

For you, as a decision-maker, all the bullets from above mean the ability to make swift data-driven decisions on how to improve your production process. Without SCADA this would be nearly impossible. You can only imagine what it would mean for your business… Thus, we go back to the top 10 key features that shape the future of SCADA systems.

1. Portability

One of the best features of the SCADA systems is the seamless data flow. You have the ability to access data from the plant floor from any smart device so long as you have internet connection. This allows businesses, government officials, and even individuals to make informed, data-driven and prompt decisions about how to optimize their workflow.

Ultimately, the use-cases boil down to digitization, optimization and visibility of the enterprise that implements SCADA and its manufacturing environment.

2. Scalability

When you use a computer and you need your device to perform a new task, what is the first thing you do? You look for a software that can help your machine complete the assignment. Something that can expand the computer’s capabilities. You don’t immediately go and buy a new computer just because your machine can’t accomplish the job right away. That would not be cost-effective.

With SCADA systems, you can apply the same principle… just on a much bigger scale. However, expanding your system for new functionalities might not always be as easy as installing a new program. WIthout proper pre-planning, organizations might face replacing entire systems for the lack of adaptability.

That’s where scalability comes in play. Next Generation SCADA systems have the ability to expand in terms of scale and scope. You can add new connected devices, new data sources and even (if needed) reorganise the system’s structure.

3. Simple Implementation

So, we can access our data from anywhere and we can reshape our system to fit the company’s needs. What else do we need for a robust foundation?

Simplicity is something that often gets overlooked but with the rapid advance of technologies, it becomes vital. Training to both use and design a SCADA system should be straightforward and simple to understand. Otherwise the SCADA usability for a company would become very limited and costly.

Last but not least, we want to note that proper scalability should provide a foundation for simple implementations by nature. SCADA should be based on technologies that allow not only simplicity but also scalability. One perfect example for such technology is the machine-to-machine messaging protocol MQTT.

4. Versatility

Versatility of the SCADA systems is yet another feature that should be pre-planned and encoded in the core of the system. The ability to incorporate future updates smoothly and seamlessly without disturbing the workflow of the enterprise is crucial. The same goes for integrations.

A 21st-century Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system needs to be able to evolve with new technologies. Therefore, versatility is at its core.

5. Modularity

Modularity is a prerequisite for versatility. But more than that, modularity for SCADA means also cost-effectivity. A system that can be decomposed to several self-serving modules stands for “future-proof” material.

6. Usability

Once upon a time systems were created for functionality only. No one paid much attention to the user side. With the evolution of technology and with so many competitive softwares on the market, you should have a product that is easy-to-navigate from any device (laptop, desktop and even phone).

7. Backward Compatibility

Looking boldly into the future of IIoT, we have already discussed how the SCADA system will evolve – by seamlessly adapting new upgrades and integrations. However, in order to move forward, smart softwares also need to be able to communicate with less sophisticated devices.

The SCADA of the future needs to be able to work with all the assets and configuration you currently have. It should be able to communicate with them as seamlessly as with the assets being added.

8. Smart Diagnostics

One of the immense advantages of the future-proof SCADA system is the ability to feed you directly with smart data (the intelligent analysis of large amounts of data). In many use-cases around the globe this means lowered facility downtime and exclusion of costly, time-consuming inspections.

According to Siemens, thanks to smart data, precision diagnostics and advanced analytics, their engineers were able to solve 80% of the stopped turbines within ten minutes for devices set in hard-to-reach, offshore areas.

9. Logical, Commented Code Base

As SCADA is essentially a software that your in-house engineering team will need to use and maintain, it has to have logical, commented base code. Otherwise, you are set for failure before you even start operating.

Systems that don’t offer an easy-to-follow code structure, that operate with obsolete or rarely used base code can’t evolve fast enough to stay in stride with the evolution of IIoT. You have certainly witnessed a company stuck with an archaic piece of software simply somewhere along you career path. Ask yourself, would this have happened if the software had been planned with scalability in mind?

10. Rapid Development

The intelligent SCADA systems have a rapid application development (RAD) capabilities built directly in their core features. They allow users, even those without extensive programming knowledge, to design applications based on information gathered from the system. Flexible development and prototyping can reduce risk by testing difficult implementations and costs by finding problems earlier in the development cycle.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Meet Jeremy Warnock, Brave’s New Vice President of Engineering

    Meet Jeremy Warnock, Brave’s New Vice President of Engineering

    Brave Control Solutions Inc. was recently pleased to announce that Jeremy Warnock has joined the team as Vice President of Operations. Jeremy will lead the delivery teams and be responsible for services and solution delivery. Jeremy’s career started at Ford Motor Company as an engineer, then later at JMP Solutions where he served as a… Read More…

  • Westburne and Kinova Announce Groundbreaking Partnership

    Westburne and Kinova Announce Groundbreaking Partnership

    Westburne is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership that is set to redefine the landscape of collaborative robotics. Westburne has joined forces with Kinova, a global provider in robotics innovation, to deliver cutting-edge solutions that will transform industries and elevate Westburne’s commitment to technological advancement. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Westburne’s journey towards… Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Maximizing Motor Efficiency: Navigating the Impact of VFDs on Motors

    Maximizing Motor Efficiency: Navigating the Impact of VFDs on Motors

    Running a motor directly from the power source produces uniform, sinusoidal waveforms but wastes energy due to continuous speed operation regardless of the load requirements. To enhance efficiency, variable frequency drives (VFDs) control motor speed, reduce energy consumption, and minimize equipment wear. However, VFDs use pulse-width modulation (PWM) to supply electrical pulses instead of a… Read More…

  • The Path to Net Zero with Smart Building Technologies from ABB

    The Path to Net Zero with Smart Building Technologies from ABB

    By Krystie Johnston – Building operations account for 30% of global final energy consumption and 26% of global energy-related emissions. This sector, if entirely net zero, would contribute a significant percentage to reduced CO2 emissions worldwide1. In fact, technologies exist already to help buildings reach net zero today. Robert Palajsa, Territory manager for the smart… Read More…