When it comes to your company, it only makes sense that you would want it to be as efficient and reliable as possible. In a time where instant access and an immediate connection are more prevalent than ever, it can be difficult, if not detrimental, to your business if your production begins to lag or fall behind. Ensuring that your output is constantly maximized can allow your company to flourish, as customers and clients realize that you can be depended on for accurate and constant service and products.
For those hoping to take their business to the next level, it might be worth turning to SCADA automation. Companies that specialize in instrumentation and electrical services, such as CDN Controls, are able to help you migrate to a fully optimized SCADA system without you missing a beat. Your SCADA solution can set you up for future success and ensure you are making the most out of each workday.
But what is SCADA automation? And when is such a system needed? Let’s take a look.
What Is SCADA Automation?
Short for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, SCADA is a system of software and hardware elements that are used for industrial automation. It allows organizations to:
- Control industrial processes locally or at remote locations
- Monitor, gather, and process real-time data
- Directly interact with devices such as valves, sensors, and motors
- Record events into a log file
While SCADA was originally designed to simply help allow remote access to a variety of local control modules, it has become so much more. Now one of the most commonly used types of industrial control systems, SCADA systems can control large-scale processes that span over multiple sites and large distances.
SCADA systems operate by connecting the local sensors, devices, and PLCs, which have been collecting data, to an onsite server or remote/virtual machine. These servers or machines have SCADA software installed, which allows them to process, distribute, and display the data, thus helping operators and employees to analyze the data and make decisions based on it.
Additional services that SCADA can provide include 24/7 emergency response, regulation compliance, trend recording and reporting, and data optimization.
What Are The Benefits of SCADA Automation?
SCADA systems allow companies to make smarter decisions, improve efficiency, and minimize downtime. For example, your SCADA system will quickly notify you if a certain product batch shows a high incidence of errors. Once you have paused operation, you can study the data that SCADA provides you to determine which machine was malfunctioning. Therefore, SCADA decreases any potential product loss while also increasing the rate at which you are able to find the source of the problem.
SCADA also presents the opportunity for reduced operating costs and heightened security over your production systems.
Which Industries Use SCADA Automation?
SCADA systems are used by various industrial organizations in both the public and private sector to control and maintain efficiency, distribute data to allow workers to make smarter decisions, and communicate system issues to lessen any downtime. These systems are able to be successful in a range of different types of enterprises due to their versatility and customizable design solutions. This means you can personalize your SCADA system to ensure it operates in a way that makes the most sense for your company, whether you require a smaller configuration or a complex installation.
Industries that have SCADA integrated into their operating procedures include:
- Energy
- Food and beverage
- Oil and gas
- Recycling
- Transportation
- Automation
- Manufacturing
- Power
- Water and wastewater
If you’re looking for a way to reduce waste and downtime while maximizing efficiency, then consider adding a SCADA automation system to your company.
