SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)

Earlier PLCs use to be black boxes. You program the PLC, download the program in it, and it will run for years. But the problem with this was that you really don’t know what is happening inside the PLC. Now a days automation system contains PLCs and SCADA software. If you use PLC & SCADA combination the advantages you have is you have better monitoring and control of the plant and also you have access to the information the way you want. SCADA enables engineers, supervisors, managers and operators to view and interact with the workings of entire operations through graphical representation of their production process.

SCADA runs on a PC and is generally connected to various PLCs and other peripheral devices. It enables you to generate applications for the most demanding requirements of plant engineers, operators, supervisors and managers tailored precisely to the needs of each plant. SCADA constantly gathers data from the plant in real-time, stores and processes it in the database, evaluates and generates alarms, displays information to plant operators, supervisors and managers and can issue instructions to PLCs on the plant floor.

Usefulness of SCADA:

Production Dept

• Real time production status: manufacturing status is updated in real time in direct communication to operator and control device
• Production schedules: production schedules can be viewed and updated directly
• Production information mgt.: production specific information is distributed to all

Quality Dept

• Data integrity and quality control is improved by using a common interface
• It is an open platform for statistical analysis
• Consolidation of manufacturing & lab data

Maintenance Dept

• Improved troubleshooting and de-bugging: direct connection to wide variety of devices, displays improves troubleshooting reduces diagnostic/ debugging time
• Plant can be viewed remotely. Notification can include pagers, e-mails, and phones.
• Co-ordination between maintenance and mgt. reduces unscheduled downtime.

Enterprise information

• Corporate information and real time production data can be gathered and viewed from anywhere within your operations
• User specific information ensures better informed decisions
• Data exchange with standard databases and Enterprise systems provides integrated information solutions

Engineering Dept

• Integrated Automation solutions reduce design and configuration time
• Common configuration platform offers flexibility for constant configuration in all areas
• Capable of connecting to wide variety of systems. Reduces start up time and system training with industry proven open interfaces.

Manufacturing Dept

• Unscheduled down time is reduced due swift alarm detection and event driven information
• Makes operations easier and more repeatable with its real time functionality
• Secured real time operation are maintained with windows