Feature SCADA & Data Acquisition


Differentiators in SCADA systems T


The market leading brands involved in the supply of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems are attempting to differentiate themselves from one another in the market place, as Tycon Automation explain


hese companies are making a determined move away from the old days of basic clunky inter- faces, bitmap graphics, endless database entries and reams of script- ing. They are striving to keep in touch with the fast pace of the ever changing available technology into a newer age with a fresher, sharper look and feel, promoting the ease of the in-house integration process. The drive for simplicity, a focus on a user friendly interface and the overall integrated approach to development and modification of a SCADA system is extremely attrac- tive to the end user. This is largely down to removing some of the mys- tery surrounding SCADA integra- tion - allowing projects to be engineered ‘in-house’ - and remov- ing the perceived expense of a sys- tems integrator. From what Tycon Automation has seen of the market leaders there is such a rush to differentiate that they are all doing much of the same activ- ity to provide that difference. In essence effectively all doing a similar thing with the net result being very little differentiation at all, save one or two exceptions. There are many preaching that this advent of newer SCADA technology and simplified development interfaces will see an end in the use of systems integrators to develop SCADA systems. However, Tycon Automation firmly believe that the experience and competence of a systems integra- tion partner, to be able to advise the end user on their particular require- ments, is of vital importance. To pro- vide innovative and flexible solutions and be able to integrate almost any control system technol- ogy under one banner still remains the stand-out benefit.


Speaking from first hand experi- ences with a few inherited plant SCADA systems that Tycon Automation support, there is a notable difference between a well engineered system and one that is simply functional. You can always tell the standard of integrator that has worked on a project, especially when you have to diagnose and support the system concerned. Very few end users with no SCADA


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system or even a modest existing SCADA system actually comprehend what a powerful tool they have at their disposal, one that could be rev- olutionised with the right partner.


Cost or investment


The engineering value provided by the systems integration partner comes at a price. This cost, or as you could call it, this investment in the integration process, is usually one of the issues to be addressed. As with any expenditure incurred in any industry today, espe- cially in the current economic climate, it is typical to be asked the tangible benefits and return on investment that will be made. Tycon Automation has certainly seen an increase in the amount of data acquisition requirements from its new and existing customers. With the hot boardroom topic of energy data there are relatively simple modifications that can be made in order to release this data from the plant room floor to the boardroom. This can be carried out through conventional historical trends or through more complex web-based reporting mechanisms. There are solu- tions available to integrate these stan- dard and bespoke requirements into the SCADA platform.


Some of the SCADA systems Tycon Automation has engineered provide the most value to the end user with not only the convenience of a SCADA, but a real time telemetry system embedded in the same platform. This is achieved through advances in distributed IO and wireless communication technology. With high availability systems for water produc- tions including redundant control sys-


Above and below: the mystery


surrounding SCADA integration has largely been removed, thus allowing projects to be engineered in-house


tems and SCADA servers, the possibili- ties with a good partner are endless. This removes the expense of the admin- istration and capital expenditure associ- ated with a traditional telemetry outstation approach. We have also developed additional functions not nor- mally associated with a SCADA system such as maintenance events and records, on call systems, SMS telemetry alerts and voice telemetry alerts. The benefits of having logged fault reports for each and every device, is the accountability embedded in the system to inform you who changed what, where and when. Also mobile capability either via a laptop or wire- less tablet and remote access for sup- port are just some of the benefits that can be achieved with a systems inte- gration partner.


Providing a direct payback relating to say an investment in a SCADA develop- ment is a lot more involved. However, as there is not a standard list to quantify the benefits, nor is there a standard for- mula for which to calculate the pay- back. Very often the investment in automation is overlooked.


Why should this lack of informa- tion be a barrier to improved efficien- cies, process data and a more useable control system that delivers benefits that the end user desires?


Your choice of partner and the working relationship you develop will be the differentiator. Manufacturers and their products and software packages will come and go over time, as they are focused with jostling for market share. The one attribute that will continue to develop and deliver benefits will be your relationship with your systems integration partner.


Tycon Automation www.tyconautomation.co.uk T: 01978 855 662


Enter 214 JUNE 2013 Automation


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