A SCADA software system enables its users to gain detailed access to their network while also controlling the platform. But the challenge remains for users, owing to the complexity of the overwhelming number of data and controls presented. In this article, learn some of the essential tips to improve your SCADA software handling process.
What is SCADA Software?
SCADA, which stands for supervisory control and data acquisition, is a set of software and hardware systems that enable industrial institutions to perform various management systems. Under the SCADA microscope, industrial organizations can:
- Manage industrial developments even in remote locations
- Control and interact with types of equipment like sensors, motors, pumps, and valves
- Execute and utilize real-time data anytime
- Record events via log system
It’s essential to realize the critical role that SCADA systems provide to help industrial agencies establish efficiency in processing data. Moreover, this software also helps communicate system concerns and enables you to maximize outputs in a short period.
The SCADA software allows processing, distributing, and displaying data to relieve operators and employees from difficult circumstances. The software’s architecture launches through programmable logic controllers or remote terminal units. These microcomputers can communicate with various tools such as HMIs, sensors, and factory machines and connect the data to SCADA software-operated computers.
Who Uses SCADA?
Typically, industrial organizations in public and private offices use SCADA software systems to achieve efficient outcomes. With SCADA’s help, these institutions can make smart decisions in data distribution and mitigate downtime if there are communication system issues. Owing to SCADA’sSCADA’s conducive measures, it is considered the fortitude of emerging industries which includes the following:
- Manufacturing
- Water and wastewater
- Transportation
- Pumping stations
- Service companies
- Energy
- Food and beverage
- Power
- Oil and Gas
- Recycling
In the modern landscape, a vast majority of SCADA systems can also be seen running behind the scenes and serve as the backbone of an industry. Almost anywhere you look, you’re almost sure that SCADA systems are getting utilized.
Tips to Improve Your SCADA Software
The emergence of SCADA software has seen many industrial companies improve their monitoring and controlling equipment and processes. The software’s role involves gathering and processing data from different networked devices and sensors to give industries an outlook of their production process.
With this, read about SCADA software tips to operate your production process effectively.
- Improving Situational Awareness
SCADA system is primarily designed to cater to organizations for a sterling overview of the system status on-demand. Concerning this aspect, one thing that should be developed by operators is their situational awareness. Note that monitoring personnel must assess and familiarize themselves with every situation at hand.
To be aware at all times, make sure that your control system can give you a view of real-time updates. You can focus on displaying relevant and vital details to let your staff know what should be prioritized in the present time.
- Critical Utilization of Security
Whether from internet or internal sources, SCADA software systems sometimes get derailed by interruptions. If there’s a compromise, it also emphasizes the vitality of protecting the SCADA system against potential threats such as unauthorized users and hackers. It even further points to the importance of committing your organization to improve the security system.
- Standardization
Considering that SCADA software manages various sites, it’s essential to implement systems that produce consistency in varying areas. In achieving this feat, standardization of interfaces and processes will significantly lessen the hassle of systematic procedures and elevate the effectiveness. Note that utilizing standardized developments for the SCADA system can help industries attain full compliance with the standard protocol.
- Operating Expenses
Another significant aspect involving the development of SCADA is the probable operating costs. Acknowledge that to achieve your SCADA system’s full potential, and extra expenses also take into account. Among the aspects that would cost you include training, upgrades, technical support, and connections. By taking note of these possibilities, you can expect more significant outcomes ahead for your management.
- Alarm Management
Putting a compelling priority on alarms generated by SCADA is a pivotal key to pinpoint and deal with systemic issues as they occur. It’sIt’s essential that operators are quick to identify the alarm source as fast and efficient as it should. Also, make sure to utilize a standardized system for identifying alarm sources.
However, the specification and composition of alarms are created differently. And it shouldn’t consume too much time to process and distinguish alarms from other possible warnings and distractions that may derail your operations. Fortunately, there are recommendations in the industry regarding color usage and aggregation to identify the notice and find the problems that need to be addressed.
- Integration
Your business will often require the same data that your SCADA system implements with its utilization and storage of sensors and controls. With that, you must consider integrating so the data is automatically shared and won’t mandate you to switch to a manual instrument to transfer. While reentering data from one storage to another remains an option, there are risks of error and inefficient time usage accounted for that action.
Simplifying SCADA and Lift Station’s Correlation
SCADA software systems and lift stations are intertwined with one another. The water distribution and wastewater collection systems generally cover a wide geographic area that makes several locations unreached and requires remote tracking. Considering the situation, lift stations implement SCADA software systems to execute the monitoring functions. The system also helps operators develop efficient solutions in dealing with issues.
Even so, wastewater collection systems are deprived of gravity, leading to the probability of managing water that’s already used and contaminated. And in these situations, lift stations often generate the needed pressure to move the water to treatment plants, which is one of the benefits of a lift station.
It must also be accounted that lift stations carry a handful of sensor and instrument field devices in its system to collect information and data. An individual sensor would determine if a motor is working or not, if a process variable hit its limit point, or if a valve is open or closed. On the other hand, instruments contain a composite measurement system of analog variables, which involves the flow, temperature, level, and pressure.