SCADA/IIoT
A quick historical review...
The advent of industry began circa 1776 when James Watt developed the condensing steam engine off of the back of several others prior to him. This allowed the transfer of force from a linear to a rotary motion to enable them to be used as the power source for looms and other industrial applications. Industry 1.0 was now under way
The introduction of cheap iron and steel and the use of electricity kick started the next stage of the industrial revolution circa 1870. The dawn of Industry 2.0 was the conception of assembly lines and mass production. Cheap goods for the masses.
The third industrial age or Industry 3.0 began with the information age and the introduction of the transistor around the mid to latter half of the 20th century. Although it was mainly referred to as the 'space age' with the introduction of satellites and trips to the moon, it was also time for factory automation through early computers and automated assembly systems.
Today, with the Industrial Revolution in its fourth phase with the introduction of SCADA and IIoT, Industry 4.0 promises greater automation with data interaction and exchange, machine learning and artificial intelligence. How far this will take us is like an open book with many blank pages. Is it hyperbole? What are the facts and what can we do today?
SCADA
A computer based system consisting of two parts. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. Data acquisition collates real time data from sensors, PLCs and other sources which is analysed and used to send commands to control equipment and processes. It can also be integrated into a real time inventory and warehouse management.
Implementing a SCADA bases system in its simplest form can provide good value and an excellent introduction to a digitally transformed journey. With a user interface, Remote Terminal Units (RTU), PLC's (Programmable Logic Controllers) and a server to coordinate it, all networked together provides a self contained system provides visibility for many industries:
- Energy - power generation, transmission and distribution.
- Manufacturing - process control, automation and quality monitoring.
- Water and wastewater treatment - monitoring control of treatment plants.
- Oil and gas - pipeline monitoring and refinery operations.
- Transportation - traffic signal control and railway signalling.
We are capable of delivering solutions to fit most of the above industries and more such as food and drink and health etc., our specialism is in Manufacturing process control.
IIoT
IIoT or Industrial Internet of Things is a technological wrapper that encapsulates most of the SCADA paradigm, but with additional abilities such as interconnection between connected devices over the internet using a distributed model. With the capability of operating on a global scale, it is ideal for interconnectivity across different locations. It is also highly scalable, easily incorporating new devices and technologies. Useful for smart factories and supply chain management with advanced analytics and 'big data'. It comfortably lends itself to anlaysis by AI.
If we can be of any assistance to ensure your business makes the correct decision for what is appropriate to yourselves, please contact us here. We will be only too pleased to help.
There is also a hybrid approach that integrates SCADA into an IIoT architecture, combining the best of both technologies; the resilience of SCADA interpolated within the IIoT architecture.
Comparison
| Feature | SCADA | IIoT |
|---|---|---|
| Decentralised architecture | ||
| Real-time monitoring and control | ||
| Wired, local networks | ||
| Wireless local networks | ||
| Global networks | ||
| Highly scalable | ||
| Process control | ||
| Data driven optimisation |