Comparative analysis
dataFRUIT is an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solution. In turn, SCADA is a supervisory control and data acquisition system from software and hardware that allows industries to control processing from both local and remote locations.
A supervision system is a communication server that connects the human-machine interface with other equipment such as PLCs and sensor devices.
Remote terminal devices are used to send the recorded data to the surveillance systems. In addition, PLC - programmable logic controllers work through sensors and contribute significantly to the provision of real-time monitoring of industrial processing.
Speaking of technology, the future of industrial automation is evolving in such a way that robots are successfully replacing humans in routine activities. And now is the time for a bigger revolution with the introduction of the Industrial Internet of Things.
How IoT succeeded to complement SCADA in PLC management?
Industrial IoT (Internet of Things) exists on the market and is developing as a better technology than traditional SCADA and PLC. Undoubtedly, its intelligent capabilities are very adaptable to today's modern industries. Most of the statistics from many industries conclude that the power of SCADA systems is relevant to the industry 4.0 revolution, but where it is limited is to have a complete connected ecosystem so that it handles it in the rest of the business.
PLCs receive data from sensors, which process that data and send it further as per the programmed parameters. PLCs can record and monitor real-time data such as operating temperature, working hours, weight of machinery etc. It can automatically start and stop the processes and accordingly generate alarms if any malfunction is encountered.
However, the Industrial IoT (Internet of Things) made its existence in the market and evolved as a better technology compared to the traditional SCADA and PLC. Undoubtedly, its intelligent capabilities are highly adaptable to today’s modern industries. Most of the statistics from many industries concluded that the strength of SCADA systems was relevant in Industry 4.0 revolution yet is limited without a complete connected ecosystem so as to process it to rest of the business.
The Industrial IoT came up as a technology which got implemented on top of SCADA. Parameters like scalability and data analytics came into existence with the introduction of disruptive technology, IoT.
Data generated from SCADA systems still acts as a data source for the Industrial IoT. Industrial IoT focuses on analyzing the granular machine data so as to improve productivity whereas SCADA used to focus on monitoring and controlling. IoT has brought a wave of new business to change the landscape of SCADA.
How does IIoT differ from SCADA?
|
N |
Features |
SCADA |
IoT |
|
1 |
Scalability |
In SCADA systems, due to the traditional architecture, when the number of users increases it degrades the performance drastically. Further, it also takes longer to run reports from plants that are in different countries and regions from the central plant. |
IoT could ingest and process a huge amount of data from sensors and allows to connect anything of relevance using protocols like MQTT, HTTPS, XMPP, COAP, REST etc. which is powered by on-demand scalability due to serverless architecture. |
|
2 |
Data Analytics |
The main SCADA usage is for day-by-day plant operation and ingestion and storage of a finite amount of data without preservation of historical data for deeper analytics. |
IoT involves long-term data retention to further analyze the data to predict maintenance schedules, reduce overall downtime, and extend equipment life. On top predictive analysis and preventive maintenance, capabilities are supported by Machine Learning module. |
|
3 |
Standardization |
SCADA systems mostly use OPC for data gathering, it is a standard that has stood the test of time but its major disadvantage is that it relies on DCOM technology and devices cannot collect/exchange data with each other regardless of the footprint. |
The primary goal of Industrial IoT is to standardize sensor networks, data gathering, and aggregation. IoT standards such as OPC UA are already being used to define real-time secure communication within a plant having different control devices and sensors from different vendors. Security is baked into IoT standards with support for MQTT, HTTPS, RAML etc. |
|
4 |
Interoperability |
In SCADA systems, devices not made by the same manufacturer cannot easily integrate. At times, even different versions from the same manufacturer present challenges in making them work interchangeably. Hence SCADA suppliesdistributed business processes which work in siloes. |
Industrial IoT ecosystems are still fragmented, yet protocols like MQTT enable platforms to communicate across devices regardless of vendor. |
What future holds after a comparative analysis?
Conclusively, both SCADA and IoT involves sensors and data acquisition. They do differ in many aspects but share the common goal. SCADA is not a full control system whereas Industrial Internet of Things is made up of several devices connected with each other.
It allows objects to be controlled remotely across different networks and architecture. But involving IoT with the SCADA system provides a holistic understanding of the entire industrial premises in a more simplified way. In SCADA, where you must manually generate analytics reports, with IoT-powered solution, you can automate this process to save time and get quality output.
Software architecture
Hardware specification
- 4 modules DIN rail case
- power supply and serial connections on screw terminal block