OPC Router as a Complement to SCADAs.

It is evident that the functions of a SCADA have evolved over the years. If some time ago a SCADA was understood as that HMI that supervised a few PLCs and allowed certain logic to be programmed, currently a SCADA is more of a platform for supervision, control and planning of an entire industrial installation or infrastructure. Its function goes far beyond just showing the status of the process to be supervised on the screen, but can also include data analytics functions, WEB visualization, MES systems, access management or camera visualization.

In summary, the evolution of SCADAs has allowed them to manage more processes of the installation. The problem is that there is still an attempt to incorporate even more tasks and they are not always prepared for them. Without a doubt, SCADAs are on their way to becoming the manager and arbiter of the different systems that control, monitor, track and supervise the process or facilitate the work of the workers.

The issue is that SCADAs, for the most part, in terms of communications are still anchored to their origin, industrial automation. This is noticeable in that their communication drivers are usually only of the OPC, Modbus type or for Siemens PLCs or similar. At most, the most advanced allow integration with SQL databases or allow the incorporation of .NET libraries so that the user/engineering can integrate their own custom developments. In any case, they do not incorporate drivers that facilitate working with other systems present in the installation.

Likewise, another problem present in the integration of the SCADA with other software tools is that SCADAs have been designed to be the final receiver of the data, that is, they are very good at acquiring data from different sources, but much worse at serving data for other systems. To do so, the most common – and usually the only way – is to use it as an OPC Server, where we will write what we intend to send in its tags.

This is the current scenario and in the face of these challenges is where OPC Router is presented as a very useful tool to facilitate communication between the SCADA and other software, such as BMS, traceability, quality, maintenance, ERP software, printers, etc.

Below, we present some examples of how OPC Router can complement a SCADA and allow it to manage even more functions within an installation.

I Integrate BMS Systems into the SCADA

That HVAC systems or elevator controllers, for example, are monitored in the SCADA is not unusual, but more and more it is also intended to manage the comfort of workspaces (temperatures, humidity, blinds and automatic barriers, parking, …) or functions more similar to home automation than to the automation of industrial processes. Faced with this challenge, OPC Router can help the SCADA to integrate with the independent tools that manage each of these functions.
Just to give a specific example, below is an example where OPC Router is able to monitor what times a room is reserved in the Outlook Calendar to acclimatize it in advance and turn off that air conditioning when it is not being used.

I Integrate CMMS Information into the SCADA.

CMMSs, APMs and asset management systems in general have a similar problem to SCADAs in that they are designed to receive information, not to serve it to other tools. That is why it is not always easy to build bridges between the two worlds, that of supervision/control with that of maintenance.

From our experience, and always depending on the CMMS, the simplest thing is to acquire the information from the SCADA via OPC – the SCADA acting as OPC DA/UA Server – and send the information to a database with which the CMMS can work.

If the flow of information should be the opposite – the CMMS serves information to the SCADA -, the simplest thing is to attack the database on which the CMMS is based or, if it is one of the most advanced, through SOAP services.

I Integrate the SCADA with the ERP.

Although we have discussed it extensively in our ebook, it is clear that this is one of the cases for which OPC Router is most used. Its plugin to connect with SAP or other ERPs allows you to solve that gap easily without the need for custom developments.

I Integrate the SCADA with Printers or RFIDs.

Although printers or RFID readers are widely used industrial equipment, it is quite unusual for SCADAs or even market OPC servers to have specific drivers to communicate with these devices. How do I then communicate my SCADA with my Zebra printers? To solve this problem, once again, OPC Router takes value as a bridge between the two.

These are just a few examples of the many that we can find where OPC Router complements the communications of the SCADA so that it still manages more functions. It is very important to emphasize that, although OPC Router allows scripting functions, it is not a substitute for the SCADA. It should always be the latter who carries out the control and execution of the logic. OPC Router is the complement, not the entire solution.

If you are interested in knowing more examples or think that it can be of help in these or other projects that you have ahead, get in touch with us and ask us!