12 Best SCADA Software to Automate Your Operations

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software is an essential tool for industrial automation today. It helps monitor, control, and optimize complex production processes from a central location.

According to MarketsandMarkets, the global SCADA market size is projected to reach $12.9 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during this period. This growth highlights the rising adoption of SCADA systems across various industries.

In this comprehensive guide, we have handpicked the 12 best SCADA software platforms for you to consider based on features, integrations, support, pricing, and more.

What is SCADA Software?


SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. It refers to a centralized industrial automation system that helps monitor and control equipment and infrastructure in real-time.

The key components of a SCADA system are:

• Field instruments like sensors and actuators to collect data from equipment
• Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) to transmit field data to central computers
• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) to control the equipment functions
• SCADA software and Human Machine Interface (HMI) to visualize and control the system
• Historian tools to store and track data over time
• Networks and protocols like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular, etc. to connect the components

SCADA gives operators a complete overview of an entire plant or infrastructure and enables controlling and optimizing operations from a central control room or remotely.

Some common examples of SCADA software use cases are:

• Manufacturing plants
• Power generation and transmission
• Oil and gas refining
• Water treatment and distribution
• Smart buildings and facility management

Next, let‘s look at some of the top SCADA software platforms available today.

Adroit Ignite

Adroit Ignite is a modern, enterprise-grade SCADA software suitable for any industry. It is built on .NET/C# technologies for maximum flexibility and interoperability.

Some key features of Adroit Ignite:

• High-performance 2D and 3D visualization
• Drag and drop interface for quick HMI building
• Real-time and historical trending
• Alerts, reporting, and audit trails
• OPC UA, Modbus, BacNet integration
• Redundancy and automatic failover
• HTML5 web access and mobile app

Adroit Ignite works great for manufacturing, building automation, energy, water treatment, and other project-centric industries. They offer role-based pricing for developers, runtime clients, and viewers. Support plans are also available.

Fernhill SCADA

Fernhill SCADA is an advanced industrial automation software that runs on various platforms like Windows, Linux, Android, etc.

It provides a distributed SCADA architecture out-of-the-box with redundant servers for mission-critical systems. The built-in drivers connect to PLCs, RTUs, databases, cloud platforms, and more.

Some salient features provided by Fernhill SCADA are:

• Multiple protocol support – Modbus, OPC, MQTT, BacNet, etc.
• Real-time and historical data logging
• Alarm management and event notifications
• Reporting and trend analysis
• Scripting for custom logic and calculations
• Multi-level redundancy for high availability

Fernhill offers flexible licensing options including client-based, server-based, and developer licenses. Support plans are also available. It is a great fit for water, power, oil and gas, and manufacturing automation.

Siemens SIMATIC WinCC

SIMATIC WinCC by Siemens is a market-leading commercial SCADA platform suitable for process visualization across any industry.

It delivers centralized monitoring, control, data acquisition, and analysis in one flexible and scalable HMI/SCADA system.

Key features of SIMATIC WinCC:

• High-performance visualization even for large systems
• Alarm management, trends, and reports
• Built-in redundancy for maximized uptime
• Web-based monitoring and mobile access
• Integration with Siemens PLCs and third-party hardware
• Options for cloud deployment and virtualization
• Extensive library of symbols, faceplates, and graphics
• Role-based access control and security

SIMATIC WinCC comes in different editions suitable for small to very large scale deployments. Custom pricing applies based on your requirements.

Cloudview NMS

While traditionally known as a network monitoring system, Cloudview NMS also offers excellent SCADA capabilities today.

It provides real-time centralized visibility into infrastructure using dynamic dashboards. The open-source components can connect to PLCs, sensors, Modbus, SNMP, OPC, and more.

Here are some of the key highlights of Cloudview NMS:

• Live status views and topology maps
• Alerting and alarm notifications
• Data reporting and analytics
• Custom dashboard builder and widgets
• Multi-tenant and role-based access
• High availability architecture
• Mobile apps for on-the-go access
• Easy 3rd party integration using API and MQTT

Cloudview NMS has a free community edition for small deployments. Paid enterprise plans start from $350 per month. It works great for factories, utilities, smart buildings, etc.

COMBIVIS SCADA Software

COMBIVIS from KEB offers a suite of SCADA software tailored for drive and automation systems in industrial environments.

It seamlessly integrates with KEB‘s controllers and I/O modules and provides centralized monitoring and diagnostics capabilities.

Some of its salient capabilities:

• Real-time data visualization
• Trend analysis of drive parameters
• Automatic report generation
• Event and alarm handling
• User action logging
• Batch recipe management
• Built-in redundancy

COMBIVIS is purpose-built for the automation industry working with variable frequency drives and motion control systems. Pricing and support are available through KEB sales channels.

Elecdes Design Suite

For electrical SCADA systems, Elecdes Design Suite by Scada Systems is a great fit. It simplifies the design and documentation of electrical control circuits and distribution networks.

Key highlights:

• Intelligent CAD tools for faster electrical drafting
• Automated circuit drawing, wire numbering, etc.
• Electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, panel layouts
• Built-in symbol library
• Documentation and reporting
• Interoperability with SCADA visualization software

Elecdes streamlines the planning and design process for plant electrical infrastructure and control gear. This improves the performance and accuracy of the overall SCADA system. They offer flexible node-based licensing.

ICONICS GENESIS64

GENESIS64 from ICONICS is a advanced Windows-based SCADA software used widely across manufacturing, utilities, oil and gas, and other industries.

It provides a unified visualization platform that consolidates data from multiple plant floors and enterprise sources.

Some key features provided by GENESIS64:

• High performance 64-bit visualization
• Broad protocol support including BACnet, OPC, and Modbus
• HTML5 responsive web and mobile access
• Powerful analytics, alarms, and reporting
• Redundancy and fault tolerance
• IoT-enabled with MQTT, AWS, and Azure integration
• Extensive widgets, symbols, and graphics libraries

GENESIS64 comes in standalone or distributed configurations supporting unlimited tags and clients. Custom pricing applies based on your requirements.

Aircada

Aircada brings an innovative approach to industrial SCADA leveraging augmented reality and mobility. It provides a simple way to view real-time data overlaid on physical assets.

Salient features:

• Handsfree AR-driven data visualization
• Scan assets using mobile app to pull up data
• Digitize maintenance checklists and procedures
• Access sensor data, manuals, part details onsite
• Push notifications for alerts and work orders
• Cloud-based asset monitoring dashboard

Aircada makes field technician tasks more efficient by eliminating paper checklists and providing instant data access. They offer straightforward project-based pricing.

AzeoTech

AzeoTech offers an easy-to-use industrial automation platform to build your own SCADA and HMI systems. It makes it simple to connect to field devices and visualize data.

Key capabilities:

• Drag and drop interface builder
• Live data dashboard designer
• Trend charts plotting
• Scripting for custom logic
• Email and SMS alerts
• Data logging to files and databases
• OPC, Modbus, MQTT connectivity
• Web-based monitoring

AzeoTech is designed for SMBs and system integrators to develop tailored SCADA solutions across manufacturing, energy, building automation, etc. Their licensing is based on the number of points needed.

INDAS IT Solutions

INDAS is an IT solutions company that offers custom SCADA system development services tailored to your needs.

Their expertise lies in:

• Hardware and software system design
• PLC programming and integration
• HMI/SCADA application development
• M2M and IIoT connectivity
• Cloud and mobile access
• Data analytics and cybersecurity

INDAS has delivered solutions for oil and gas, smart buildings, energy, water treatment, and other automation projects. Contact them for a quote based on your project scope and specifications.

GE CIMPLICITY

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GE CIMPLICITY is a reliable, industrial-grade SCADA solution used by leading manufacturing, infrastructure, and energy companies worldwide.

It provides advanced visualization, control, and data management in one flexible platform.

Key features include:

• High-performance HMI, graphics and visualization
• Enterprise-wide data connectivity and control
• Redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities
• Powerful historical and real-time trend analysis
• Native and web-based SCADA monitoring
• Open architecture for easy integration
• Options for cloud deployment

CIMPLICITY is scalable from small to very large SCADA applications. GE offers role-based pricing and global support services.

Open Automation Software

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Open Automation Software (OAS) offers an advanced industrial data connectivity platform to build SCADA and HMI systems.

It provides instant connectivity to PLCs, sensors, databases, cloud platforms, and enterprise applications.

Key features:

• High-performance MQTT-enabled data hub
• Edge compute capabilities
• Drag and drop dashboards and visualization
• Analytics, reporting, and notifications
• Redundancy and failover
• REST API and SDK for custom apps
• Responsive web and mobile access
• Simple licensing model

OAS is great for OEMs, system integrators, and end-user organizations to future-proof their operations.

Benefits of Using SCADA Software

SCADA systems provide powerful supervisory control, data collection, visualization, and analytics capabilities for industrial environments.

Here are some key benefits of using SCADA software:

1. Reduces Operational Costs

SCADA systems allow centrally monitoring complex distributed operations remotely using fewer personnel. This significantly reduces staffing costs.

2. Enables Centralized Monitoring and Control

SCADA provides real-time visibility and control over field equipment like PLCs, RTUs, etc. from a central location on premises or over the internet.

3. Improves Process Optimization

Trend analysis and data insights from SCADA help identify issues and optimize production/operational parameters for maximum throughput.

4. Increases Uptime and Reliability

Advanced SCADA systems have built-in redundancy and fault-tolerance to maximize uptime. Alerts also enable predictive maintenance.

5. Provides Regulatory Compliance

SCADA data and audit trails help comply with regulatory requirements and ensure standard operating procedures are followed.

6. Enables Innovation

SCADA systems provide data connectivity that allows implementing IoT, AI/ML, and other innovations to drive new revenue opportunities.

Conclusion

SCADA software delivers powerful visualization, control, and data collection capabilities to optimize industrial operations. It provides meaningful operational insights that were difficult to obtain earlier.

Choosing the right SCADA platform requires aligning requirements like scalability, security, integrations, and budget. We hope this guide provides a starting point to evaluate options for your needs.

Additionally, explore complementary technologies like IoT, MES, and data analytics to get maximum value from your investment. With capabilities improving and costs reducing, SCADA systems are proving instrumental for companies to gain a competitive edge.