4 Key Differences Between SCADA and Industrial IoT
Credit to Author: Atin Chhabra| Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2019 15:31:20 +0000
The Industrial Internet of Things has played a noteworthy role in enhancing the functions of remote monitoring. While most companies have already implemented SCADA systems for this purpose, the Industrial Internet of Things has gradually replaced its functions. Let us evaluate the contrast between the two systems.
Device Interconnectivity
When implementing SCADA systems, unifying devices that are created by distinct manufacturers is a close to impossible task. Additionally, when the devices are developed by the same manufacturer, it can be difficult to use them interchangeably as their model may vary. They also require a horizontal program that can function across a host of devices, irrespective of their producer or model.
Now when we evaluate IIoT, the system depends on the notion of interconnectivity. The primary motive of this is to facilitate communication across numerous devices. Nothing is dependant on the model or maker of the appliances. It uses procedures like MQTT to facilitate unrestrained communication over all devices in a comprehensive system.
Operating Expenses & Costs
In order to store extra data in a SCADA system, companies will inevitably incur costs on new servers. Also, in the process of software licensing or obtaining additional features, SCADA users have to buy distinct licenses for new services and have to frequently pay for upgrading the system.
The Industrial Internet of Things can greatly mitigate the hardware and software costs for businesses, while also removing the requirement of physically enabling software licensing and upgrading by implementing cloud services.
Data Insights
While using SCADA systems present shortcomings in analysing and interpreting historic data, companies tend to experience these hurdles in analysing old data and then interpreting it. SCADA does not focus on collaborating or interpreting the data that businesses are churning out daily. The information neither brings any valuable insights to the users nor does it offer any crucial help to the decision makers of the business.
In this area, IIoT outshines its competitors. It consolidates and collects data from several business functions, and then subsequently applies big data analytics to predict efficiency and avoid any potential fluctuations. With the definitive acumen from IIoT, corporations can predict unforeseen equipment hindrances and maintenance requirements.
Scalability
In SCADA software, there are devices that present critical information but have never been utilised as they require an overhead expense. Also, as the number of users increases, the bandwidth should also be made large enough to handle the increase which causes security concerns and mitigate most issues. Furthermore, it also takes a long time to set up.
IIoT has the ability to bring in and process large amounts of data, while also enabling users to connect additional appliances at ease. All of this data is sent to a cloud and accessed using login details. Information or data from anywhere in the world can be viewed and accessed via an HMI system that connects them to the clouds.
After comparing and evaluating the two subjects discussed in the article, it is clear that utilising the benefits of IIoT would be beneficial in the long run.
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