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Unlocking the Power of HMI & SCADA Software Packages with State Electric

Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) are software used for custom development of graphics that are displayed on screens to allow operators to easily understand the current state of the equipment and control the process/machine. They are also involved with collecting historical data for troubleshooting or reporting. These types of software are very common in almost every industrial automation system. We asked one of our State Electric specialists, Jacob Dunkle to explain more about these particular software and how they can increase production and reduce overall costs. Jacob currently serves as the Rockwell Automation Product Specialist at State Electric and has 12 years of experience with industrial automation.

HMI

HMI is typically used in automated industrial control systems to allow the operators of the equipment to visualize the current state of the system and control the process. The HMI would communicate with PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) and other equipment over a network like ethernet which is the most common network today. There are often alarms and other notifications that are presented to the operator if anything abnormal is detected within the equipment. HMI can be used to represent smaller touch-screen terminals out in the plant/facility, or larger screen monitors back in a central control room that are operated by keyboard and mouse. The HMI is custom-designed and programmed for each system to make things as easy on the operators as possible.

SCADA

SCADA generally describes the software components of an automated industrial control system that are responsible for monitoring and controlling the process along with collecting historical data. The historical data is often used for troubleshooting as it helps determine the root cause of an issue and is also used in regulated industries where records must be kept for a certain period of time. A SCADA system can be local to one site or can pull data from multiple sites to a central location.

Difference Between the Two

While an HMI is considered a part of a SCADA system, the main distinction lies in the absence of historical data collection in the HMI term. However, these two terms are frequently used interchangeably without delving into the intricacies of their definitions.

Custom Development

Custom development is an essential aspect of all software packages used in automated industrial control systems. With each application being unique, various industries rely on this versatile and customizable software. Developers have a basic set of tools at their disposal to create applications, and the interface's look and feel are solely dependent on the imagination of the developer.

Company Use

By implementing HMI and SCADA software, companies can streamline their operations and drive cost savings. This is achieved by reducing the need for excessive resources and gaining access to valuable insights that expedite troubleshooting in case of system issues. Furthermore, by harnessing the power of data collection and analysis, manufacturers can identify bottlenecks and address common failure modes, ultimately optimizing production and gaining a competitive edge on a global scale. It has become imperative for companies to constantly enhance their production capabilities to surpass their competitors, making optimization more crucial than ever before.

Jacob Dunkle Image

Since joining the Rockwell Automation product line in 2010, Jacob Dunkle has been a dedicated technical product specialist. With his extensive experience, he has been instrumental in assisting customers with product selection and troubleshooting. Jacob's expertise and dedication have proven invaluable in providing exceptional support to clients in the field. For more information on HMI or SCADA please contact Jacob by email at [email protected].