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SCADA for Process Applications

Cross Company SCADA

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a powerful tool in process facilities that enables efficient and centralized control of various processes and systems while also facilitating data acquisition, visualization, and monitoring. With SCADA, operators are able to access data in real-time from multiple sources. This enables informed decision-making and improves the overall productivity of your operation.

In a modern production environment, systems like this are no longer a luxury. And having a legacy system may be allowing your competition to pull ahead of you or may be limiting your throughput and overall productivity. That’s why it’s so important to work with a company who understands your market, your facility, and your process. A company like Cross.

At Cross Company Process Solutions, we work directly with you as a partner for SCADA solutions. We’ll ensure you have access to top-tier products, industry expertise, and comprehensive support, making the implementation of SCADA systems seamless and successful for any industrial operation.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition for Process Operations

SCADA or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition combines an HMI with any combination of the following:

  • Multiple HMIs
  • Data Historians and historical trends
  • Reporting § Batch operation
  • Networks including Ethernet, Fiber optic, field bus
  • Server Redundancy
  • Server/client architecture
    • Server contains all the graphics, communicates to equipment, and serves it up to clients
    • Client looks to server for updated graphics and data.

Examples include the Rockwell FactoryTalk View SE (Site Edition), and the ICONICS Genesis64. SCADA shares a lot of functionality available with a DCS (Distributed Control System), such as Siemens PCS7.

scada hmi cross co

The Importance of Display Graphics

The graphics on the display need to be functional; aesthetics are secondary. There are a lot of features out there that don’t always help the operator, such as 3D graphics and cool animations. We typically build our graphics to look like a P&ID (Piping & Instrument Diagram), if available. Some are opposed to this, but in our experience, the operator can quickly find devices on the screen because he/she is familiar with the layout of the process.

The colors, fonts, and animations need to mean something to the operator. Therefore, we use them sparingly and only when the operator’s attention needs to be grabbed (interlocks, alarms, etc). This can mean a sparing use of color on normal displays.

An operator should be able to quickly find what he/she is looking for on the screen. Therefore, we crowd the display. We use reusable block icons (valve, pump symbols) and faceplates to make things visually simple. Most software packages allow you to use icons and graphics more than once, so you’re not doing the same thing over and over. To do this, just copy, paste, and change the tag link (hopefully in just one place).

This also is nice for the end user if they need to add something after the system has been commissioned.

Quick on-screen navigation

Strategic highlighting and color

Crisp, clear displays

Rugged construction

Simplicity of design

Icon and graphic customization

Benefits of Cross SCADA for Process Applications

There are many benefits to using Cross Company for your SCADA for industrial process applications. Some of those benefits include

Streamline operations

SCADA empowers industries and operations to streamline their operations by providing a centralized platform capable of integrating data from a variety of control systems. This allows for a comprehensive view of the entire production process, leading to better coordination and reduced downtime.

Real-time visualization

SCADA enables real-time data visualization. This offers operators instant access to critical process equipment statuses and other important process variables. This increased visibility allows for quick identification of issues, minimizing the risk of operational disruptions or unplanned maintenance.

Advanced analytics

SCADA incorporates advanced analytics capabilities, enabling predictive maintenance and condition monitoring. By analyzing historical data, SCADA can predict potential issues before they escalate, leading to improved maintenance planning and reduced maintenance costs for your facility or application.

Important Considerations for SCADA Applications

Alarming – Eliminate nuisance alarms! The worst and most dangerous alarm log is the one that has been dismissed as a nag. Any log that has too many alarms that just aren’t that alarming is a serious problem. Our rule is that if something happens during normal operation, it’s not an alarm. We use colors to indicate the severity of the alarm, such as red for an interlocking condition and yellow for a warning.

Optimize Communications – With the exception of high speed machine control, data presented on screens doesn’t need to be updated very quickly. Analog values (pressures, temperatures, etc.) can be updated every second, and discrete values (level switches, motor and valve feedback, etc.) every 500 miliseconds. That is usually plenty fast. This also keeps the data server from getting overwhelmed with requests.

Data Backup – Where are you storing your valuable tag data? Does the EPA require you to report certain values on a 15 minute cycle? Consider backing this up to a Historian with RAID hard drives for data loss prevention. Is your HMI in a harsh environment? Consider installing an HMI client on an Industrial PC (IPC) that can be easily swapped out and replaced. Your data will still be on the server, which should be in a clean, controlled environment.

Offering Solutions From Leading Brands

Why Cross SCADA for Process Applications

The effectiveness of our HMI/SCADA design has been proven over 23 years of integration. We have used most of the available HMI and SCADA packages including:

  • Siemens PCS7, WinCC (Advanced and Basic)
  • Rockwell FactoryTalk View SE and ME (as well as legacy software like RSView32)
  • ICONICS Genesis (64, 32)
  • iFix o Wonderware
  • DeltaV
  • CitectSCADA
  • Trihedral’s SCADA Software

Contact a Cross expert and start a conversation to discuss your process and determine the best solution for your operation.

cross company psg knoxville main office

Related Control Systems Integration Software Solutions

At Cross, we offer much more than just SCADA for process applications. We can also provide a range of software solutions our process manufacturing partners need to succeed. Check out our other process solutions software and see for yourself.

See How Our Process Solutions Team Can Help Improve Quality, Increase Efficiency, And Reduce Risk.

Contact our Team