Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software manages the flow of information between software and industrial equipment. SCADA systems allow companies to monitor and control industrial processes across multiple locations. This type of software is used in manufacturing but can also be beneficial for utility companies, facility management, and any operations that rely on the use of sensors.
SCADA systems are provided as a mix of hardware and software, but many vendors prefer to focus exclusively on software. This type of software integrates with manufacturing execution systems to monitor the use of industrial equipment on the shop floor. Integration with ERP systems and quality management (QMS) software is also important to track the performance of the manufacturing operations.
To qualify for inclusion in the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) category, a product must:
- Be compatible with SCADA hardware and PLC (programmable logic controllers)
- Deliver a human-machine interface (HMI) for users to monitor real-time data
- Allow users to control multiple industrial processes locally or remotely
- Provide alerts and notifications when errors and incidents occur