1. Will it work with my existing hardware?
Is your facility a patchwork of old and new
hardware from various vendors? If so, you comprise the vast majority of
industrial sites. Since the hardware is
typically a much bigger and longer term investment, it’s important your SCADA
system will effectively communicate with your legacy equipment.
While many SCADA systems offer OPC connectivity alone, this will be a
problem if you have older equipment that doesn’t support OPC. In these instances , you will be forced to
buy an expensive OPC wrapper or find the drivers that work for your legacy
equipment. This can be avoided by
ensuring the SCADA
package you select offers a wide variety of native drivers to work with any
vendor’s hardware, regardless of its age.
2.
Will it support my future needs as well as my existing ones?
Many vendors think scalability is just
purchasing more I/O. However, if you are going to have to add another
production line or another plant in the future, you need an industrial system
with an architecture that can manage that type of growth. Unlimited I/O
licensing is great, if the system is really built to handle it.
Make sure the SCADA system has been
thoroughly tested to handle a large number of I/O points before you purchase it
to avoid slow response times and other problems caused by a SCADA system not
designed for industrial use.
3. Is the SCADA software a low risk
investment?
When you select a motor, you know that
the initial cost is only a small percentage of the lifetime cost of the
equipment; the same applies to SCADA systems. Some SCADA vendors will
tell you that that because their software is lower priced, it is a “low risk
investment” because you can throw it away if you don’t like it. While the
system may look like a bargain, why not make the investment in software that
really works and does the job for you the first time. You don’t have the
time to mess around with projects that are throwaway.
Selecting a SCADA system with large graphic
libraries, customizable reports, and a familiar programming language are all
elements of a good investment.
4.
Can I get support when and where I need it?
SCADA packages aren’t disposable software. If
they go down, the consequences can be serious, ranging from lost data that will
affect regulatory compliance to unscheduled downtime that impacts customers.
Therefore, it’s important your SCADA
provider is there to support you when and where you need it. You will also want
to make sure there’s a large network of system integrators thoroughly certified
to meet your needs with regular training and coursework.
5.
Will my SCADA vendor be in business next year or the year after?
Your SCADA
system is a big purchase; not just the initial cost, but it’s ability to meet
your needs today and years in the future.
With such an important investment, you need to be certain your SCADA
supplier will be in business for as long as you are.
Another consideration is the provider’s
experience in your industry. You don’t just need someone to install the system,
you need someone who thoroughly understands your industry unique needs, such as
DNP3 support.
6.
How easy will it be to upgrade my system?
SCADA
systems must be adaptable to changing requirements and new technologies.
Backwards compatibility is key because replacing the entire system is
expensive, not to mention migrating from one SCADA
platform to another can cause downtime and data loss.
To avoid this situation make sure your vendor
offers a long history of 100 percent backwards compatibility to make upgrades
easy and preclude you from having an orphaned solution.
7.
How safe is my SCADA system?
There have been many instances of SCADA
systems being comprised from intrusions, either from the Internet or internal
sources. Due to the mission critical
nature of a SCADA
system protecting it from unauthorized users and hackers is vital.
Security is provided in many ways, from the SCADA
architecture to the programming language with which it’s written. The vendor’s commitment to security and
investment in cutting edge security technologies are also a big factor in
safeguarding your system.
This post was created by Christine Lesher,
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