What are the advantages of a SCADA system?

Automation is helping in many industry operation. Production process control or any industrial operation has become easier with the help of automation system and devices.
As SCADA system is the main role of supervision and controlling the automation system.

It has the following advantages:

• The system provide facility to store large amount of data.
• The data can be displayed in various formats as per user requirements.
• It provides interface to connect thousands of sensors across wide region for various monitoring and controlling operations.
• It is possible to obtain real data simulations with the help of operators.
• Many types of data can be gathered from RTUs (Remote Terminal Units) connected with the master unit.
• With the advanced protocols and application software, the data can be monitored from anywhere and not just from local site.
• The redundancy of units are incorporated in the SCADA system in order to have backup in the event of faults or failures. This makes system more robust.
• It is fast in obtaining response.
• It is scalable and flexible in adding additional resources.
• It is used in wide industries and departments including telecommunications, energy, transportation, oil & gas, water, military etc.

Following are the disadvantages of SCADA:

• PLC based SCADA system is complex in terms of hardware units and dependent modules.
• As the system is complex, it requires skilled operators, and programmers to maintain SCADA system.
• Installation costs are higher.
• The system increases unemployment rates.
• The system supports use of restricted software and hardware equipment.