Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is a control system architecture that uses computers (PCs), networked data communications, and human machine interfaces (HMI) for high-level process supervisory management, but uses other peripheral devices such as programmable logic controllers (PLC). As you can imagine, this can take on a wide range of functionality, complexity, hardware, and software solutions.

The structure so ingrained in engineering's understanding of operations leveraging automation for industrial applications puts at it pyramid pinnacle all enterprise-level structures. These include business-management systems that track and command actions on budgets and invoices, raw material stock, outstanding purchasing order statuses, personnel scheduling, production volumes, quality-control statistics, and shipments pending and out.

Such track and command functions are executed by enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, as well as advanced planning systems (APSs) and manufacturing resource planning (MRP) systems.

Software supporting such enterprise-level systems (among other things) log and monitor the status of customer orders, trigger the procurement of materials when needed, and sometimes group orders into batches for efficient production schedules. Traditionally, it was only upon the close of business each day (or order-lot completions) that ERP-logged production information and statistics got used.

Whether you are looking for remote access at the machine level, seeing/acquiring additional information at a supervisory station, or communicating data outside of your factory local network, we will illustrate how Maple Systems can provide your organization solutions that meet your needs today's and sets up your organization for future requirements. Our hardware and software solutions are both scalable and flexible, and we are your one-stop SCADA solution provider.

Early on, these types of systems were built using proprietary hardware and software, operating in isolation without connections to other networks. Operators had to reside in a centralized control room or command center because human-machine interfaces.
(HMIs) did not support remote access. Any information provided to personnel other than operators was delivered via reports, which often had a significant time lag. Once devices were connected to much larger networks, they became more complex and gained broad capabilities.

Early process control systems (left) were isolated and built on proprietary equipment.

Log data from your devices to aid in reporting, to gain efficiencies, reduce downtime and plan for maintenance. Our products can help you standardize communications between devices, gluing different systems together for one source to your SCADA. No need to redesign your entire application. Keep the components that are already working for you, just add Maple Systems components to grow your abilities to supervise, control, and acquire data.

HMI local display to PLC

If you are looking to standardize your disparate production data at the HMI level, create consistent reports in one format to save locally, or publish to a remote server, our HMI solutions can bring this all together.

Because all of our HMIs, using EBPro, support 300+ protocols, including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi, and more, they can network with different PLC devices at the same time, acting as the glue to new and legacy systems. See the list of supported protocols.

Using our powerful, free HMI configuration software you can supervise multiple remote HMI stations at once, gain insight, and receive notifications using one of the remote access / IIoT protocols our software supports. With just a click, login directly to the individual HMI on a PC or use your phone/tablet to remote into the system, allowing you to acknowledge alarms, start/stop processes, or retrieve data.

A cloud-hosted App simplifies information technology (IT) complexity by creating an encrypted connection from a local VPN router to a cloud-hosted VPN router via the internet. Remote users can securely access the local components and systems via the cloud-hosted VPN. This option provides a high degree of cybersecurity, along with simpler configuration and maintenance.

Cloud-hosted VPNs provide a secure connection with simple setup and network configuration. Typical cloud-hosted VPN options include a local VPN router, a cloud-hosted VPN server, a VPN client and connected automation components. Read more about VPN in our SCADA & HMI Design Guide article "Selecting HMI remote access options"

HMI involvement in global facility operations is where there's intersection with SCADA functions — especially local or remote- HMI machine control, HMI-based upper-level monitoring, and real-time HMI data collection and logging. In effect, these HMI functions turn the machines to which they connect into IIoT data sources.

Maple Systems HMIs, along with our free configuration software EBPro, support a variety of cloud-hosted Apps and options. Because not all HMIs support every cloud-based app, refer to specific HMI datasheets for more information. Supported cloud-based solutions include:

• MQTT is a subscriber/publisher messaging transport protocol that is a great solution for applications where a small code footprint is required and/or network bandwidth is scarce. Depending on the model, our HMIs can function as the Publisher, Broker, or Subscriber. AWS IoT, Sparkplug B, Azure IoT Hub, Google Cloud IoT Core connections.
• OPC UA features cross-platform interoperability, high security, and proven reliability. Use Maple Systems HMI as a server or client in your application for secure cross platform data sharing.
• EasyAccess 2.0 uses a VPN which establishes a virtual private network over the public Internet to securely transmit encrypted data to your internal network allowing access to our HMIs from anywhere in the world,
• cMT Viewer is a client application that enables users to view and control HMI screens, quickly and easily. Only application data is exchanged between the HMI hardware, acting as a server, and the client device - your smart phone, tablet, or PC.
• WebView allows authorized operators to remotely access HMI applications from any device capable of hosting a web browser - such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet - without install apps or plugins.
• Monitor Mode is a feature exclusive to the Windows version of the cMT Viewer application. It allows real time data to be displayed from up to 50 HMI devices simultaneously at a host PC.