If you’re looking to work with a SCADA integrator, you’ve come to the right place! This article is the first of three in the series that will walk you through the ins and outs of SCADA integrators. After reading this, you’ll understand what a SCADA integrator is, what their role is in the process, and why you should work with them. You might already have an idea of the kind of SCADA integrator you’re looking for. If that’s the case, keep reading to learn more about the different types of SCADA integrators. If you’re still looking for your first SCADA integrator, read on to learn more about how to find the right one for your business.
What is a SCADA Integrator?
A SCADA integrator is a company that specializes in SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and embedded systems. These systems control critical infrastructure like water and power networks, traffic lights, and more. SCADA systems are often connected to other systems in a local area network (LAN).
You might already be familiar with the term SCADA if you’ve worked with CNC equipment, a factory floor, or in logistics. SCADA systems were traditionally used in large factories or oil refineries to remotely monitor and control production lines. Modernized SCADA systems are now also being used in other industries like water and electricity – controlling critical infrastructure like these systems used to.
Types of SCADA Integrators
There are three types of SCADA integrators to choose from: integrators specializing in industrial automation, embedded software engineers, and system integrators. Let’s take a closer look at each different type of SCADA integrators.
Industrial Automation Integrators
Industrial automation integrators are companies that specialize in designing and engineering custom SCADA and control systems. They are often located in the Automation Alley section of a city’s business district, but you can find them anywhere there’s a demand for their expertise.
Industrial automation integrators often work with large manufacturing and mining companies, but they also work with other industries like oil and gas, utilities, and even government organizations.
Embedded Software Engineers
Some companies prefer to outsource the development of custom embedded software to embedded software engineers, rather than hire a development team or outsource development to an external software company. The embedded software engineers you come across are likely to be former engineers who have become certified in the embedded software development field.
These engineers might be great at creating software for devices like medical equipment, smartphones, or automobiles. But they’re not necessarily the best choice if you need to design, engineer, or build a control system.
Instead, if you’re looking for an embedded software engineer who can help you with device driver development, we recommend you look into hiring an embedded software development company.
System Integrators Systems integrators offer a broader range of services than industrial automation or embedded software engineers. As their name suggests, they’re in the business of integrating systems. They can help you acquire hardware, design hardware, and integrate hardware, among other things.
A system integrator might specialize in a specific type of system, like the electrical or mechanical systems that make up a water or gas pipeline. They can also help you acquire the software you need to run your new systems.
If you’re working with a system integrator, you don’t have to worry about the mechanical, electrical, or software aspects of your project. That’s the responsibility of the system integrator – to make sure you have what you need and that it’s working together as it’s supposed to.
Why work with a SCADA Integrator?
SCADA systems are often mission-critical, and they’re designed to be maintenance-free. That means that the less you have to do with them, the better.
That’s why you want to work with a SCADA integrator, rather than building these systems yourself. While you might be able to build a working prototype of your system, building a final version that works in a real-world environment is more challenging.
A SCADA integrator can help you avoid all of these problems by providing you with a complete turnkey solution. The systems they build for you are tested and certified, so you won’t have to worry about them failing during operation.