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Start for freeGood afternoon, everyone. In today’s digital era, the evolution of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems has been nothing short of revolutionary. A standout in this evolution is Wonderware’s offerings, particularly InTouch and System Platform. Stuart Palmer, a systems architect with expertise in Wonderware’s solutions, takes us through a comprehensive dive into these systems, highlighting their capabilities, evolution, and the shift from tag-based to object-based design in SCADA systems. Let’s delve into the insights shared in the webinar and understand how these innovations shape the future of industrial automation.
Introduction to InTouch and System Platform
InTouch emerged in the mid-1980s as the first Windows-based Human-Machine Interface (HMI) SCADA system. Its inception marked a significant shift from the hardwired and maintenance-heavy control systems of the past. Designed for ease of use, it allows seamless migration from legacy systems and supports a vast array of device connections thanks to Wonderware’s extensive suite of device drivers.
System Platform, on the other hand, serves as a real-time industrial platform, more akin to an operating system for industrial applications. It encompasses a suite of products including Historian for logging, Application Server for running object structures, and clients like InTouch for System Platform and InTouch OMI for visualization.
Tag-Based vs. Object-Based Design
The webinar highlighted the fundamental differences between tag-based and object-based designs. Tag-based systems, though simpler and portable, fall short in creating an intelligent structure with built-in relationships and interdependencies. Object-based design, inspired by IT development tools, caters specifically to the automation industry, allowing for the creation of templates that represent equipment or devices with comprehensive configurations.
Wonderware’s Solutions: InTouch and System Platform
InTouch 2017
InTouch 2017 continues to deliver value with its tag-based solution, providing familiar development tools and introducing new functionalities for enhanced performance. It supports various application types, including classic, modern, and managed applications, each offering distinct benefits and capabilities.
System Platform 2017
System Platform stands out as Wonderware’s flagship for an object-based SCADA solution. It revolves around the plant model concept, enabling standardization and reuse across multiple sites. The 2017 version brought significant updates, including the introduction of InTouch OMI, a cutting-edge visualization tool that offers resolution-independent design, HTML5 support, and a client-less installation process.
Development and Deployment
The process of developing and deploying applications differs markedly between tag-based and object-based systems. InTouch requires the creation and linking of tags to graphical elements, with changes necessitating a shutdown for updates. System Platform, however, simplifies maintenance and updates through its template-based design, allowing changes to propagate automatically to all instances.
Conclusion
The webinar by Stuart Palmer provided a deep dive into Wonderware’s InTouch and System Platform, shedding light on the significant advancements in SCADA systems. The shift from tag-based to object-based design represents a leap forward in industrial automation, offering more streamlined, efficient, and flexible solutions for managing complex industrial processes.
As industries continue to evolve, the integration of such advanced SCADA solutions will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of industrial operations. For those interested in further exploring Wonderware’s offerings or have questions regarding the content, Stuart Palmer’s contact information is available at the beginning of the webinar recording.
For a comprehensive understanding and visual demonstration of the concepts discussed, viewers are encouraged to access the full webinar here.
