Ignition SCADA
Ignition SCADA Solutions for Connected Industrial Automation
Modern manufacturing environments require more than basic machine monitoring. Production, engineering and maintenance teams increasingly need access to real-time information, historical data, alarms and operational performance across multiple machines and production areas.
Ignition by Inductive Automation is an industrial application platform used to build SCADA, HMI, industrial data and operational visibility solutions around connected automation systems.
At Stratos, we develop and integrate Ignition SCADA solutions around your industrial processes, PLC infrastructure and operational requirements, helping create connected automation environments that provide greater visibility and support future expansion.
What Is Ignition SCADA?
Ignition is an industrial application platform that can be used to develop SCADA, HMI, data acquisition, reporting and industrial visualisation solutions.
Rather than limiting a system to individual machine interfaces, Ignition can provide a central platform for collecting and presenting information across wider industrial operations.
Applications may include:
SCADA systems.
HMI applications.
Industrial dashboards.
Alarm management.
Historical data.
Process trending.
Production monitoring.
Reporting.
Remote operational visibility.
The system can be developed around the requirements of individual machines, production lines or larger industrial facilities.
Ignition SCADA System Design
A successful Ignition implementation begins with a clear understanding of the automation environment and the information users require.
System design may consider:
Existing PLC architecture.
Number of machines.
Industrial networks.
Required data points.
Operator workstations.
Historical data requirements.
Alarm management.
User requirements.
Reporting.
Future expansion.
Planning the architecture before development helps create a more structured, maintainable and scalable system.
Ignition PLC Integration
Ignition can communicate with PLCs and industrial devices to collect real-time information from the production environment.
Depending on the existing infrastructure, integration may involve PLC platforms such as:
Siemens.
Allen-Bradley.
Mitsubishi Electric.
Omron.
Schneider Electric.
Existing legacy control systems.
PLC integration can provide information including machine status, process values, production conditions, equipment faults and operational data.
Stratos' PLC programming expertise allows us to consider both the SCADA environment and the control systems generating the information.
Ignition HMI Development
Ignition can be used to develop operator interfaces that provide control and visibility across industrial equipment and processes.
HMI development may include:
Process visualisation.
Machine controls.
Equipment status.
Setpoints.
Operating modes.
Alarm displays.
Process trends.
Diagnostic information.
Interfaces should be developed around the requirements of the people using them, with clear navigation and consistent presentation of operational information.
Ignition Industrial Dashboards
Ignition can bring information from multiple automation systems together into industrial dashboards.
Dashboards may display:
Production output.
Machine availability.
Downtime.
Production targets.
Equipment status.
Alarm information.
Process conditions.
Operational KPIs.
Different views can be developed for production, maintenance, engineering and management teams so each group receives information relevant to its responsibilities.
Ignition Historian and Process Data
Historical process data can provide valuable insight into how industrial equipment and production systems perform over time.
An Ignition solution can be configured to collect and organise operational information for analysis and trending.
Depending on the application, this may include:
Process values.
Equipment states.
Production information.
Machine performance.
Alarm history.
Downtime.
Temperatures and pressures.
Production counts.
Historical information can support fault investigation, process optimisation and continuous improvement.
Ignition Alarm Management
Alarm management is an important part of an effective SCADA environment.
Ignition alarm systems can be structured around the operational importance of different process conditions.
Development may consider:
Alarm priorities.
Equipment faults.
Process deviations.
Alarm acknowledgement.
Historical alarm information.
Operator visibility.
Alarm rationalisation.
Diagnostic information.
The objective is to ensure operators receive meaningful information rather than simply generating large volumes of notifications.
Ignition SCADA Integration with Existing Equipment
Introducing Ignition does not necessarily require replacing existing PLCs or industrial equipment.
Where suitable communications are available, an Ignition system can often be developed around existing automation infrastructure.
Our engineers assess:
PLC platforms.
Existing SCADA systems.
Industrial networks.
Communication protocols.
Available data.
Existing HMIs.
Production equipment.
Integration requirements.
This can allow organisations to improve operational visibility while continuing to use suitable existing automation assets.
Ignition SCADA Migration and Modernisation
Ignition may also form part of a wider strategy to replace an ageing or unsupported SCADA environment.
Migration planning may involve:
Existing SCADA assessment.
PLC communication mapping.
Tag migration or recreation.
Operator screen redevelopment.
Alarm rationalisation.
Historical data requirements.
User access.
Reporting requirements.
Testing and commissioning.
A phased migration strategy can help minimise disruption while moving towards a modern supervisory environment.
Ignition for Multi-Site and Scalable Automation
Industrial automation requirements often expand as organisations introduce additional equipment, production lines or sites.
Ignition solutions can be architected with future expansion in mind.
Planning may consider:
Additional PLCs.
New machines.
Additional production lines.
Increased data requirements.
Additional users.
Remote operational visibility.
Centralised reporting.
Multiple facilities.
Designing for scalability from the beginning can reduce the complexity of future expansion.
Ignition Testing and Commissioning
Before an Ignition SCADA application enters production, communications and functionality should be thoroughly tested.
Testing may include:
PLC communication verification.
Tag validation.
Operator screen testing.
Alarm verification.
Historical data.
Dashboard functionality.
User permissions.
Network communications.
Functional testing.
Site commissioning.
Testing the complete system helps ensure information displayed within Ignition accurately represents the underlying industrial process.
Why Choose Stratos for Ignition SCADA?
Successful Ignition implementation requires an understanding of more than the SCADA platform itself. The system must integrate effectively with the PLCs, industrial networks, machinery and processes generating the information.
Stratos combines PLC programming, SCADA engineering, industrial communications and control system expertise to develop Ignition solutions around the complete automation environment.
Whether you're introducing Ignition for the first time, integrating additional production equipment or migrating from an ageing SCADA platform, our engineers can develop a practical solution around your operational requirements.
Build a More Connected Automation Environment with Ignition
Bring PLC data, process visibility, alarms and operational information together within a modern industrial platform. Stratos develops and integrates Ignition SCADA solutions around your existing automation infrastructure, helping create systems that are scalable, maintainable and designed around the information your operation needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ignition SCADA?
Ignition is an industrial application platform developed by Inductive Automation that can be used to create SCADA, HMI, industrial data, reporting and visualisation applications.
Can Ignition connect to existing PLCs?
Yes. Ignition can communicate with a variety of industrial devices and PLC systems. The available integration method depends on the controller, communication protocol and existing automation architecture.
Can Ignition replace an existing SCADA system?
Potentially. Ignition can form the basis of a SCADA modernisation or migration project, with existing communications, screens, alarms and historical requirements assessed before migration.
Can Ignition be used for industrial dashboards?
Yes. Ignition can be used to develop dashboards that display production performance, equipment status, downtime, process information and other operational KPIs.
Can Ignition collect historical process data?
Yes. Ignition can be configured to collect historical process information for trending, reporting, fault investigation and analysis, depending on the architecture and modules used.