Inductive Automation: Integrator uses software to deliver performance and reliability

THE COMPANY: Backed by 40 years of experience, Drayton Valley, Alta.-based Surefire SCADA Inc. creates web-based hosted SCADA systems that encompass all aspects of industrial automation. The company designs and implements industrial control systems and maintains information technology.

THE CHALLENGE: One of Surefire SCADA’s customers was looking for a solution to get a fast, reliable update performance. Previous solutions from industry leaders couldn’t deliver both. Kyle Chase, a systems integration specialist for Surefire SCADA, describes the dilemma: "One product gave them the reliability, but it could only give updates once every eight seconds, and the customer needed updates every second. Another product they tried provided the performance needed, but it would shut down every day."

THE STRATEGY: Earlier this year, Chase found Ignition by Inductive Automation, which included an OPC-UA server, making the entire software system Linux compatible. Having used Inductive Automation software for the past three years with much success, he was confident in trying out the company’s newest release for the distillation refinery project.

THE RESULTS: After conducting dry runs with the system, Chase has been more than pleased with the results. "The performance is absolutely crazy," he says. "Ignition is actively subscribed to 30,000 tags with updates every second. We can finally monitor all of our tags at the speed we want, with the reliability we need."

Chase is sold on OPC-UA and being able to use Linux for control systems. "To me, the move to a true cross platform environment is important," he explains. "This holds many advantages, especially when it comes to system flexibility and security. It helps keep costs down as well."

For more information about Ignition by Inductive Automation, visit www.inductiveautomation.com.