When you choose any sort of SCADA, you'll need to decide;
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"Average", "Clever", or "Smart" ?
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If you only need to MONITOR your equipment or physical systems, that can be referred to as 1-Way, let's call that "Average" as compared to the next levels of SCADA. Your data can be set to record at any interval, or you can view it real time. Because of the dependability of cellular system communications the majority of SCADA systems transmit their data back to an office or other location so staff can observe and record it, and maybe make decisions from what they see. If the proximity of the equipment to the office is short enough, then radio signals can be used and save the cost of cellular services.
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You need "Clever", let's say 2-Way, if you want to MONITOR AND CONTROL your equipment. With this method you can not only observe the equipment's data in real-time, you can also make operational changes to it, like turning something ON or OFF, making something else OPEN or CLOSE, etc. This level of programming is approaching "Smart", so let's just call it "Clever".
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Add "Smartness" to Set It and Forget It
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If you want to implement even MORE control, then you can develop "Smart" SCADA, sort of a "Super 2-Way"! This is an advanced programming option that allows some portion of equipment to automatically do something based on the conditions right there at it's site! The operator won't have to be there, or on the computer to tell it to do that, and probably not even see it happen. An easy example; if water levels come up to "X" level, turn on this pump until the water drops down to the "Y" level. How will you know it happened ? You'll know from the data that is recorded, which can be on any interval from 1 second up to whatever you want. Need a message that something happened? Texts or e-mails can be sent about any information in your system.
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Modern SCADA equipment has come so far in a few decades that the earliest Data Loggers were actually 0-WAY, meaning they just recorded data within themselves. In order to see that data, the operator would have to go to the site and download it to some device for viewing. That option is still possible and can be discussed, but it is rarely used any more.
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Now that you know which "way" you'll be leaning, find out why High Sights will be the perfect partner to help you achieve it.
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Find out on the next page -->
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