While PLC performs the measurement and control part in automation, SCADA aids by visualizing the data within PLC
Benefits of SCADA could be summarized as below:
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Ability to view PLC data in real-time environment
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Visual/animated representation of the plant to aid the plant personnel in problem diagnosis
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Ability to input user data to PLC in terms of setpoint or batch recipes
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User authentication to prevent mal-operation especially of point #3 above
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Ability to provide some basic level time plots of critical parameters
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Basic level of data archiving (not as effectively as an historian software)
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Some SCADA software allow monitoring of PLC ladder logic in runtime mode for debugging
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Report generation features
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Provide an interface to level 3 (L3) softwares dealing with ERP / BI (Business Intelligence)
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Monitoring the same plant data across multiple control rooms (this feature was not possible with HMIs)