What Is SCADA? Industrial Automation Software Guide
SCADA is a supervisory system that monitors many PLCs and devices. Review Plant SCADA, AVEVA Edge and InTouch license types, tag counts and selection criteria.
What is SCADA and where is it used
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a system made up of software and hardware elements that make it possible to monitor and supervise industrial processes. The operator sees the data coming from plant equipment in real time; historical data can also be recorded. It is used in areas such as water and wastewater, energy, manufacturing, transportation and recycling.
The products in this category are software licenses, not hardware. The category is within the Automation and Control group, and the sample product names include Plant SCADA, Plant HMI, AVEVA Edge, AVEVA InTouch, Vijeo Designer and EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert.
License types in this category
- Plant SCADA 2023 Server: Server licenses are listed with tag values of 1000 and 10000 in the sample names. The manufacturer page mentions transferring project changes to servers and clients centrally and in a controlled manner.
- Plant SCADA 2023 Control Client: This is the item listed separately for the client side; tag values of 1000, 2500 and 10000 are seen in the names. The manufacturer mentions a desktop client for control room workstations.
- Plant HMI 2023: Listed under a separate product name; tag values of 100, 300 and 600 appear in the names. Its scope should be read according to the manufacturer documentation.
- AVEVA Edge 2023 SCADA Runtime: The names include 150 tags or 16K tags and a Thin Client reference. The manufacturer states that Edge runtime environments are offered for Windows and Linux.
- AVEVA InTouch Unlimited Professional: The manufacturer describes InTouch HMI as HMI visualization software for operators.
- Runtime licenses: The Vijeo Designer Runtime PC license and the EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert Runtime IPC and PC license are separate items. The terms Runtime, PC and IPC in their names point to a computer and operating environment; verify the scope from the manufacturer documentation.
Difference between SCADA, HMI and PLC
A PLC is hardware designed for real-time control of individual machines or assets. An HMI is the interface software through which the operator interacts with devices such as sensors, valves and motors. SCADA is a broader system that can supervise many PLCs and other devices together.
This category does not show PLC programming software in its examples; for PLC hardware see PLC Systems, and for display hardware see the HMI and Operator Panels category.
What to look at when choosing a license
- Tag count: A tag is a data point; for example, a temperature value or the running status of a motor. The tag value in the license name must meet the needs of the project. The number required for the project is determined by the counting rule in the manufacturer's licensing guide.
- Role: Whether you need a server that collects data, a client the operator looks at, or a single-machine HMI.
- Operating platform: The computer the application will run on, a Panel PC or a server must be compatible with the operating system the software supports.
- Version and product family: The license is chosen to match the software and version with which the existing project was prepared. Compare the product code and version information exactly.
- Communication: For communication with field devices, the gateways and switches on the Industrial Communication side should also be planned.
On the electrical side, there is also a separate Energy Monitoring Software and Services category for collecting meter and analyzer data.
Brands in this category
All products in the category are Schneider Electric branded. The sample product names include license items such as Plant SCADA, Plant HMI, AVEVA Edge and AVEVA InTouch, as well as Vijeo Designer and EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert runtime licenses and SoMove software.
Order notes
Products are listed per piece. Some items are marked as made to order; for these, the lead time is confirmed during the ordering process. Terms such as Softkey or Digital may appear in product names; to find the right item, type the stock code into the search box.
Comparison and selection table
| Selection Criterion | PLC & HMI Engineering Software | SCADA Supervision & Historian Software | Industrial OPC / Protocol Gateway Software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Function | Logic programming (LD/ST/FBD) & HMI screen design | Plant-wide visualization, alarms, trends & batch logs | Bridging multi-vendor PLCs to IT/MES/SCADA |
| Licensing Model | Per engineering seat or hardware series bundle | Scaled by tag count (I/O tags) + Runtime/Development | Per driver channel or runtime server license |
| Supported Protocols | Modbus, Profinet, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP | OPC UA/DA, Modbus TCP, MQTT, SQL database logging | Cross-protocol translation & telemetry |
| Key Check | Exact firmware compatibility with PLC/HMI family | Total active tag capacity & web/client seats | OS compatibility & redundant server requirements |
Frequently asked questions
Is SCADA the same as HMI software?
No. HMI software provides the visual interface through which the operator interacts with field devices. SCADA is a broader system that can supervise many PLCs and other devices together. Some products, such as AVEVA Edge, are described as both a SCADA and an HMI solution; the license scope should be read according to the product code and manufacturer data.
Does SCADA software replace a PLC?
No. A PLC is hardware designed for real-time control of individual machines or assets. SCADA software can be used together with many PLCs; it makes it possible to monitor manufacturer and device data from a single place. The division of duties between the two layers is determined by the project design and manufacturer documentation.
How does the tag count affect license selection?
In the product names in this category, tag values such as 100, 1000, 10000 or 16K appear, and they distinguish the different license items. A tag is a data point. Some manufacturers price a SCADA license by client or tag count. Verify your project's tag requirement and the manufacturer's counting rule from the licensing guide; then choose the item.
What is the difference between a runtime license and development software?
Development software is the tool with which you prepare the screens and the application. Runtime is the component in which the prepared application runs. For example, for AVEVA Edge the manufacturer states that an application can be developed once and deployed to Linux-based edge devices, PCs and industrial computers. The category includes items such as the Vijeo Designer Runtime PC license; check the scope in the manufacturer documentation.
Are Plant SCADA Server and Control Client licenses needed together?
In the product names, Server and Control Client appear as separate items. The manufacturer mentions an architecture in which project changes are transferred to servers and clients. Which combination is required depends on how many operator stations will be set up and on the project architecture. Before ordering, refer to the manufacturer's licensing guide and the project design.