SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a category of software for process control including the gathering of data in real time from remote locations. SCADA is widely used in factory wide automation, power plants, oil and gas refining, telecommunications, transportation, as well as in water and waste control. SCADA systems cover hardware and software components to process collected data and present such information in a timely manner. SCADA records and logs all events for determining historical trends and provide valuable information for detailed analysis. With the ability to monitor critical processes in real time, SCADA alerts personnel when conditions become hazardous and takes corrective action either automatically or through personnel intervention.

AIS Group has just successfully commissioned such a system at Water Services Corporation. Through this technology WSC is able to monitor and control its operations throughout the Maltese islands.

Based on broadband technology and combined with wireless communication such as radio and GPRS, SCADA systems from AIS bring to the forefront the ability for managers to control remote and unattended sites at all times from the comfort of their offices.

The integration of wireless radio communication with high-speed broadband networks underscores the potential for acquiring real-time information over large distances. Remote sites provide useful data such as storage tank levels, status of pumping stations, process instrumentation readings and other. Being able to transfer all this data centrally makes it possible for WSC to better manage their resources and operations. Having applied broadband communication with wireless radio, AIS finds itself in the forefront of this emerging technology and its work has generated interest from foreign companies active in this industry.

AIS’s software readily interfaces with installed equipment making it suitable for use in many diverse applications. Various measuring instrumentation, such as pressure, temperature, turbidity, flow and other physical parameters provide site-specific data. Together with plant and equipment status and control, such data is transferred from the field and communicated to a central server. The server manages this data and through SQL services distributes the required information to relevant personnel, such as engineers, system managers and operators. As the database is built with an open architecture structure, it is possible to link SCADA generated information with other financial or administrative software. Through a web-based interface, it is also possible to access the SCADA throughout any computer within the organisation from a standard web browser. As the Internet becomes more readily accepted and with the convenience of GPRS, mobility is fast becoming a much sought after feature.

Typically diverse personnel with a varying degree of background use SCADA and it is always a challenge to communicate clearly data to them. Attractively designed and animated screens make it possible to present data graphically and in a logical manner making it easy to project a quick overview of the operations and at the same time providing sufficient detail for accurate measurements.

Having invested in SCADA technology, today AIS has a product that adds value to any organisation with operations spread over many locations. Typical industry that would benefit from this product are large manufacturing industry, power plants, chemical and petrochemical industry, water and waste water plants, oil rigs and similar activities where real-time information is of essence for the safety of personnel and efficient operation of plant and equipment.