IN REVIEW

IN REVIEW

SCADA systems of today are an excellent means for operators of process control sites to save time and money. But from the hundreds of SCADA system providers to choose from, one poor decision may lead you down the path to countless frustrations, inefficiencies and unnecessary expenses. We at EPG Companies Inc. have prepared this pre-system assessment to help prepare the way for you to purchase a SCADA system that will give you years of cost-effective and dependable process control while leaving you open for tomorrows expansions and options. In closing consider the following:

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

The ROI (return on investment) and benefits produced by a properly engineered PLC SCADA system will far outweigh your initial investment if the right equipment is chosen and installed correctly. To help facilitate a suitable and beneficial choice, consider answering the following:

Existing Equipment

1. How many sites do you have in operation?
2. What type of equipment is presently in place at all sites? (pumps, valves, monitors, etc.)
3. What type of equipment will be installed in the future? (upgrades, additions, new sites, etc.)
4. What type of telemetry, data acquisition or SCADA system is presently installed? (proprietary, outdated, basic telemetry, etc.)
5. What type of telemetry network or communication path is presently in place?
Topology: Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint, Multipoint-to-Multipoint
Transmission Mode: Hardwire, Telephone, Fiber Optics, Radio/Microwave
6. What type of protocol is being used and will it integrate well with future equipment?
7. What type of software is being used with the present system? Does it come with complete documentation and support? Is it likely to be supported in the future?
8. How many data-dependent users are on the present system?
9. How well would you rate the performance standards of your present system? Is it reliable?
10. What equipment can/will continue to be used? (field equipment, present SCADA components, software, etc.)
11. Can the present equipment and/or upgrades integrate well and communicate with the new equipment?
12. What type of maintenance or service arrangement is presently in place? How will it change with new equipment?
13. What are your present costs for inspection, maintenance and repair? How can it be changed to be cost-effective? How will it change with a new SCADA or data acquisition system?
14. If changes are made to the present system, will outside vendors (telephone company, satellite links, etc.) service change and what are those changes? (new transmission modes, service charges, etc.)