SCADA, or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, is a software application used for process control. It is a control system which consists of several components such as software communication equipment, controller network interfaces, and input/output.  

As a centralized system, SCADA is an IIoT Software that monitors an entire area, allowing operators to change set points for flow and enable alarm systems in case of various emergency conditions, such as the increase in temperature or change in the rate of flow.  

Based on its IIoT architecture and IIoT integration system, SCADA can communicate with all adjacent technical equipment through various networks such as RS-485, among others. The many technological advancements of the recent years have made it possible to standardize communication protocols, with SCADA systems providing remote access to monitoring systems by integrating them with web technologies.  

SCADA Market Growth 

The leading growth factors for the global SCADA market are the assessment of new oil and gas fields, as well as the low operational costs of the SCADA system itself. The increase in demand for new and reliable power distribution as well as transmission systems and remote monitoring are also fueling this growth.  

Already, SCADA systems are widely used across all sectors of the oil and gas industry. They provide enhanced IIoT security, reliability, as well as an increase in profitability for the oil and gas operations.  

Infrastructural Development 

Nevertheless, the water and wastewater application are expected to grow at the highest rate during this period. SCADA is helpful by reducing their costs over the mid and long-term by ensuring reliable system operations that can predict, prevent, and react to all sorts of operational issues that may arise, reducing the possibility of downtime or other unforeseen events.  

Urban infrastructure, which is comprised of the electrical grid, water supply, traffic control, among others, all rely on SCADA for their functions and overall flow. Developing economies, mostly in Asia, is expected to generate the need for SCADA systems in this regard. 

India, for instance, has initiated its 100 Smart Cities Mission, where it seeks to invest over $15 bn. over the next several years, to build efficient management and infrastructure solutions. 

Regional Analysis 

Regarding geography, Asia Pacific will dominate the SCADA market and is expected to grow at an ever faster rate throughout the foreseeable future. India and China will see an increase in SCADA systems demand, especially in the power industry.  

North America is at a close second, with the most significant investments being in the oil and gas industry, as well as the rise of the Industrial Internet of Things which are driving the market in the region. 

Conclusion 

In all, the market is expected to experience a growth worth somewhere around $13.43 bn., by 2022, with a CAGR growth of 6.6% between 2017 and 2022. Industrial mobility, remote management, cloud computing, and increased infrastructure development concerning smart-cities and transport, will all be using SCADA systems.  

For more information, please feel free to visit the Kymera Systems website or contact us at 1-800-470-2302.