Given the growing complexity of IT systems, choosing the right SCADA tool (centralised, decentralised or hybrid) has become a strategic decision to guarantee efficiency, security and service continuity. Find out how to optimise your SCADA to guarantee analysis, detailed reporting and data security in a constantly evolving ecosystem.
Understanding the architecture of a SCADA tool
A SCADA tool collects, analyses and displays data from IT infrastructures in real time. It monitors servers, networks and applications to detect anomalies. CODRA’s Edge-to-Service offering illustrates this approach by providing proactive management of critical systems. These tools ensure operational continuity and minimise service interruptions. Choosing a robust, interoperable and scalable SCADA tool is becoming a priority for IT Departments.
SCADA architectures have evolved to keep pace with the growing complexity of IT environments. These tools anticipate breakdowns and transform data into manageable indicators for IT teams.
The choice between centralisation and decentralisation is a strategic one for businesses. It influences infrastructure visibility, responsiveness to alerts and operational performance. Selecting the right architecture depends on the integration needs, connectivity, security and technical objectives specific to each organisation.
Centralised model: control and global vision
The centralised architecture is based on a single server that collects SCADA data via agents installed on remote equipment. This model aggregates technical information to provide a consolidated view of the information system. By centralising data collection, analysis and alerting, the management of small and medium-sized IT infrastructures is optimised.
The centralised SCADA provides complete visibility of IT infrastructures, from the cloud to edge environments. It facilitates team coordination via unified alarm management and proactive incident analysis. It is with this in mind that CODRA is developing its edge computing strategy, offering decentralised SCADA capable of running locally while remaining synchronised with the main system. This approach reduces dependency on the network and optimises operational performance in distributed environments.
This type of SCADA tool is particularly well suited to consolidated infrastructures or controlled environments.
Centralised architectures offer concrete advantages for :
- mastering the observability and complexity of large-scale IT environments;
- complete visibility of IT infrastructures, from the cloud to the edge;
- centralised management of alarms to coordinate safety devices;
- a unified view of the information system for proactive decision-making ;
- adaptation to small and medium-sized infrastructures.
Implementing a centralised solution has technical and organisational limitations. It creates a single point of failure likely to interrupt all SCADA in the event of a breakdown. Adapting to hybrid environments remains complex, with challenges linked to scalability and network latency. Large systems generate an information overload that can undermine the effectiveness of technical monitoring.
Decentralised model: flexibility and resilience
When deployed in multi-site or latency-sensitive environments, a decentralised SCADA tool offers increased responsiveness. The decentralised SCADA architecture distributes monitoring tools and data across several interconnected nodes. Each unit processes the information locally before transmitting it to a central server. This model encourages local autonomy while maintaining a link with the whole.
Decentralisation strengthens the resilience of systems by sharing responsibilities. It increases the responsiveness of teams through SCADA that is close to operations. Adaptation to local conditions encourages targeted technical decisions. This approach reduces dependency on the network and optimises operational performance in distributed environments.
Decentralised architectures are particularly well suited to the following situations:
- Greater flexibility to adapt to local conditions
- Rapid decision-making thanks to proximity to operations
- System resilience through the allocation of responsibilities
- Adaptation to distributed and multi-site environments
- Optimising operational performance in a dynamic context
Decentralised models require a stable network connection to ensure data consistency. Duplication of information between nodes increases the difficulty of administration. Coordination between autonomous units requires specific protocols to avoid inconsistencies. Lack of centralisation complicates overall visibility of key performance indicators.
SCADA tools: trends and hybrid solutions
Evolution towards hybrid models of SCADA tools
Hybrid architecture is emerging as the model of the future for any SCADA tool that wants to combine centralised visibility and local agility. It integrates cloud and local SCADA tools, providing unified visibility and operational flexibility. This is the approach taken by CODRA with its Edge to Service offering, which provides a robust hybrid approach combining local processing, Edge collection and centralised SCADA.
Impact of multi-cloud and hybrid environments on the architecture of SCADA tools
Multi-cloud environments are redefining IT SCADA requirements, with infrastructures distributed between public, private and local clouds. Tools need to manage the complexity of distributed systems, ensuring traceability of business flows. Unified visibility is becoming essential for data security and real-time collaboration. Hybrid architectures enable proactive SCADA of key performance indicators.
Principles of integration between local and centralised solutions
Hybrid architectures are based on standardised protocols such as SNMP, WMI and API. These interfaces ensure data consistency and coordination between local and centralised SCADA. The modularity of modern tools facilitates this integration.
Key success factors for implementing an effective hybrid architecture
The success of a hybrid architecture depends on defining relevant thresholds, eliminating non-critical alerts and adopting appropriate SCADA solutions. It is crucial to establish performance benchmarks before deployment, while maintaining centralised SCADA for key indicators.
Adaptability to complex environments
Modern tools adapt to the heterogeneity of IT systems by integrating technical repositories and ITSM solutions. Integrated SCADA solutions centralise infrastructure and application tools, optimising the management of hybrid environments.
Integrated SCADA solution provides end-to-end visibility in distributed systems via proxy servers that collect data locally before aggregating it centrally. This approach offloads the main server while ensuring rapid detection of anomalies in complex infrastructures. The choice of SCADA tool determines the organisation’s ability to absorb technological change.
CODRA’s Edge to Service solution meets these challenges with a modular, open architecture that can adapt to changes in infrastructure and SCADA distributed systems. Modular architectures adapt to changes in infrastructure by allowing components to be added or modified without disrupting the overall system. This flexibility makes it easy to integrate new technologies and update SCADA processes.
Centralisation, decentralisation or hybrid architecture: the choice affects the effectiveness of network SCADA and the responsiveness to alerts. A well-designed SCADA tool that is interoperable and aligned with the infrastructure becomes a strategic lever for maintaining a high level of operational performance. In a context of expanding cloud environments, the right strategy guarantees global visibility and sustainable operational performance.
