Thomas Brown Controls
Services

SCADA and HMI engineering for industrial control systems

TBC develops operator interfaces that make plant state, alarms and required actions clear, with navigation, data and diagnostics designed around the way the system is actually operated.

Operator interface

Operator information and diagnostics

The operator should be able to see the current state, understand which commands are available and identify the condition preventing an action without working through several unrelated screens.

  • Current equipment state, operating mode and command availability
  • Permissive and interlock indication where it helps diagnosis
  • Alarm priorities, event information and useful operator context
  • Trends, historical data and diagnostic views built around real tasks
MimicsProcess, electrical and equipment views organised around the way the plant is operated.
CommandsAvailability and control authority presented consistently with the underlying PLC logic.
AlarmsPriorities, acknowledgement and supporting information designed to help the operator act.
DiagnosticsTrends, events and status detail give engineering teams useful evidence when behaviour is unclear.
Integration

SCADA connected to the wider control system

The visualisation layer is developed alongside PLC logic, communications and electrical interfaces. Breaker or equipment state, commands, alarms and diagnostics are kept consistent so the operator sees the same system the controls engineer is testing.

  • PLC communications and tag structures
  • OPC UA and industrial protocol interfaces where required
  • Integration with electrical, power-management and packaged systems
  • Existing HMI/SCADA modifications and controlled backups
PLCCommands, status, modes, alarms and diagnostics aligned with PLC logic.
Power systemsBreaker state, metering, generator and load-management information.
NetworksCommunications architecture considered alongside availability and diagnostics.
DataHistorical values and events configured around useful engineering information.
Testing

Proved before operators depend on it

SCADA and HMI testing covers navigation, controls, alarms, data and communications as part of the wider system FAT and commissioning process.

  • Screen and navigation testing
  • Alarm, event and trend verification
  • PLC communication and tag testing
  • Simulation, FAT, site commissioning and defect closeout
SimulationApplication behaviour checked before live plant is available where practical.
FATOperator workflows tested against functional requirements.
SATInstalled interfaces, networks and equipment states verified on site.
HandoverApplication backups and configuration information issued under control.
Platforms & integration

Established SCADA platforms integrated around the plant

TBC develops, modifies and supports established industrial HMI and SCADA platforms, with the application and communications architecture selected around the project requirement and existing client standards.

  • PLC systems, OPC UA and industrial Ethernet communications
  • Databases, historical data and engineering information interfaces
  • Power-management, generator and electrical-control systems
  • Third-party equipment and packaged-system integration
AVEVA InTouch HMIDevelopment and modification of InTouch applications, including systems using the former Wonderware InTouch branding.
IgnitionIgnition by Inductive Automation for industrial HMI, SCADA and system-integration applications.
Siemens WinCCSIMATIC WinCC and WinCC Unified applications integrated with Siemens and third-party control systems.
Existing systemsLegacy HMI and SCADA applications where controlled modification, migration or integration is required.
Related engineering

A clear HMI depends on trustworthy control-system data.

SCADA can only present what the PLC, networks and field interfaces make available. TBC keeps naming, states, alarms and control authority aligned so the operator interface reflects the system that is actually installed.

PLC engineeringCommands, modes, alarms and diagnostics structured so SCADA receives meaningful system state.
Functional designOperator actions, alarms and control authority defined before screens are built.
FAT, SAT & commissioningNavigation, alarms, data and communications proved with the wider system.
Control systems integrationSCADA, PLC, networks and third-party equipment aligned around defined data and control interfaces.

Need an HMI or SCADA application developed or improved?

Share the existing application, PLC information or operator requirement and TBC can define the work needed to develop, modify or test it.

Discuss a project

Explore the process-control demonstration

Try tank transfers, blending and protective trips using simulated equipment.

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