IoT Monitoring Software for a SCADA System - Indeema’s Case Study
Short Overview
VikingScada is an IoT web application for monitoring the performance of equipment in the manufacturing industry: oil, water, gas, etc. The solution reduces the amount of fuel used and the time required to manually take measurements from each location, eliminating human errors. It also ensures uptime because personnel receive instant alerts in the case of an issue.
Project Details
- Industry: Energy, Oil & Gas
- Team: 9 engineers
- Lifetime: 2018-2020
- Services: IoT consulting services Tech Advisory R&D Firmware Development IoT Development UI/UX Web Development: Front-end development services, Back-end development services, Database development services, DevOps & Cloud services Software testing service
- Client’s Location: USA
Project Background
VikingSCADA company was founded in 2017 and provides manufacturing operators with an oil and gas SCADA application that delivers real-time field data, reports, and alerts. The client's company assists executives in the oil, water, and gas industries in evaluating digital technologies that have the potential to transform operations and generate additional profits with existing capacity.
What Was The Customer's Request?
- Indeema Software was tasked with developing a customized IoT solution for VikingsSCADA. The idea was to develop an IoT web application for the existing SCADA system. This app was intended to effectively manage and store data from devices installed at end users' sites, primarily in the oil, water, and gas industries.
What Did The Client Already Have?
- At the beginning of your collaboration with the client, they already had a Desktop App, a preliminary vision of the upgraded system architecture, initial requirements for the IoT Web App, access accounts to IoT platforms, hardware units, and RF SCADA sensor boards.
Solution We Delivered
Where did we start?
The first step was to conduct a thorough examination of the available hardware solutions, the processing requirements for the web-related part, and the selection of an appropriate pricing model for the use of cloud infrastructures such as AWS and Azure.
Requirements phase
The client provided Indeema with documents that aid in understanding the end-user requirements. Following a thorough review of these documents, we provided an analysis of the existing desktop application and proposals. Additionally, we suggested creating a step-by-step guide to simplify the process of adding new users and devices to the system.
Specification phase
Once the technology stack for the project was approved, the Indeema team proceeded to create a project description that provided a comprehensive outline of the detailed project structure, the team members involved, and the planned releases. This project description serves as a roadmap for the project, ensuring clear communication and alignment among all stakeholders involved.
Our Development Process
CONFIGURATION AND PROVISIONING
In this stage, the IoT SCADA system was provisioned, with scripts written in Lua running on LTE gateways for phase one and Python scripts running on industrial PCs for phase two.
UX/UI DESIGN
Web applications in the industrial sector typically deal with vast amounts of data that must be presented in an aesthetically pleasing and meaningful manner. Our designers prioritized data visualization techniques that provide users with actionable insights while avoiding information overload.
WEB DEVELOPMENT
The Viking SCADA web application communicates with the RV50 GSM module via the API to receive all sensor data from Viking SCADA PLC devices and display it on the web app dashboard. All data is stored on the DB in the cloud. On the web app, we have implemented the ability for users to create a dashboard to visualize all hardware sensors and monitor their functionality through the web. In addition to the core features, the application was enhanced with additional functionalities such as informing users of available device updates, giving them the option to launch an OTA update on a selected device, and providing real-time device status monitoring.
DEVOPS AND CLOUD ENGINEERING
DevOps services have played a crucial role in orchestrating a sophisticated update mechanism for the gateway module software image through a web interface. We configured a Docker container environment to encapsulate the operational software of the gateway, ensuring consistent deployment across various devices. By utilizing secure cloud storage, we established an automated deployment pipeline for swift and reliable distribution of new software images.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
The onsite working environment at the Indeema office allowed the QA team to closely monitor and evaluate the system's performance, promptly identifying and fixing any potential bugs or glitches. This proximity between the development team and the testing environment fostered effective collaboration and rapid feedback loops, resulting in a more efficient development process. To ensure maximum efficiency and reliability, the web team tested the application with multiple node devices.
MAINTENANCE
To maintain the IoT Web Application, the development team regularly implements updates and patches to fix bugs, improve functionality, and address security issues that arise. They collect real-time data on system health, resource utilization, and response times using monitoring tools. Also, regular data backups are established to ensure that critical data is protected and can be restored in the event of data loss or system failure.
The Team Involved In The Project
WEB Engineers
3
DevOps Specialists
2
Embedded Engineers
2
Designers
2
Project Challenges And Our Suggestions
One of the challenges we faced included reducing the software image size to facilitate continuous development and simplifying initial device provisioning while maintaining security and reliability. To address the software size reduction challenge, we optimized our build process by removing unnecessary dependencies and files, compressing assets, resulting in a streamlined image that enables faster and more efficient deployment. For simplified initial device provisioning, we implemented an automated provisioning system, ensuring each device receives unique credentials and settings upon its first boot, all without compromising user experience or system integrity.
By implementing an on-site working environment at the Indeema office, the risk of hardware/software communication issues was successfully mitigated. This environment improves the productivity, reliability, and overall quality of the project by providing a dedicated space for system debugging and close monitoring.
Impact
By providing comprehensive and innovative solution, Indeema Software was able to help VikingScada meet its business needs and boost the performance of manufacturing equipment.
In addition to designing and developing a web portal with an informative and easy-to-use interface, our team provided a secure practice of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and integrated sensor widgets for real-time data monitoring. We also implemented a remote node device (industrial PC) firmware update feature to help ensure the reliability of the system.
All of these features combined resulted in a product that is more efficient and effective, allowing VikingScada to stay competitive in their industry.
Before And After Cooperation With Indeema
Before:
Before partnering with Indeema Software, VikingScada had a hardware system that necessitated a complicated and time-consuming firmware installation and configuration process, as well as a web portal with basic features
After:
With the assistance of Indeema, VikingScada was able to streamline its firmware installation and configuration, as well as the network connection process, through a unified tool.
Additionally, we redesigned the web portal, incorporating advanced features such as an intuitive interface, sensor widgets, and real-time status visualization of nodes.
As a result, end users can take advantage of cutting-edge industrial technologies via this highly secure, efficient, and effective remote field control and monitoring system.
Technical Highlights
Technologies
JavaScript
React.JS
Node.JS
MongoDB
Stripe
Lua
Python
Redis
Mongoose ORM
RXjS
Strapi Framework
GitLab CI
Docker
Silicons / Hardware
Firefly EC-A3399C industrial PC
RF SCADA boards
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