For decades, traditional SCADA systems have been defined by costly per-seat licensing models, limited access points, and rigid architecture. As industrial automation moves toward more connected, responsive, and data-rich environments, those old models are showing their age.
This is where Inductive Automation shines with its Ignition platform. Ignition is a modern, flexible, SCADA platform that is redefining the industry standard.
Per-seat licensing drives up costs and limits growth. Client software requirements restrict where and how users access SCADA; remote access is often limited. The per-seat licensing structure can be great for small systems but can be costly in a large site SCADA. Many SCADA Platforms are also hardware limited, so the user is either limited to a single hardware platform or requires a secondary SCADA system. In a constantly evolving field, some of these challenges can really limit a company’s potential to grow.
Ignition’s Perspective module is a web-based visualization platform that changes how the modern industry uses SCADA. Being web-based means that there are no platform limitations. All that is needed is a web-browser and a network connection. This also means that viewing your SCADA system is no longer limited to computers. Tablets and phones can now be used to view critical information from your system.
For a deeper look at how data visualization platforms like Ignition turn real-time plant data into actionable insights, read our post on Choosing How to Monitor Your Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE)
Ignition offers flexible licensing options, so small systems can have a per-seat license, but larger systems can take advantage of an unlimited licensing model to avoid running out of client seats, and future licensing upgrades with expansions. Ignitions designer software is included in the cost, making it accessible for system changes. If you are interested in trying Ignition but can’t make a financial commitment until you know it is right for you, Ignition has unlimited 2-hour free trials.
Ignition provides drivers for hardware platforms such as Allen-Bradley and Siemens, or different communications protocols such as BACnet, OPC UA, and Modbus, making it so you are not locked into a single hardware platform. Interoperability and data connectivity are also key enablers for intelligent automation—learn more in AI in Industrial Automation: Tools, Use Cases & Insights
With SCADA Systems making their way into corporate networks, cyber security becomes increasingly more important to having a safe and secure system. The Ignition platform offers SSL/TLS encryption to ensure your data is safe and secure while viewing your SCADA system. Role based access control makes it so only authorized personnel can make changes to your system. In addition to having its own internal identity provider, Ignition is also compatible with OpenID Connect 1.0, and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) 2.0, so it can be tied into your company infrastructure and streamline user management. Designing secure automation systems requires coordination across disciplines. Learn how Hallam-ICS approaches safety and compliance in Spill Control & Containment: Code Basics & Solutions
Ignition not only makes it easy to use and adapt their software but also to learn it. Before working for Hallam-ICS I was not familiar with Ignition. I was fortunate to mentor with experience Hallam engineers. Their online training, and user manual made it easy to learn so I could start deploying it, and maintaining it on projects in industries such as manufacturing, higher education, and semi-conductor fabrication.
Ignition is flexible but still requires careful planning and execution to ensure a reliable deployment. Having secure network architecture ensures that all the necessary people have access to your system, without opening the door to vulnerabilities. Perspective offers a responsive UI, however different devices may react differently. Ensure that if you are looking to have handheld devices connect to your SCADA, that the UI fits the smaller size.
Q: Is Ignition truly web-based?
A: Yes. Perspective serves HMIs through a standard web browser—no thick clients—so teams can safely enable remote SCADA access.
Q: How does Ignition’s unlimited licensing work?
A: Start with per-seat and grow into unlimited clients/sessions, avoiding surprise costs as usage expands.
Q: Can Ignition integrate Allen-Bradley and Siemens on the same system?
A: Yes—built-in drivers plus OPC UA make hardware-agnostic SCADA practical in mixed-vendor plants.
Q: What security options does Ignition support?
A: SSL/TLS, RBAC, and enterprise SSO via SAML 2.0 and OpenID Connect 1.0.
Q: What’s the difference between Perspective and traditional HMI clients?
A: Perspective is web-native and responsive (desktop to phone), reducing installs and easing updates.
Q: Where does Ignition fit best:
A: Manufacturing, life sciences, and semiconductor operations that need mobile visibility
Ignition is not just another SCADA platform; it's a transformational tool that's helping industrial operations break free from the limitations of traditional systems. With its web-based architecture, flexible licensing, robust security features, and wide compatibility with industry-standard protocols and hardware, Ignition empowers businesses to build smarter, more scalable, and more accessible automation solutions. While thoughtful implementation is still essential, the potential benefits of Ignition, greater mobility, improved data access, and reduced long-term costs, make it a compelling choice for organizations ready to modernize their operations. As the demands on industrial systems continue to grow, platforms like Ignition are not just changing the game, they're defining its future.
About the Author
Joel Marcucilli is a Controls Engineer in the Massachusetts office, who joined Hallam-ICS in November of 2023. He primarily works to provide solutions for clients in Higher Education, Advanced Science, Semiconductor Fabrication and Research, and Life Science Industries.
Read My Hallam Story
About Hallam-ICS
Hallam-ICS is an engineering and automation company that designs MEP systems for facilities and plants, engineers control and automation solutions, and ensures safety and regulatory compliance through arc flash studies, commissioning, and validation. Our offices are located in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, North Carolina and Texas, and our projects take us world-wide.