Cloud-based SCADA brings significant savings and efficiency
Finland's largest precast concrete manufacturer Consolis Parma wanted to modernize its automation and production control systems to meet the needs of modern and efficient concrete production. The system, which had been in use for over 20 years, was replaced with a new cloud-based system based on the atvise SCADA control room software, which controls and monitors the production of Parma's ten concrete plants across Finland.
Traditional automation meets
modern software solutions
Parma's system renewal was not a traditional SCADA project, but involved the modernization of the entire production control of the concrete batching plants. Elkome's partner SuomiConnect, which has years of experience in programming industrial control room software and implementing database solutions, was chosen to implement the system.
atvise SCADA acts as a control room and production control user interface, on the back of which a large-scale database and software solution was built to meet Parma's needs. The system provides operators with an intuitive and clear view of production, reporting and editing. Data collection enables company management to obtain important information about production and quality management key figures.
- atvise SCADA's software architecture and technologies enabled the system to be customized and developed using modern programming languages and today's requirements. The traditional SCADA level was expanded to also include a database solution and data integrations, which enables the customer to further develop smooth production control and data-driven operations at concrete batching plants, says Teemu Puuska, Business Director at SuomiConnect, describing the opportunities brought by using atvise SCADA.
Cloud-based control room solution
brings clear cost benefits
The aim of the large-scale system project in Parma was to combine perspectives from both the OT and IT worlds and implement a state-of-the-art system based on the latest technology. In a cloud-based solution, where the SCADA software and databases run in a data center and the production automation equipment in the factory, information security, data connection assurance and system duplication are extremely important.
The redundancy of atvise SCADA and technology based on OPC UA architecture enabled the implementation of a cloud-based system. The control room software runs in the data center of a reliable service provider, to which all concrete batching plants are connected via thin client terminals. Production continuity in case of problems has been ensured by local operating terminals.
- The centralized control room has immediately brought cost savings in the development of the system, and it makes maintenance easier and faster. Updates only need to be made in one place and the changes are immediately used in all factories and concrete plants, says Tomi Airo, IT Manager at Consolis Parma, about the benefits achieved with the system.
A new way of thinking about
software license pricing
Traditional SCADA systems are priced tag-based and each client must be paid for separately. An unlimited number of clients can be connected to the atvise SCADA system without additional costs. Pricing is based on the total number of tags on the screens of simultaneous users. This pricing model removes all old restrictions on data sharing and the number of users.
- In addition to the fact that we did not have to purchase separate SCADA licenses for each factory, we also received significant cost savings from atvise's interesting pricing model. atvise SCADA was only a fraction of the final cost compared to competing control room solutions, Airo continues about the cost benefits of the system.
The implementation of the system receives praise
from operators and company management
SuomiConnect has taken determined and systematic responsibility for the design and implementation of the Parma system project. Professional user interface design and software expertise have enabled the implementation of a state-of-the-art control room and production control system. The operation and usability of the system have been ensured by also involving the operators of Parma's concrete production in the development project.
- SuomiConnect's role and leadership with other subcontractors involved in the project have been key to the success of the project. The operators have also been satisfied with how production has been taken into account in the different stages of the system's implementation, Airo praises the success of the large-scale project.
Discover atvise SCADA software >>
SuomiConnect – Industrial software and IoT solutions
SuomiConnect specializes in the development, implementation and maintenance of industrial software and IoT solutions for SMEs. SuomiConnect offers its customers industrial SCADA control room systems, database and interface solutions and IoT services. SuomiConnect is known for its high level of expertise and customer orientation in the design and implementation of systems using modern technology solutions to meet today's requirements. SuomiConnect acts as a system integrator partner for atvise SCADA in several industries.
Parma – A Responsible Precast Concrete Manufacturer
Parma is Finland’s leading precast concrete manufacturer, offering innovative and sustainable solutions to the construction industry. The company manufactures high-quality precast concrete elements for residential, commercial and infrastructure construction. Parma invests in product development and environmentally friendly solutions, making construction more efficient and responsible.
"We have a long-standing collaboration with Elkome regarding production computers and remote connection solutions. We received a proposal from Elkome about atvise SCADA for the implementation of our new control room. Through Elkome, we also found a contractor for the extensive production control renovation."
Tomi Airo, Parma Oy
