In modern industrial environments, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems play a critical role in monitoring, controlling, and optimizing production processes. However, traditional SCADA architectures—typically built on industrial PCs (IPC) combined with external displays—are increasingly facing challenges in cost, complexity, and scalability.
The emergence of edge computing devices like the TPC371 Industrial Edge Visualization Tablet is redefining how local SCADA systems are deployed in factories.
Conventional SCADA deployments usually rely on the following architecture:
PLCs and field devices collect data
Industrial PC runs SCADA software
External monitor provides visualization
Data is optionally sent to the cloud
While functional, this approach introduces several pain points:
High system cost (IPC hardware + display + SCADA licenses)
Complex deployment and wiring
Maintenance challenges (OS updates, software issues, cybersecurity risks)
Limited flexibility for edge intelligence
As factories move toward Industry 4.0, a more streamlined and intelligent solution is required.
The TPC371 Industrial Edge Visualization Tablet integrates data acquisition, visualization, edge computing, and cloud connectivity into a single industrial-grade device.
This enables a simplified SCADA architecture:
Field Devices → TPC371 → Local Visualization + Cloud Integration
With TPC371, there is no longer a need for a separate IPC or external display.
TPC371 supports a wide range of industrial communication protocols, including:
Modbus RTU / TCP
OPC UA
BACnet
IEC 60870-5-104
This allows seamless integration with:
PLCs
Power meters
Sensors
Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
TPC371 provides flexible options for building local SCADA interfaces:
Web-based SCADA (HTML5 dashboards)
Node-RED Dashboard
Qt-based HMI applications
Custom industrial visualization software
With its integrated touchscreen display, operators can:
Monitor real-time data
View dashboards and trends
Manage alarms
Interact directly with equipment
Unlike traditional SCADA systems, TPC371 brings computation closer to the field.
With support for:
Python
Node-RED
Docker
Users can implement:
Data filtering and preprocessing
Local automation logic
Event-driven control
AI-based anomaly detection
This significantly improves system responsiveness and reduces reliance on cloud infrastructure.
TPC371 supports multiple northbound protocols:
MQTT
HTTP / HTTPS
WebSocket
This enables easy integration with:
IoT cloud platforms
MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems)
ERP systems
Factories can achieve both local control and remote monitoring simultaneously.
Replace IPC + monitor + SCADA software with a single integrated device.
Reduce hardware, licensing, and maintenance expenses by up to 30–60%.
Local processing ensures millisecond-level response without network dependency.
Designed for harsh environments with wide temperature support and robust protection.
Easily extend from basic monitoring to advanced AI-driven analytics.
TPC371-based local SCADA systems are ideal for:
Smart manufacturing lines
Energy management systems
Water and wastewater treatment plants
Building automation systems
Equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance
As industrial systems continue to evolve toward decentralization and intelligence, traditional SCADA architectures are becoming increasingly inefficient.
The TPC371 Industrial Edge Visualization Tablet offers a modern alternative—combining visualization, control, and edge computing into a compact, reliable, and cost-effective solution.
By adopting TPC371, factories can transform their SCADA systems into lightweight, flexible, and future-ready edge platforms.
