Our SCADA supervisory software, BluePlant, is a cutting-edge solution for industrial process supervision, control, and data acquisition. Designed with a robust set of features, it supports a wide range of applications — from small human-machine interfaces (HMIs) to full-scale industrial plant management. Built on modern .NET technology, BluePlant stands out for its flexibility, scalability, and security, making it the ideal choice for industries that require strict control and high operational efficiency.
Its applications span various sectors, including building automation, automotive, food and pharmaceutical industries, agribusiness, water and wastewater management, sugar and ethanol production, steelmaking, mining, and other key segments within Industry 4.0.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the key features that position BluePlant as a state-of-the-art solution for industrial process supervision, control, and data acquisition.
Real-time database
BluePlant features a real-time database that streamlines information synchronization across processes, servers, and multiple client stations—without the need for additional programming. It supports various tag types, including digital, integer analog, double analog, decimal analog, text, timer, counter, and date/time variables. This functionality enhances data management speed and ensures reliable communication between industrial systems.
See more details about the tag types available in BluePlant below:
- – Embedded data table tags: the real-time database in BluePlant supports embedded data table tags, enabling dynamic access to stored datasets within the standard .NET data table object. This allows for efficient queries and structured real-time data handling.
- – Reference tags: reference tags allow runtime switching of tag links, ensuring greater system adaptability to operational changes or integration needs.
- – Array tags: depending on the product version, users can define one- to three-dimensional structures, improving data organization and optimization for applications requiring structured storage and multi-value access.
- – User-defined types and structures: BluePlant allows users to create custom types and structures in real time, offering flexibility to tailor the database to specific industrial processes and user needs.
- – Advanced tag properties: a comprehensive set of tag properties is available in runtime configuration, allowing detailed adjustments to optimize performance and customize operations.
Integration with .NET languages and scripting
BluePlant is fully compatible with the Microsoft .NET Framework, allowing users to write scripts in C# or VB.NET for enhanced customization and process automation within the platform. An integrated language converter enables dynamic switching between programming languages, making it easier to adapt code as project requirements evolve.
See more details about the key programming features available in BluePlant below:
- – VB.NET functions and procedures: BluePlant allows direct access to platform objects through VB.NET functions and procedures, making it easier to customize and automate processes.
- – Event-driven scripting: the system enables dynamic execution of scripts linked to process events, ensuring seamless connectivity between tags and system events.
- – Script debugging: scripts come with debugging support, allowing users to insert breakpoints for detailed code analysis during execution. This feature simplifies error identification and correction.
- – Class library support: users can create custom classes, which can be accessed by other scripts and interface screens, enabling a modular code structure.
- – Integrated .NET editor with IntelliSense: the built-in .NET editor includes IntelliSense, assisting with tag name and object property selection, making coding more intuitive.
- – Exception handling and trace messages: BluePlant offers full .NET Framework support, enabling integration with external components and services, ensuring robust exception handling and detailed trace messages.
Alarms and Security
Security and alarm management are key highlights of BluePlant. The system supports multiple alert levels (Hi, HiHi, Lo, LoLo), ensuring a quick response to critical events. It also provides event tracking with millisecond timestamping and redundant application support for enhanced reliability.
See more details about BluePlant’s advanced security features below:
- – High-resolution timestamping: BluePlant operates with millisecond-level timestamps (when available) and utilizes remote I/O system time, ensuring precise data synchronization, regardless of the local computer’s time settings.
- – Integrated visualization objects: the system supports real-time and historical graphics, accessible both locally and via the Web, offering flexible access to critical information.
- – Alarm groups and object items: users can directly access alarm properties within the system, eliminating the need to manually create additional tags, streamlining alarm management.
Historians and trend analysis
BluePlant simplifies data collection and historical storage by supporting external databases such as Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle. The system allows granular configuration of recording intervals and trigger-based event capture, optimizing data management and predictive analysis.
Explore BluePlant’s advanced data management features:
- – ADO database connection: BluePlant enables historian data storage in any external database compatible with ADO.NET, ensuring flexibility and seamless integration with various systems.
- – Integrated SQL database: if no external database is specified, data is automatically recorded in BluePlant’s built-in SQL database, providing reliable and easily accessible storage.
- – Historian deadband per tag: users can define a minimum variation threshold for tag recording, preventing the storage of insignificant data fluctuations, thereby optimizing space and processing efficiency.
- – Minimum time interval configuration: allows setting a minimum recording interval, helping to create more compact and efficient databases.
Integrated reporting module
Unlike other SCADA solutions, BluePlant features a built-in report editor, enabling the generation of documents in multiple formats. With support for dynamic tables and real-time tag values, this module enhances data analysis quality and streamlines decision-making.
Explore the key features of the BluePlant report editor:
- – Integrated editor: an intuitive and user-friendly interface allows for advanced text editing directly within BluePlant. It supports tables, images, hyperlinks, and text formatting, ensuring fully customizable reports.
- – Multi-format support: reports can be saved in various formats, including HTML and XPS, providing flexibility for sharing and integration with other systems. XPS files offer seamless deployment in distributed environments, ensuring easy viewing across compatible platforms.
- – Easy copy and paste functionality: users can edit content externally in applications such as Microsoft Word, HTML editors, or RTF processors. Simply copy and paste between BluePlant and other software while preserving formatting and data integrity.
- – One-click real-time tag insertion: with just a single click, users can insert real-time data values directly into their reports, ensuring up-to-date and accurate information.
Built on Microsoft WPF technology, the BluePlant graphic editor enables the creation of interactive and responsive screens. With support for HTML5 Web and Smart Client technologies, the system ensures cross-platform accessibility, allowing process supervision from any device with a compatible browser.
Explore the key graphical features of BluePlant:
- – BluePlant Visualizer Client:designed as a desktop application, this client is ideal for industrial and intranet environments with high-security requirements. It can lock Windows task switching, disabling shortcuts such as CTRL+ALT+DEL and ALT+TAB, preventing unauthorized access. Recommended for operators and users who require a controlled and secure environment.
- – Web Smart Client: utilizing Microsoft .NET Smart Client technology, this solution enables remote installation with a single click, without requiring administrative permissions. It automatically updates on remote clients whenever the server is updated, ensuring synchronized versions. By leveraging the full performance of the remote computer, it combines the benefits of a centralized installation with reduced maintenance complexity.
- – Web HTML5 Client: allows direct execution of screens in web browsers with no additional software installation required. Fully cross-platform, it is compatible with Windows, Android, iOS, and other operating systems. This ensures practical and flexible remote access, making it ideal for monitoring and operation without specific dependencies.
Check out one of our BluePlant success cases: Bianchini's continuous fow system implemented in record time
Deployment models:
BluePlant is available in four deployment models, each tailored to different needs:
- – Enterprise: the most comprehensive solution, ideal for advanced industrial process management and real-time data integration.
- – Lite: designed for smaller industrial systems, perfect for machines, industrial computers, and embedded devices.
- – Student: developed for educational institutions, universities, and training centers, enabling hands-on learning in industrial automation.
- – Express: a trial version, ideal for quick testing and experimentation, but not intended for field applications.
Access our complete playlist of BluePlant tutorials by clicking here
BluePlant SCADA stands out as a powerful and adaptable solution for industrial monitoring and control. Its modular architecture, enhanced security, and support for the latest communication technologies make it an ideal choice for companies seeking efficiency, reliability, and innovation in their industrial processes.
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