Decrease HMI/SCADA risk as a value-added service

Windows 7 Obsolescence Offers Integrators an OpportunityAlicia_Bowers_Millinger.jpg

By Alicia Bowers Millinger

Many of your customers are running their plant operations with serious risk. They are using Windows 7, which reaches end of life in January 2020.
They could even be using an older OS. The question is, are they using the most up-to-date version of their HMI/SCADA software?

Most industrial applications lack recommended updates and security patches, which make them a target for hackers. Outdated architectures,
backups and spares can also create problems. With the number of attacks on industrial applications rising and the critical need for plant system availability, you can add value for your customers by helping to minimize HMI/SCADA risk. You can decrease their unplanned downtime and protect
their organization.

Five good reasons to upgrade

Here are five good reasons for customers to upgrade their OS and HMI/SCADA systems:

  • Avoid obsolescence Windows 7 end of life provides an immediate discussion opportunity
  • Enhance the security of their systems
  • Benefit from new functionality
  • Mobilize applications easily and quickly
  • Provide a better foundation for IoT and analytics

Regular updates and alignment to the latest features improve system availability. On the other hand, lapses in updates increase security concerns. Additionally, customers probably have higher, hidden costs by continuing to use an obsolete version of their software.

Modernizing the OS and HMI/SCADA version is a foundational step. Before you take any other steps to modernize a customer’s system including with analytics or web-based interfaces make sure the OS and SCADA are up to date with versions and patches. This will enable you to start with the right platform to enhance customer capabilities.

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Regular updates and alignment to the latest features improve system availability.


Be the champion

Lastly, minimizing risk isn’t a one-time or once-a-year activity. With serious threats on the rise, help your customers by incorporating risk assessments and reviews into your schedule with them. The frequency of your risk assessments depends on the business, industry and plant applications. Start with a conservative, high-frequency schedule; you can always increase the time between assessments, as needed. Be the champion for your customers to minimize risk in their plant operations to drive leadership and consistency to the program, enhancing their system availability, performance and uptime.

For your customers ready to modernize, GE Digital’s iFIX Version 6.1 and CIMPLICITY 10 provide fourth generation HMI/SCADA technology, including Rapid Application Development and support for the latest in OS.


Alicia Bowers Millinger is Senior Product Marketing Manager for
 Automation and Historian Software at  GE Digital, headquartered in San Ramon, California.