Portable HMI and SCADA: The Role of AVEVA Edge in Modern Industrial Automation

In the rapidly evolving world of industrial automation, seamless interaction between humans and machines is essential for efficient and reliable operations. From factory floors to building management systems (BMS), Human Machine Interface (HMI) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are at the heart of industrial control infrastructure. But as industries move toward smart factories and connected operations, legacy systems often struggle to keep up.

This is where AVEVA Edge HMI/SCADA software comes in—a modern, lightweight, and powerful solution built for the next generation of industrial applications, from embedded systems to full-scale SCADA implementations.

AVEVA Edge is a versatile, cross-platform solution tailored for embedded, OEM, and IIoT applications.

What Are HMI and SCADA?

HMI (Human Machine Interface) is the user interface that allows operators to interact with machines and processes. Whether it’s a touchscreen on a factory machine or a dashboard for a building automation system, HMIs provide visual insights into real-time data, system status, and alarms.

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) builds on HMI by adding centralized monitoring, data acquisition, and control across distributed systems. It enables large-scale coordination of operations across multiple sites, combining data logging, historical trends, remote access, and alarm management into a cohesive environment.

Together, HMI/SCADA systems enable smarter decision-making, reduced downtime, and greater visibility into industrial systems.

Why the Shift Toward Modern Portable Platforms?

Today’s industrial environments are becoming increasingly connected and complex. The rise of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cloud connectivity, and edge computing demands that HMI/SCADA systems be:

• Portable, flexible and cross-platform

• Lightweight and scalable

• Secure and interoperable

• Mobile and remote-access ready

Traditional monolithic software architectures are giving way to modular, open solutions that can run on anything from industrial PCs to IoT gateways and Raspberry Pi.

Enter AVEVA Edge: A Modern HMI/SCADA Platform

In a world where industrial operations demand agility, reliability, and intelligent connectivity, AVEVA Edge emerges as a modern portable HMI/SCADA platform purpose-built for the evolving needs of automation. From embedded systems to enterprise-level control, AVEVA Edge empowers developers and operators with a rich suite of capabilities—ensuring efficient deployment, streamlined monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.

Key Features

Below, we explore the key features that make AVEVA Edge a standout solution for industries aiming to modernize their operations and embrace the future of edge computing and industrial IoT.

1. Portability - Develop your application once and deploy it across multiple platforms, including Windows and Linux. This flexibility ensures consistent performance across diverse hardware configurations.

2. Mobility - Access your HMI/SCADA applications from virtually any device using HTML5-based web publishing. Whether on smartphones, tablets, or panel PCs, real-time monitoring and control are at your fingertips.

3. Interoperability - With native integration capabilities, AVEVA Edge supports a wide range of protocols and devices, facilitating seamless communication within heterogeneous environments.

4. KPI Logging - Effortlessly log data to local files, SQL databases, historians, or AVEVA Insight in the cloud, enabling comprehensive performance tracking and analysis.

5. Comprehensive Toolset - AVEVA Edge provides all the necessary tools to create full-featured HMI and SCADA projects, streamlining development processes and reducing time-to-market.

6. Flexible Architectures - From simple HMIs to complex, redundant systems with multiple drivers and remote interactions, AVEVA Edge supports a wide array of architectural configurations.

7. Downtime Reduction - Incorporate dynamic visualizations, repair videos, and help instructions directly into your applications to minimize Mean Time to Repair (MTTR).

8. Multilingual Support - With UNICODE support, operators can interact with the system in their native languages, enhancing usability and reducing errors.

AVEVA Edge HMI and SCADA Applications

AVEVA Edge is a good fit for a wide range of industries and applications due to its flexibility, scalability, and cross-platform compatibility. Here are some key areas where AVEVA Edge excels:

• OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers - AVEVA Edge is perfect for OEMs creating embedded HMI/SCADA systems for industrial machines and devices. With its compact footprint and ability to run on embedded systems like Raspberry Pi or ARM-based devices, AVEVA Edge helps OEMs quickly deploy cost-effective and high-performance operator interfaces.

• Machine Builders - Machine builders use AVEVA Edge to provide interactive HMI/SCADA solutions embedded directly into machinery. It enables real-time monitoring and easy integration with other machines and devices, making it perfect for automated production lines.

• Remote Asset Monitoring and IIoT - AVEVA Edge enables remote monitoring for industries where assets are widely distributed or difficult to access. By integrating with IoT devices and sending data to cloud platforms, it provides operational insights and predictive maintenance capabilities that optimize asset management.

• Industrial Automation and Control Systems - AVEVA Edge is highly suitable for controlling and monitoring industrial processes in manufacturing, energy, oil and gas, and utilities. Its ability to connect with a variety of PLCs, RTUs, and sensors makes it a versatile solution for industrial control systems that need to interface with diverse devices and platforms.

• Smart Buildings and Infrastructure - For building management systems (BMS), AVEVA Edge provides robust monitoring and control of HVAC, lighting, security, and other systems within smart buildings. It integrates seamlessly with protocols like BACnet, Modbus, and others, allowing operators to manage complex building systems from a single interface.

AVEVA Edge Studio

AVEVA Edge Studio serves as an integrated development environment, allowing developers to design applications once and deploy them across various platforms. This unified approach simplifies development and ensures consistency across deployments.

Deployment Options

• AVEVA Edge SCADA: A full Windows-based runtime offering advanced SCADA capabilities.

• AVEVA Edge Embedded HMI: Tailored for embedded systems, this version is ideal for devices with limited resources.

• AVEVA Edge IoT View: Designed for Linux devices, enabling edge computing on compact devices like Raspberry Pi.

Why AVEVA Edge is the Future of portable HMI/SCADA

AVEVA Edge isn’t just another HMI/SCADA platform—it’s a future-ready solution built for the demands of today’s connected industrial environments. With unmatched portability, broad protocol support, and a full-featured development toolkit, it empowers engineers, OEMs, and system integrators to deliver smart, scalable automation solutions with confidence.

Ready to modernize your operations? Explore AVEVA Edge today or contact us to discover how it can transform your next automation project.