Industrial control systems
Industrial control systems (ICS) are a general term for various types of control systems and associated instrumentation, including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed control systems (DCS), and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), commonly used in industrial…
Key facts
- First appeared
- 1968
- Category
- technology
- Problem solved
- Industrial control systems were created to replace complex, inflexible, and maintenance-intensive hardwired relay logic and manual control processes in industrial environments. They addressed the need for more adaptable, reliable, and efficient automation of continuous and batch processes, allowing for easier reconfiguration, real-time data acquisition, and remote monitoring across diverse industrial applications.
- Platforms
- SCADA servers and workstations, Cloud-based platforms (for IIoT/analytics), Dedicated industrial hardware (PLCs, RTUs, DCS controllers), Embedded systems, Industrial PCs (IPCs)
Related technologies
- Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
- Historians (Data)
- Cloud Computing Platforms
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms
- Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs)
- Cybersecurity solutions
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
- Sensors and Actuators
- Industrial Networks (e.g., Modbus, Profibus, Industrial Ethernet)
Notable users
- Pulp & Paper
- Transportation (Rail, Aviation)
- Infrastructure Management (Smart Cities)
- Mining
- Chemical Processing
- Oil & Gas
- Utilities (Electricity, Water, Wastewater)
- Manufacturing (Automotive, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical)