Users in the market for the best SCADA software may come up against a difficult decision when deciding who to buy from. This is a valid concern, as SCADA products and HMI products may vary in price and value depending on whether you purchase them from SCADA companies or SCADA vendors.
So what’s the Difference Between SCADA Companies and SCADA Vendors?
In many cases, the SCADA company is the one who designed the SCADA software. They release it, develop it, and set pricing and license restrictions. SCADA companies often supply direct support for those using their SCADA products.
Local SCADA vendors are dealers who purchase the SCADA products and HMI products from the company selling it, and then re-sell the software to users.
Who Offers the Best SCADA Software Value?
The best value on SCADA software will be determined by your situation when you buy. SCADA companies offer an advantage in terms of more knowledgeable tech support, they provide the latest software and drivers, and may even offer third party SCADA integration. However, the company may only be located in a few offices, and on-site SCADA training and SCADA integration or support may be more costly than local support and training.
SCADA vendors offer a personal and local approach to support, SCADA integration, and SCADA training. Local vendors can often visit a site to assist, or handle local assistance over phone. In addition, SCADA vendors offer much more than SCADA products and HMI products. A vendor may also be able to supply PLCs or other hardware that has been tested, and proven to work with the SCADA software they sell. In addition, local vendors of SCADA software will have a strong knowledge of local projects, and should be aware of local ordinances and regulations.
Pricing may also be cheaper with a local vendor than with a SCADA company. Most software is released with a certain list price, and then offered to vendors for a wholesale discount. Depending on the margins the vendor maintains, the SCADA product may end up being cheaper from a vendor.
Just make sure that when buying from local retailers you are able to take advantages of these benefits. If your local vendor doesn’t offer adequate support or bring regional experience to the table, the best value will be in ordering from a SCADA company directly. If you know you will need advanced technical support, you will probably be better off dealing directly with the company that created the software. Applications with heavy customization may find this to be very important.
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