--- title: Differences between SCADA & HMI description: SCADA systems must be developed to offer supplementary functions such as data processing, mining and priority handling for HMI. image: http://info.premierautomation.com/hubfs/acd%20drives%20vs%20dc%20drives%20%281%29.png --- - a - [eBay Store](http://stores.ebay.com/premierautomationllc) - [PanelShop.com](https://panelshop.com/) - [Careers](http://careers.premierautomation.com/) - [Resources](https://premierautomation.com/resources/) - [Visitors](https://premierautomation.com/resources/visitors/) - b - [What We Do](http://www.premierautomation.com/what-we-do/) - [Solutions](http://www.premierautomation.com/solutions/) - [Robotics](https://www.premierautomation.com/robotics/) - [Who We Help](http://www.premierautomation.com/who-we-help/) - [Our Story](http://www.premierautomation.com/our-story/) - [Contact](https://info.premierautomation.com/contact) ## We’re here to help in any way we can, contact us today. **Phone:** [412.373.3700](tel:4123733700) **Fax:** 412.373.2900 **Email:** [sales@premierautomation.com](mailto:sales@premierautomation.com) [![premierautomation](https://info.premierautomation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/premierautomation-May/logo.jpg?width=480&name=logo.jpg "premierautomation")](http://www.premierautomation.com/) - [PanelShop.com](https://panelshop.com/) - [Careers](http://careers.premierautomation.com/) - [Resources](https://premierautomation.com/resources/) - [Visitors](https://premierautomation.com/resources/visitors/) - [What We Do](https://premierautomation.com/what-we-do/system-integrator-overview/) - [Overview](https://premierautomation.com/what-we-do/system-integrator-overview/) - [Project Methodology](https://premierautomation.com/what-we-do/project-methodology/) - [Systems Integration](https://premierautomation.com/what-we-do/system-integration/) - [Repair Services](https://premierautomation.com/what-we-do/repair-services/) - [Field Services & Commissioning](https://premierautomation.com/what-we-do/field-services-commissioning/) - [Solutions](https://premierautomation.com/solutions/overview/) - [Overview](https://premierautomation.com/solutions/overview/) - [Core Solutions](https://premierautomation.com/solutions/core-solutions/) - [Drive Solutions](https://premierautomation.com/solutions/drive-solutions/) - [Power & Distribution](https://premierautomation.com/solutions/power-distribution/) - [Products](https://premierautomation.com/solutions/products/) - [Robotics](https://premierautomation.com/robotics/overview/) - [Resources](https://premierautomation.com/resources/) - [Case Studies](https://premierautomation.com/who-we-help/projects/) - [Literature](https://info.premierautomation.com/literature) - [Blog](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog) - [Visiting Premier Automation](https://premierautomation.com/resources/visitors/) - [Supplier Code of Conduct](https://premierautomation.com/resources/supplier-code-of-conduct/) - [About](https://premierautomation.com/our-story/our-history/) - [Our Mission](https://premierautomation.com/our-story/our-mission/) - [Our Culture](https://premierautomation.com/our-story/our-culture/) - [Our History](https://premierautomation.com/our-story/our-history/) - [Contact](https://info.premierautomation.com/contact) ![tempBanner.jpg](https://info.premierautomation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/premierautomation-May/tempBanner.jpg?width=1470&name=tempBanner.jpg "tempBanner.jpg") ![blog2.jpg](https://info.premierautomation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/premierautomation-May/blog2.jpg?width=1584&name=blog2.jpg "blog2.jpg") # Innovative Thinking # Differences between SCADA & HMI Posted on [December 28, 2018](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/differences-between-scada-and-hmi) by [Premier Automation](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/author/premier-automation) ![acd drives vs dc drives (1).png](https://info.premierautomation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/acd%20drives%20vs%20dc%20drives%20(1).png?width=244&name=acd%20drives%20vs%20dc%20drives%20(1).png)Many beginner automation enthusiasts often fail to establish appreciable differences between **[Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/hmi-historian-integration)** and **[Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/5-steps-to-effective-hmi-programming)**. They often confuse both these entities as being similar and working for the same end-result. While the latter may be true, as in the end achieving automation is the desired result, the two terms are quite different and have limited overlap. SCADA is an integrated system which is purposefully built to control & monitor the workings of various assets of an industrial plant. For instance, the monitoring & control of pumps, fans or other machinery is often performed through SCADA system. Such systems make use of **[Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/safety-beyond-the-motor-control-center)** to carry out a wide array of functions such as polling, relay operations, communication, etc. The data from PLC is sent off to a control room from where final decisions are made. In comparison, HMI can be considered as a subset of a SCADA system. Human Machine Interfaces simply provide an effective way to communicate with the hardware. These are situated inside the control room or various points throughout the industry, channeling useful information to the operator. An HMI usually has a graphical user interface and sends instructions to peripherals through the PLC. For a system to qualify as a complete Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition, it must contain elements of both data acquisition and control. With that being said, it must be understood that while all HMIs can change the status of PLC registers, not all **[HMIs offer control capabilities within themselves](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/hmi-remote-monitoring)**. If manipulation of the data stored within a PLC is required, then an external archiving program would have to be run (Excel, Access, SQL), which would be a part of a SCADA system. Normally, industries tend to use HMIs if the operation is simple and doesn’t require complex processing. However, most industries today often rely heavily on data processing and therefore implement SCADA solutions. The presence of terms such as alarm logging, production management and data historian imply that a SCADA system is in the works. Process control industries offer great examples of SCADA systems due to the complexity of operations. With [**the progression in automation technologies**](https://www.automation.com/automation-news/article/the-next-generation-of-hmi-and-scada), the need for full-blown SCADA systems is becoming imperative. HMIs alone can’t be put in charge of controlling complex processes, and therefore SCADA systems must be developed to offer supplementary functions such as data processing, mining and priority handling. If you’re seeking a partner for your next automation or controls project, **contact one of our experienced engineers to schedule a free on-site visit:** [![Speak to an Expert](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/548870/329d4810-3fb2-45d1-8244-17235e0df83f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/548870/329d4810-3fb2-45d1-8244-17235e0df83f) [![Premier Automation Literature.png](https://info.premierautomation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Premier%20Automation%20Literature.png?width=466&name=Premier%20Automation%20Literature.png)](https://info.premierautomation.com/literature) Share on: - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### Categories - [Automation (77)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/automation) - [Industry Trends (56)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/industry-trends) - [Robotics (42)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/robotics) - [Safety (24)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/safety) - [Drives (18)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/drives) - [Motors (18)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/motors) - [Iot (15)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/iot) - [Lean Manufacturing (15)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/lean-manufacturing) - [industry 4.0 (15)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/industry-4-0) - [Automation Applications (14)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/automation-applications) - [PLC (14)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/plc) - [automation solutions (14)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/automation-solutions) - [automationengineer (13)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/automationengineer) - [System Integration (11)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/system-integration) - [HMIs (10)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/hmis) - [Company News (8)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/company-news) - [Motor Control Centers (8)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/motor-control-centers) - [Internet of Things (7)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/internet-of-things) - [Smart Manufacturing (7)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/smart-manufacturing) - [productivity (7)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/productivity) - [VFDs (6)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/vfds) - [Variable Frequency Drives (6)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/variable-frequency-drives) - [Industrial Revolution (5)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/industrial-revolution) - [OEE (5)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/oee) - [efficiency (5)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/efficiency) - [factory safety (5)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/factory-safety) - [electricity (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/electricity) - [Power Distribution (3)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/power-distribution) - [safety in the workplace (3)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/safety-in-the-workplace) - [system integrator (3)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/system-integrator) - [Output Load Reactors (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/output-load-reactors) - [Siemens (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/siemens) - [Uncategorized (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/uncategorized) - [3D Printing (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/3d-printing) - [AI (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/ai) - [Insider (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/insider) - [Safety Cable (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/safety-cable) - [Safety Enabling Device (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/safety-enabling-device) - [Service (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/service) - [Stop Buttons (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/stop-buttons) - [Stop Controllers (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/stop-controllers) - [cables (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/cables) - [electricalengineer (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/electricalengineer) - [ethernet (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/ethernet) - [gateways (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/gateways) - [material removal (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/material-removal) - [metals (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/metals) - [profibus (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/profibus) - [profinet (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/profinet) - [profitability (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/profitability) - [terminalblock (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/terminalblock) - [welding (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/topic/welding) see all ### Archives - [December 2018 (16)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/12) - [January 2019 (12)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2019/01) - [March 2019 (6)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2019/03) - [June 2016 (5)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2016/06) - [August 2017 (5)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2017/08) - [June 2018 (5)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/06) - [October 2018 (5)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/10) - [February 2019 (5)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2019/02) - [May 2019 (5)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2019/05) - [December 2015 (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2015/12) - [July 2017 (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2017/07) - [January 2018 (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/01) - [March 2018 (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/03) - [May 2018 (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/05) - [July 2018 (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/07) - [November 2018 (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/11) - [April 2019 (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2019/04) - [March 2020 (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2020/03) - [February 2021 (4)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2021/02) - [May 2016 (3)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2016/05) - [June 2017 (3)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2017/06) - [October 2017 (3)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2017/10) - [November 2017 (3)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2017/11) - [January 2021 (3)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2021/01) - [November 2025 (3)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2025/11) - [January 2026 (3)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2026/01) - [February 2016 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2016/02) - [March 2016 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2016/03) - [April 2016 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2016/04) - [April 2017 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2017/04) - [May 2017 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2017/05) - [December 2017 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2017/12) - [February 2018 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/02) - [April 2018 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/04) - [July 2019 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2019/07) - [August 2019 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2019/08) - [October 2019 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2019/10) - [December 2019 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2019/12) - [October 2020 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2020/10) - [March 2021 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2021/03) - [April 2022 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2022/04) - [May 2024 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2024/05) - [April 2026 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2026/04) - [May 2026 (2)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2026/05) - [October 2015 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2015/10) - [January 2016 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2016/01) - [July 2016 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2016/07) - [September 2017 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2017/09) - [August 2018 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/08) - [September 2018 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2018/09) - [September 2019 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2019/09) - [April 2020 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2020/04) - [May 2020 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2020/05) - [June 2020 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2020/06) - [November 2020 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2020/11) - [December 2020 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2020/12) - [April 2021 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2021/04) - [June 2021 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2021/06) - [August 2021 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2021/08) - [September 2021 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2021/09) - [November 2021 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2021/11) - [January 2022 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2022/01) - [June 2022 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2022/06) - [August 2022 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2022/08) - [May 2023 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2023/05) - [September 2023 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2023/09) - [October 2024 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2024/10) - [December 2024 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2024/12) - [June 2025 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2025/06) - [August 2025 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2025/08) - [September 2025 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2025/09) - [December 2025 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2025/12) - [February 2026 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2026/02) - [June 2026 (1)](https://info.premierautomation.com/blog/archive/2026/06) see all Search Blog Search Premier Automation 1100 Rico Road Monroeville, PA 15146 **P** [412.373.3700](tel:1-412.373.3700) **F** 412.373.2900 **E** [sales@premierautomation.com](mailto:sales@premierautomation.com) - [What We Do](http://www.premierautomation.com/what-we-do/) - [Solutions](http://www.premierautomation.com/solutions/) - [Robotics](https://www.premierautomation.com/robotics/) - [Who We Help](http://www.premierautomation.com/who-we-help/) - [Our Story](http://www.premierautomation.com/our-story/) - [Contact](https://info.premierautomation.com/contact) Copyright © 2020 Premier Automation | Innovative Automation Solutions | Pittsburgh. All rights reserved.