Learn more about Ignition with a free initial consultation, an online demo, our blog, or by downloading and trying Ignition for free!
Always on the Cutting Edge: Ignition 8.3 and New Features
Ignition is constantly evolving to meet the needs of modern industry. The current version, Ignition 8.1 (Long-Term Support), is already well established, and the new version, Ignition 8.3, offers numerous new features. These include, among others:
New Interface & User Experience: The Ignition Gateway (the management interface) features a completely redesigned UI for even easier configuration and monitoring.
Drawing Tool: Designing dashboards, HMIs, and mobile-friendly visualizations with custom graphics is a breeze thanks to the top-of-the-line vector illustration suite in Ignition 8.3. These new native drawing tools offer new ways to create and edit vector graphics—right within Ignition Designer.
Event Streams: A new module for processing event streams makes it possible to process data from various sources (e.g., Kafka) in real time and flexibly route it using scripts.
Power Historian: The integrated time-series-based historian database enables even more efficient storage and querying of large time-series datasets. This makes Ignition an attractive option for big data applications in production environments as well.
Secrets Management: Ignition 8.3 introduces a revolutionary secrets management feature that enables the secure management of sensitive data such as passwords, API keys, and certificates. It also offers integration capabilities with third-party secrets management platforms such as HashiCorp Vault.
DevOps & Source Control: With Ignition 8.3, the entire system configuration will be file-based. This makes it possible to version the entire Ignition configuration using version control tools such as Git and to automatically deploy it to different environments. Features such as deployment modes (separate settings for development, test, and production environments) and an extended API simplify CI/CD pipelines in automation technology.
Benefits of Ignition at a Glance
Ignition is no ordinary SCADA system—it’s a masterpiece of modern technology that redefines the limits of what’s possible! With features celebrated as state-of-the-art in the IT world, Ignition doesn’t just stand out—it leaves the competition in the dust with a lead that’s nothing short of breathtaking. These features are absolutely unique in the world of SCADA systems and make Ignition the undisputed number one choice for companies ready to embrace the future of automation!
Modular Architecture & Scalability: Ignition features a modular, scalable architecture that grows with your needs. Start small and scale your system up to the enterprise level—from individual machine HMIs to a global SCADA system. Thanks to Ignition Edge, even distributed, low-cost edge installations can be integrated.
Open Standards & Integration Capabilities: The platform consistently relies on open industry standards such as OPC UA, MQTT, and SQL. The built-in Ignition OPC UA server and various protocol drivers enable easy connection of PLCs from a wide range of manufacturers (Siemens, Rockwell, and many more). At the same time, Ignition seamlessly connects your production data with ERP and MES systems —a true integration of PLC and ERP systems for end-to-end OT/IT integration.
Platform-Independent & Web-Based: Ignition runs equally well on Windows, Linux, or macOS and can be operated as a pure web application. The web-based architecture allows projects to be developed centrally and rolled out directly over the network to any number of clients (Instant Web Deployment). Even mobile devices, tablets, or panel PCs can serve as clients via a browser or the native Ignition Perspective Workstation.
Modern UI & User Interface Concepts: The Ignition Perspective module allows you to create modern, responsive user interfaces—from classic HMI screens to interactive dashboards for control rooms—that run in a browser or as an app. For stationary HMIs and control stations, Ignition HMI (Vision Module) and Perspective Workstation offer a powerful solution with multi-monitor support.
Modern Deployment Options & DevOps Integration: Ignition supports container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, enabling flexible and scalable deployment. Furthermore, Ignition can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines, which accelerates and automates the development, testing, and deployment of applications. This isn’t just cutting-edge—it’s a paradigm shift that makes Ignition the undisputed pioneer!
Unlimited Licensing & Cost Control: Unlike traditional SCADA systems, Ignition uses an unlimited licensing model. This means unlimited tags, clients, screens, and connections for a flat fee per server installation. As a result, Ignition’s pricing is transparent and predictable—you can scale your solution without worrying about rising licensing costs.
Support from MPI: As an official Ignition distributor, MPI Technologies offers licenses, support, and training. Our experienced team will assist you with the implementation, customization, and maintenance of your Ignition solution—in German and English. This ensures you get the most out of your investment, with a local point of contact and expert guidance.
Powerful Features and Modules
Ignition stands out with a wide range of features that cater equally to both traditional SCADA systems and modern IT requirements:
Universal Platform: Ignition serves as a SCADA, HMI, MES, and IIoT platform all in one. Ignition’s IIoT capabilities enable centralized management of both plant control (SCADA/HMI) and data acquisition, storage, and analysis. Thanks to its modular expandability (numerous additional Ignition modules), the software flexibly adapts to individual requirements.
Data Connectivity & OPC UA: With its integrated OPC UA interface(client and server), Ignition connects easily to controllers and devices. Modules are also available for exchanging data in an IIoT context, for example via MQTT. The use of OPC UA as a SCADA standard ensures high connectivity and future-proofing.
SQL Database Integration: Ignition integrates seamlessly with SQL databases. Process data, measured values, and events can be stored and retrieved in common database systems (e.g., MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, etc.). The additional historian function enables simple and efficient storage of data over many years.
Alarms and Visualization: Comprehensive alarm management functions allow you to immediately detect limit violations and malfunctions. Alarms can be sent via email, SMS, or messaging services (e.g., Twilio). Visualization is provided through customizable interfaces in Ignition Perspective or Vision—whether as a traditional process view or a modern KPI dashboard for your management team.
Scripting & API: Thanks to embedded Python scripting, the platform offers virtually unlimited possibilities for custom logic and data processing. Using the Ignition WebDev module, you can createREST APIs for industrial applications or connect to external web services. This allows Ignition to integrate seamlessly with cloud platforms and third-party applications (SCADA cloud connections).
Security and Rights Management: Ignition features a granular security model. User and role management, access rights down to the object level, and encrypted communication are all integrated. A wide range of external identity providers (e.g., Active Directory) are also supported, allowing Ignition to integrate seamlessly into your existing infrastructure. As a result, the solution meets current IT security requirements without compromising ease of use.
Container Deployment: Ignition can be deployed in Docker containers, which enhances the application’s portability and scalability. This enables companies to run Ignition in a wide variety of environments, from on-premises servers to cloud platforms.
Ignition vs. Traditional SCADA Systems
Ignition isn’t just one step ahead—it’s a whole galaxy ahead of the competition! These state-of-the-art features—container technologies, Kubernetes, CI/CD—are standard in the IT world, but what about the SCADA world? Ignition is considered next-generation SCADA and differs significantly from many traditional SCADA systems on the market (e.g., Siemens SCADA with WinCC/WinCC Unified, Beckhoff SCADA, zenon, atvise SCADA, Progea Movicon, or PSI SCADA). Here are some key differences:
Licensing Model: While traditional SCADA vendors often license their software based on the number of variables/tags or clients, Ignition offers unlimited SCADA licensing —there are no such limitations, and no additional development license is required. This eliminates restrictions on project size, and costs do not scale with the complexity of the system.
Openness & Connectivity: Ignition relies on open interfaces (OPC UA, MQTT, REST API, SQL) rather than proprietary protocols. This allows it to be used across different manufacturers and makes it easier to integrate with third-party systems. For example, Ignition can communicate simultaneously with Siemens S7, Rockwell, and other controllers without any gateway-specific limitations.
Platform & Usability: Many established SCADA solutions are tied to Windows PCs or specific panel hardware. Ignition, on the other hand, runs on all common systems and, thanks to web technology, enables access from anywhere. In addition, Ignition combines multiple functionalities (HMI, reporting, historian, MES modules) into a single, unified development environment, whereas otherwise separate tools from different vendors are often required.
Future-proof: Ignition is continuously being developed (currently available in Version 1 LTS; Ignition 8.3 introduces additional innovative features). Thanks to close support from the community and partners, cutting-edge technologies are integrated quickly—such as HTML5 visualization, which was adopted long before traditional systems followed suit. This means users always benefit from innovations without having to wait for the next major release of a legacy system.
The bottom line is that Ignition offers a more open, flexible, and cost-effective alternative to traditional SCADA and HMI solutions from well-known manufacturers.
Typical Applications
Ignition stands out with a wide range of features that cater equally to both traditional SCADA systems and modern IT requirements:
Thanks to its flexibility, Ignition is used in numerous industries and applications. Examples of its applications include:
Production & Manufacturing: Real-time monitoring of production facilities, HMI control panels on machines, OEE data collection, and Andon boards in factories.
Energy & Utilities: Control room systems for power plants, grid control technology, and monitoring of solar farms or wind farms with data integration into MES or ERP systems for planning purposes.
Infrastructure & Building Systems: SCADA solutions for water and wastewater treatment facilities, traffic control, and smart building management with IoT sensor integration.
Food & Pharmaceuticals: Batch tracking, quality data logging (audit trail), and integration of SCADA, ERP, and MES for end-to-end production control in accordance with GMP guidelines.
Thanks to its platform-independent architecture, Ignition can run on industrial embedded PCs directly on the production line, as well as in the cloud or in a data center. This versatility makes it the ideal platform for Industry 4.0 projects, where traditional SCADA systems reach their limits.
MPI Technologies AG is an authorized distributor of Inductive Automation products and services.
