Why does the choice of SCADA matter?
The SCADA system is the supervision and control core of any industrial plant. A poor choice can mean years tied to a vendor with expensive licenses, technical limitations or incompatibilities with other systems. Today the three most widely deployed platforms in Latin America are Ignition (Inductive Automation), iFix (GE Digital / Proficy) and Cimplicity (GE Digital).
At Grupo Salba we have implemented all three in real projects. This comparison is technical and free of commercial bias.
Licensing model
| Aspect | Ignition | iFix | Cimplicity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base model | Per server + modules | Per client / tags | Per point (tags) |
| Web clients | Unlimited, included | Additional license | Additional license |
| Redundancy | Included | Extra cost | Extra cost |
| Free trial | 2 hours, resettable without limit | Limited | Limited |
Technical architecture
Ignition (Inductive Automation)
Ignition is a Java/web-based platform that runs on a central server. Clients connect through a browser (Perspective) or a native client (Vision). Its modular architecture lets you add features such as Historian, Alarming, MES or Reporting while paying only for the modules you need. It supports cloud, on-premise and hybrid deployment.
iFix (GE Digital)
iFix is a mature platform with more than 30 years on the market. It has a traditional client-server architecture, with strengths in integration with the GE/Proficy ecosystem. It is widely used in energy, water/wastewater and heavy manufacturing. Its weak points are the licensing model and the pace of technology upgrades.
Cimplicity (GE Digital)
Cimplicity belongs to the same family as iFix but takes a different approach: it is more oriented toward process control and large-scale plant SCADA systems. It is strong in power generation and petrochemicals. It is less flexible when integrating with modern technologies such as REST APIs or open databases.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Ignition | iFix | Cimplicity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Historian | Yes (module) | Yes (Proficy Historian) | Partial |
| Mobile clients | Native | With add-on | Limited |
| Native OPC UA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| REST APIs | Yes | Not native | Not native |
| Scripting | Python (Jython) | VBA / proprietary scripts | Basic Script |
| Cloud / hybrid | Yes | Limited | Limited |
When should you use each one?
Choose Ignition if…
- You need many concurrent web clients at no additional cost
- You want a modern stack with REST APIs and Python scripting
- The project may grow in tags or users in the future
- You value frequent updates and an active technical community
Choose iFix if…
- You already have GE/Proficy infrastructure installed and need consistency
- The project is in the energy or water industry with well-established processes
- You have technical staff with specific experience on the platform
Choose Cimplicity if…
- The project is large-scale power generation or petrochemicals
- Integration with GE turbines or other GE assets is critical
- Certification and compliance requirements are very strict
Need to choose the right SCADA for your project?
Our engineers have certified experience on all three platforms. We help you make the right decision without commercial bias.
Talk to a specialist →