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Table of Contents
Presentation of SCADA Software: Asix Example
Asix is a platform for HMI/SCADA/MES systems developed by ASKOM since 1994. It is designed for creating and implementing industrial IT systems for enterprises, processes, production lines, machines, and devices.
The primary use of Asix is SCADA applications – for operator stations to directly supervise and control processes. It enables data acquisition from programmable controllers, meters, and other measurement devices. Commands such as starting and stopping drives are sent to controllers, analog and binary data trends are recorded, and an alarm log is maintained. Using Asix, HMI-class applications for operator panels can also be created. The platform supports online production tracking, calculating performance and quality indicators, data analysis, and reporting to ERP systems.
Key Features of the Asix Platform
The Asix platform offers a wide range of features, making it ideal for various industries. Key features include:
- Visualization,
- Redundancy of data collection channels,
- Recipe management and event archiving,
- Production monitoring and tracking,
- Control,
- Reporting and graphical data presentation,
- Web visualization,
- Application validation, control registration, and permissions management,
- Efficient data archiving,
- Alarm management,
- Multi-language support,
- Remote notifications.
One Application – Different Permissions
The Asix platform allows using a single SCADA application, but the available information and possible actions depend on the user's location and access rights.
The application's wide range of tools and functions, combined with a precise permission control system, allows for:
- Customizing the range of functions available to users based on their needs and competencies.
- Flexibly modifying the scope of functions and privileges, which can overlap and complement each other.
Extensive Reference List
The Asix platform is a robust solution for various industries, from standard supervision and control applications to advanced monitoring systems. This is confirmed by over 16,000 licenses sold, used in the following sectors:
- Energy and heating,
- Food industry (dairy, meat, confectionery),
- Chemical and machinery industries,
- Coke production,
- Municipal infrastructure,
- Smart buildings,
- Telemetry systems,
- Automotive industry,
- Metallurgy.
System Description
Analog Measurements and Binary Signals
Current measurement values can be displayed numerically or using graphical objects representing analog readings. Measurement panels, which are small windows providing concise information about the current measurement state, technological limits (modifiable), and a trend graph, are commonly used in applications. Binary signals are used to reflect the status of devices and control them, such as information on drives, activation states, electrical readiness, and limit switch breaches.
Data Archiving
Data archiving is performed by the Aspad historian module, which efficiently collects analog and binary data trends. The capacity of the online archive available on the operator's or dispatcher’s computer is limited only by the disk size, allowing for years of historical data storage. In version 9, the historian was enhanced to process and record current data with a precision of 100 nanoseconds.
Data can be archived in the internal Aspad module format, ensuring real-time data compression and redundancy removal, or in an MS SQL database. Data is saved in UTC, providing consistent timestamps regardless of daylight saving changes or different time zones.
Archived data is made available as raw data or aggregates for other Asix platform modules and third-party software.
Data Trends
The AsTrend program is a tool for in-depth analysis of historical data. It displays, reviews, and prints time trends of selected variables, creating “graphical reports” of system performance. AsTrend can operate as part of the visualization system or as a standalone program, even in a web browser, with local or remote access to the data archive.
AsLogger – Fast Series Data Recorder
Standard Asix licenses allow continuous data archiving with a resolution of up to 100ms. For higher frequency data collection, the AsLogger module is available, which records short-term data series in an SQL database. Fast series mode is supported by selected electrical protection drivers.
Graphical Data Presentation
Data from the Aspad module is used to create measurement charts directly on process diagrams. Operators can adjust the charts by changing the visible time horizon, scrolling through history, zooming in, or reading specific past values.
Reports
Modern SCADA systems are expected to provide advanced reports for management, synthesizing data from multiple applications and enriching it with statistical analysis. Asix meets these requirements by offering:
- Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services,
- MS Excel,
- AsTrend,
- Script-based reporting systems.
Access Control System
User authentication and access control in Asix are based on user roles, defining detailed permissions. Actions are only executed if the user has appropriate permissions.
AsAlert – Remote Event Notification Module
AsAlert ensures reliable and fast notification of abnormal system states or failures via:
- Standard email through SMTP,
- SMS messages via GSM networks.
Mobile Monitoring and Control
The Asix Mobile module extends the platform’s tools to mobile devices, enabling visualization and control interfaces tailored for small screens and touch operations.
Interactive Application Design Environment
The Evo technology design environment provides a user-friendly interface for configuring visualization systems and applications.
Web Publishing
Asix applications can be published on local networks or the Internet, accessible through web browsers without functionality limitations.
System Redundancy and Multi-Station Applications
Asix supports “hot redundancy” configurations, ensuring system stability and minimizing the impact of hardware failures.
Sources:
- Asix.Evo training materials – SCADA ready for new challenges.




