Choosing a SCADA/HMI platform is a long-term decision — it shapes how your team monitors the plant for the next decade. Two of the most common choices are Inductive Automation’s Ignition and Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk View. Both are capable; they simply take different approaches.
Licensing model
Ignition licenses by server, with unlimited clients, tags, and connections — attractive when you expect many screens or want web-based access without per-seat costs. FactoryTalk View licenses by application scope (Site Edition vs. Machine Edition) and client, which can be very cost-effective for tightly scoped, Rockwell-centric machines.
Architecture and ecosystem
FactoryTalk View is deeply integrated with the Rockwell/Allen-Bradley stack — Studio 5000, ControlLogix, and FactoryTalk services — so if your plant is already all-Rockwell, it is a natural fit. Ignition is platform-agnostic and web-native: it runs on Windows or Linux, connects to virtually any PLC via OPC-UA, and serves modern browser and mobile clients out of the box.
When each shines
- All-Rockwell line or machine, tightly scoped → FactoryTalk View (SE or ME).
- Mixed-vendor plant, many clients, web/mobile access, or MQTT/IIoT → Ignition.
- Municipal water/wastewater with remote sites and telemetry → Ignition is often a strong fit, though FactoryTalk View SE is also common.
The platform matters less than the integrator
A well-architected system on either platform beats a poorly built one on the "perfect" platform. Tag structure, alarm design, security, and redundancy planning determine how well the system serves operators day to day.
How Radiant helps
Radiant Control Systems is platform-agnostic — we design and integrate SCADA/HMI on Ignition, FactoryTalk View, Wonderware/InTouch, GE iFIX, VTScada, and more, and will recommend the right fit for your process rather than the one we happen to sell. We serve clients across Georgia and the Southeast.