一个成功的SCADA系统应该由以下概念驱动:通过更长的系统寿命降低拥有成本；通过易于扩展的模块化硬件延长使用寿命；通过网络冗余实现可靠性；多级安全体系；通过广泛的警报和事件报告能力预警问题；向操作员快速、动态、交互式地展示数据；多任务操作系统软件；结合实时和历史趋势；分布式数据库和计算机处理；易于配置数据库、显示器和报告；致力于行业的长期供应商；全方位的支持服务。基于这些概念，解决公用事业公司的需求和客户需求的最佳方法是在多个网络中使用通过局域网运行的微型计算机- 在分布式网络中传输动态交互数据的任务、多用户、实时操作系统。本文着眼于这样一个系统的每一个要素及其实现这些预期目标的重要功能需求。

A successful SCADA system should be driven by the following concepts: low cost of ownership through longer system life; longer life through modular hardware that is easily expanded; reliability through networked redundancy; multi-level security system; early warning problems through extensive alarming and events reporting capabilities; fast, dynamic, interactive data presentation to the operator; multi- tasking operating system software; combined real-time and historical trending; distributed database and computer processing; ease of configuration for database, displays, and reports; long term supplier committed to the industry; full line of supporting services. Based on these concepts, the best approach to address the utility's requirements and the customer's needs, is the use of microcomputers operating over a local area network in a multi-tasking, multi-user, real-time operating system transporting dynamic interactive data in a distributed network. This paper looks at each of the elements of such a system with their important functional requirements to achieve these desired goals.