From Fragmented to Unified: How JFK Integration Modernized Pipeline Operations with Ignition
A leading midstream energy operator partnered with JFK to bring a newly acquired pipeline facility into alignment with their existing SCADA infrastructure.
The mission: seamlessly integrate the new facilities, unify control logic, and deploy a scalable, future-ready HMI.
The Challenge
The integration involved more than just software; it required streamlining engineering practices, aligning PLC logic, and modernizing visualization tools. Specific challenges included:
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Integrating a newly acquired facility into a centralized SCADA platform.
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Standardizing logic across four separate Allen-Bradley PLC programs.
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Migrating tags from legacy SCADA, where naming conventions and organization varied widely.
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Automating the creation of thousands of tags across disparate sources (PLC logic + Excel exports).
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Delivering complete project documentation and validation through FAT and SAT.
JFK Integration’s Approach
With proven expertise in SCADA integration, PLC architecture, and high-performance HMI design, JFK Integration engineered a robust solution leveraging the power and flexibility of Ignition by Inductive Automation.
Our solution included:
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Deployment of a hub and spoke architecture using Ignition Edge.
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Used MQTT communication to ensure a low bandwidth and reliable connection.
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In-depth analysis of PLC code to identify common AOIs and align control strategies.
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Development of a Python utility to automate tag generation from both PLC logic and separate spreadsheet exports.
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Creation of standardized UDTs following a logical Unified Namespace model.
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Comprehensive documentation including FDS, Deployment Plan, and test plans (FAT/SAT).
The Results
With JFK Integration’s solution in place, the client now enjoys:
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Faster deployment and runtime performance with a decentralized, streamlined architecture.
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Consistent tag structure and UDT reuse for easier maintenance and future scaling.
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A web-based Perspective HMI.
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Automated tag workflows reduced manual errors and engineering time.
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Robust validation through FAT and SAT, ensuring reliability before and after commissioning.
Why It Matters
This project demonstrates how JFK Integration goes beyond integration, we engineer operational transformation. By combining Ignition’s power with our system design expertise, we helped this client move from fragmented control to a unified, intelligent operations model.