Web-based vs desktop SCADA: the real trade-offs.
Both models are legitimate engineering choices. This is a vendor-neutral comparison of the trade-offs — SCAIQ™'s specific implementation of the web model follows below.
| Factor | Desktop SCADA | Web-based SCADA |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Install per workstation; license per seat | Access via URL; no install |
| Upgrades | Reinstall/patch every client | Update once, server-side |
| Offline behavior | Can operate fully offline once installed | Requires network access to platform services |
| Security surface | Many patched endpoints to secure | Centralized surface, browser sandboxing |
| Remote access | Needs VPN/remote desktop workarounds | Native — same experience over the network |
| Best fit | Fully air-gapped single-station environments, vendor-locked ecosystems | Multi-user, multi-site, remote-access-heavy operations |
How SCAIQ™ implements the web model
SCAIQ HMI renders live, SVG-based operator screens entirely in the browser — sub-second updates, faceplates, overlays, and kiosk mode — with no desktop client anywhere in the architecture.
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