Keywords: Human Machine Interface, HMI, Software, Services, SCADA, Operating System, Mobility, Multi-Touch Touch Screens, Windows 10, Server 2012, Wireless, BYOD
The global Human Machine Interface (HMI) software and services market will continue to grow in the future because the importance of HMI software becomes even more significant as industrial operations worldwide become more complex and automated. While the HMI software market experienced good growth in 2014, future growth will be modest during the five-year forecast period, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study.
While the global economy may not expand as quickly as in the recent past, new software products offer much greater value in improving functionalities, reducing energy consumption, expanding operational visibility, and providing information for better decision making and process improvement. “The HMI software market will go through many dynamics during the next few years due to trends such as emerging technologies of multi-touch touch screens, connecting to more mobile devices, shifting to Windows 10 and Server 2012 operating systems, and demand for better communication and control. This vibrant environment will continue to push market growth,” according to Senior Analyst Himanshu Shah, the principal author of ARC’s “Human Machine Interface (HMI) Software and Services Global Market Research Study”.
Wireless, Mobility, and BYOD
Wireless mobile devices, such as tablets, smartphones and other portable devices, can improve productivity and yield, and reduce total cost of ownership. An increasing number of users require on-demand access to plant data and remote access because employees in manufacturing work with complex, expensive equipment. Today employees handle multiple responsibilities, deal with more regulations, and need the ability to troubleshoot plant equipment or production status, from the office, home, or on the road. Access is often from their own devices allowed by their employers who support bring your own device (BYOD) programs. However, remote access also presents a significant potential weakness without adequate security of that data. So an effective mobility solution must be deployed only with robust security. The study also discusses how the mobility trend is impacting HMI software suppliers and market.
Regional Trends
Even though the large geographic markets are closely interconnected today, each region has its peculiar dynamic and is driven by different factors. It is interesting to note that while the mature markets look at improving their operational efficiencies by constantly pushing for the HMI software to be more informative to the operators, the emerging markets are pressing more on the technology front with popularity of Web-based and mobile-based HMI systems.
In addition to the quantitative assessment of the HMI software and services market, this ARC study provides an insightful analysis of the products and strategies of the leading and emerging HMI software suppliers and explores issues that will impact these businesses well into the future.
For more information on this study, please visit our Market Research section.