Does anyone have opinions about CygNet applications for corporate SCADA systems?
I am interested in strengths and weaknesses of the product line. I have been through some training with the products and would like experienced opinions. Thanks for the info.

 

The software has some nice features but it isn't as solid as say Wonderware or Intellution. They only have a few Corporate user's such as Ocean Energy and Burlington Resources where they made very attractive comercial offers to get market share. The product was developed at PGE and then a couple of the programmers went off and started CygNet and took the code with them. The biggest concern we had when evaluating them was that most of the other companies spend more on R&D than CygNet had in Revenue. Without Revenue, support and future product development isn't a sure thing.

 

My experience with CygNet is that they are a smaller company but stable. I can't comment on the software strengths and weaknesses, but our involvement with them is growing and I have heard nothing but good things.
I am wondering - what is the format of the training course you have taken?

 

Cygnet is the worst SCADA software I have ever experienced. I have had nearly 20 years experience with SCADA programs and some of the 80's ASCII based software was more user friendly and faster communicating than Cygnet. I have programmed Wonderware since version 2.0 and that is by far the best platform available for automation in today's market. Cygnet is a kludge of very antiquated communications protocols, AMACAM et al., and cumbersome programmer interfaces. If you want to spend more time and money developing your system than Cygnet did developing their software then this is the package for you. If you want to be up and running with a minimum amount of "engineering" then you should stick to Wonderware.

 

Michael,

Where does your experience with CygNet originate?

BTW - Amacams is spelled AMOCAMS...

 

I have worked with Cygnet for 3 years. I have implemented it for both large and small companies. For Strengths I would list:

1. It is very easy to replicate copies of all data. End users can pull data from these copies without endangering the production software.

2. Development, test and production copies of the software can all access the same data points from the same RTU's/PLC's without interfering with one another.

3. OPC communication with clients is seamless and very solid.

4. The various services operate like clients. They can be installed on dfferent platforms and still operate as if they were one program.

For Weaknesses I would list:

1. the software is not very intuitive. It can be very difficult to learn. The training CygNet provides is helpful, but incomplete. If you have trained on another SCADA package, you will still have trouble adapting to CygNet.

2.Their Customer support after the sale is inadequate. Software documentation is poor or non-existent and their website has nothing in the downloads section except for older versions of their software. After you purchase the software, you will still need to pay for support. There are dozens of small utility programs and device drivers available that are very useful or even essential, but there is little documentation describing how they are used. Their technicians are the only ones who can provide this information. If you elect to use CygNet plan to pay for customer service for at least a year or two. you may have to pay indefinitely.

3. CygNet has grown so fast that they are having trouble keeping enough trained people working in their offices. even if you pay for customer service, you may have trouble finding someone in customer service who can help you.

My experience is that CygNet is a solid performer once it is installed and configured, but the learning curve for the software is difficult. If you are just getting started with CygNet, get the training. Then try to work with someone who can teach you the ropes. Learning the software OTJ can be done, but it is difficult and time consuming.

 

Reading my earlier post it sounded more negative than I intended. I like CygNet. It is a very good SCADA platform.

CygNet has made some improvements in their customer service. They have an email support URL ([email protected]) that is monitored 24/7. If you email a question you always get an answer back. They are making an effort to provide customer service, but there are limits to what can be done through email. You will still need the paid subscription service to get started with CygNet. Don't complain. Just go with it. You will be glad you did.

 

I have worked with Cygnet for 3 years. I have implemented it for both large and small companies. For Strengths I would list:

1. It is very easy to replicate copies of all data. End users can pull data from these copies without endangering the production software.

2. Development, test and production copies of the software can all access the same data points from the same RTU's/PLC's without interfering with one another.

3. OPC communication with clients is seamless and very solid.

4. The various services operate like clients. They can be installed on dfferent platforms and still operate as if they were one program.

For Weaknesses I would list:

1. the software is not very intuitive. It can be very difficult to learn. The training CygNet provides is helpful, but incomplete. If you have trained on another SCADA package, you will still have trouble adapting to CygNet.

2.Their Customer support after the sale is inadequate. Software documentation is poor or non-existent and their website has nothing in the downloads section except for older versions of their software. After you purchase the software, you will still need to pay for support. There are dozens of small utility programs and device drivers available that are very useful or even essential, but there is little documentation describing how they are used. Their technicians are the only ones who can provide this information. If you elect to use CygNet plan to pay for customer service for at least a year or two. you may have to pay indefinitely.

3. CygNet has grown so fast that they are having trouble keeping enough trained people working in their offices. even if you pay for customer service, you may have trouble finding someone in customer service who can help you.

My experience is that CygNet is a solid performer once it is installed and configured, but the learning curve for the software is difficult. If you are just getting started with CygNet, get the training. Then try to work with someone who can teach you the ropes. Learning the software OTJ can be done, but it is difficult and time consuming.

Hi, I am an Industrial Automation Engineer, and Quite recently i got an opportunity to work with CygNet. Online I cannot find any training of any sort, not there are any community for it. If any of you experts are ok to provide training on weekends I will be happy to take that opportunity. I will pay of it. Please let me know.

 

Hi, I am an Industrial Automation Engineer, and Quite recently i got an opportunity to work with CygNet. Online I cannot find any training of any sort, not there are any community for it. If any of you experts are ok to provide training on weekends I will be happy to take that opportunity. I will pay of it. Please let me know. kindly connect with me...