Extending FreeSCADA with Plugins and Custom Scripts

Top 10 Features of FreeSCADA for Industrial Automation

1. Modbus support — Native drivers for Modbus RTU/TCP to connect PLCs, RTUs, and meters.
2. OPC connectivity — OPC Classic (and in some forks OPC UA via wrappers) for integration with other automation systems.
3. Lightweight .NET-based server — Small-footprint Windows/.NET server suitable for edge or lab deployments.
4. Graphical HMI editor — Visual page designer for building 2D operator screens with animated symbols and controls.
5. Real-time data logging — Time-series logging of tag values to local databases for trends and historical review.
6. Alarm and event handling — Basic alarm definitions, event logging, and operator acknowledgements.
7. Scripting and customization — Scriptable logic (e.g., C#/VB.NET) or plugin hooks for custom calculations and automation.
8. Tag management and scaling — Organized tag database with grouping and scalable polling settings for dozens to thousands of tags.
9. Remoting / thin-client access — Remote HMI viewing or thin-client options (web/remote desktop integrations) for off-site monitoring.
10. Open-source licensing & community extensions — GPL/open-source codebase enabling auditing, modification, and community-contributed drivers/plugins.

If you want, I can expand any item with configuration tips, sample Modbus/OPC setup steps, or recommended backup/secure‑hardening practices.