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The benefits of running SCADA middleware on a Java 2 Enteprise Edition (J2EE) Application Server rather than on an intermediate platform such as a Windows PC running an OPC server include:
Not only does the application server provide an efficient platform for integrating with centralized IT resources, but it also can serve traditional plant floor operator screens from a centralized standards-based secure platform. 
Linking into the Authentication and Authorization services available on the J2EE platform allow actions triggered by an operator to be individually authenticated and authorized. This is a requirement for food and pharmaceutical companies covered by FDA regulation 21 CFR Part 11. Many of the benefits of this architecture do not come from the middleware software itself as much as they come from the other robust services on the J2EE platform
Starthis has helped advise many manufacturing companies regarding the design of the plant floor data networks. Many of these companies are in the process of migrating their SCADA infrastructure to the J2EE platform for one or more of the four benefits: Reliability, Security, Scalability, or Maintainability. We have seen examples where each one of these was the primary motivating goal.
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