Gain valuable insights on how CSE ICON delivered a game-changing solution using Inductive Automation’s Ignition software to establish a more secure, scalable gateway architecture and enhance operational awareness at every level—and across every endpoint.
Project Overview
Goodnight Midstream, a leader in water infrastructure for the Oil & Gas industry, faced a significant challenge: their SCADA system relied on a complex network of point-to-point VPN tunnels which were not only difficult to maintain, but also hindered operational scalability and efficiency. The existing SCADA software further compounded the problem, requiring extensive manual updates and creating operational bottlenecks.
Recognizing the need for a transformative solution, Goodnight Midstream turned to CSE ICON for our expertise in industrial automation and SCADA modernization.
Identifying the Problems
Goodnight Midstream’s SCADA architecture depended on multiple point-to-point VPN connections to securely link facilities to a central hub. This setup demanded constant monitoring and maintenance, with frequent disruptions impacting daily operations. As Kevin Cooper, the company’s Chief Information Officer, noted, “It was not uncommon for us to come into work in the morning and have seven or eight tickets at the help desk because reports weren’t working.” Additionally, the legacy SCADA software required manual updates across over 100 endpoints, often leaving sites “orphaned” until updates were completed.The Solution: Ignition by Inductive Automation
CSE ICON’s solution was built around Ignition, a powerful, cost-effective platform for SCADA, HMI, and IIoT.
Key objectives included:
- Eliminating point-to-point VPNs by implementing MQTT for secure, efficient data transfer.
- Standardizing data with User Defined Types (UDTs) to simplify tag management.
- Deploying Ignition Edge on robust Linux-based Moxa devices for reliable edge computing.
- Streamlining patch management to ensure version consistency across all endpoints.
Implementation Highlights
CSE ICON’s team collaborated closely with Goodnight Midstream to design a scalable gateway architecture. Five enterprise-level Windows servers and approximately 50 Moxa AIG Edge Intelligence Gateway devices were strategically deployed, each running Ignition Edge. The Moxa devices, preloaded with Debian Linux, provided a stable and efficient platform for edge computing in harsh environments. To facilitate seamless data communication, CSE ICON implemented the Chariot MQTT broker, which outperformed expectations during rigorous load testing. UDTs were employed to standardize over 100,000 tags, significantly reducing manual configuration efforts. Additionally, custom scripting enabled real-time alarm synchronization between edge and central systems, a critical feature for operational oversight.Transformational Results
The project, initially planned for 12 months, was completed in just eight months—thanks in part to robust scope definition and a highly collaborative execution. By replacing VPNs with MQTT, Goodnight Midstream achieved a simpler, more secure architecture. The new system allows for real-time data visualization through high-performance HMI screens and interactive pipeline maps, enhancing operational awareness at all levels. Goodnight Midstream can also add new sites in minutes rather than hours, empowering their team to scale operations efficiently. The streamlined Ignition system has not only reduced costs but also positioned the company for future expansion, with plans to grow to 30–50 sites.Get the full story
Learn more about this transformation project in this Video Case Study produced together with our partners at Inductive Automation.
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CSE ICON is a professional services company focused on the design, development, and implementation of Operational Technology used in the processing and manufacturing industries. Our mission is to bring people and data together, helping our customers continuously improve and increase profitability.