Ignition 8.3 Unveiled: Advanced Visualization, Historian Modules, and Secure Data Integration

Faster, more intuitive web interface with integrated search, improved visual organization and unified configuration/diagnostic tools eliminate time-consuming navigation between sections.
Restructured historian modules feature high-performance QuestDB and flexible SQL database connectivity for scalable data storage.
Multi-layered security improvements include the Secrets Management system and Google Protobuf communications.

With major changes that increase data processing efficiency, enhance security, streamline management and speed up development cycles, Ignition 8.3 is not just an updated version of Inductive Automation’s well-known software — “it’s a completely modernized platform for building the next generation of industrial applications,” said Travis Cox, chief technology evangelist at Inductive Automation.

Highlighting a few key features in this update, Cox began by explaining that the gateway is the heart of Ignition, with version 8.3 reflecting years of user feedback in the updated UI (user interface) and UX (user experience) design. “In 8.3, you’ll find a faster, more intuitive gateway web interface which offers easy connection and management across enterprises, integrated search capabilities, enhanced visual organization and increased customization,” said Cox. “Also, the configuration and diagnostic tools are now housed together, eliminating the need to bounce between sections, which saves precious time during troubleshooting and development.”

Visualization and historian updates

The Perspective Module received major improvements in version 8.3. The new Drawing Editor, for example, features native vector illustration tools, enabling users to create and modify SVG graphics within the Ignition designer instead of having to use external software. “You can dynamically bind these graphics to live data tags, as well as animate, layer and fully integrate them into HMI dashboards or user interfaces,” said Cox.

Whether you're using version control for tracking source code changes or automating configuration through the REST API, Ignition is equipped to work with your DevOps pipeline.

Data handling is also improved in Ignition 8.3 with the new Historian Module Suite. Cox pointed out that two modules are included here: the Historian Core Module and the SQL Historian Module. This structuring of the historian module was done to enable easier additions of historian types. Cox added that more historians will be added to Ignition soon.

The Historian Core Module features the Internal Historian — QuestDB, a high-performance historian offering rapid data querying, native aggregation and archiving, data aliasing, metadata support and a zero-configuration setup. Also include are multiple options for connecting to data sources, the internal historian — SQLite — and additional historian functionality.

Travis Cox, chief technology evangelist, Inductive Automation.

The SQL Historian Module includes a SQL Historian that makes it easy to connect to external SQL databases, making it suitable for large-scale data storage.

Ignition 8.3 also introduces a Historian API, which allows users to implement their own custom historian using any technology.

New Event Streams module

When building complex, event-driven architectures, the new Event Streams Module enables users to centralize data flow and handle asynchronous events in Ignition. Event Streams allows users to map, filter and route data between subsystems, Cox said, “so that users can set up actions like capturing alarms, reacting to tag changes, or subscribing to Kafka topics without writing hundreds of lines of code. It also enables you to publish data to brokers, message queues and buses. With Event Streams, you can now build real-time data pipelines that connect systems that were previously unable to talk to each other — all from a single, drag-and-drop interface.”

A major focus on security improvements

This latest version of Ignition introduces multiple layers of protection that align with the most modern IT standards, said Cox. For example, the new Secrets Management system ensures that sensitive credentials like passwords, certificates and encryption keys are secure and can never be exposed in configuration files. Version 8.3 also enhances the gateway’s webpage technology for better security.

Users can set up actions like capturing alarms, reacting to tag changes, or subscribing to Kafka topics without writing hundreds of lines of code.

In addition, Ignition now uses Google Protobuf instead of Java Serialization, making communication between clients and gateways faster, lighter and more secure. This change directly addresses a vulnerability responsible for 40% of disclosed CVEs (common vulnerabilities and exposures).

Connecting OT and IT

Ignition 8.3 also helps integrate OT into IT systems, according to Cox. He explained that, in Ignition 8.3, “all configuration is stored in the file system as JSON files instead of an internal database, making them easier to track, share and version control. Additionally, third-party systems can access the configuration securely through a built-in REST API, making it easy to leverage infrastructure as code.”

The new gateway-wide deployment mode makes it easier to define and manage environments like development, staging and production from a single server.

Cox added that users can also automate builds and test changes with familiar tools and workflows. “Whether you're using version control for tracking source code changes or automating configuration through the REST API, Ignition is equipped to work with your DevOps pipeline,” he said.

Many more improvements, beyond those noted here, are included in Ignition 8.3 beta. Learn about all the updates and download the latest beta edition.