10 min video / 7 minute read Download PDF Creating a Framework for Success Flexware’s relationship with American Water Corporation originated with a project to develop a framework for standardizing color scheming, symbol layouts, and faceplates across the enterprise. Previously, each American Water location was responsible for its own visualization, resulting in a lack of consistency between facilities, and making remote troubleshooting efforts confusing and difficult. To create this framework, Flexware chose Ignition not only for its rapid development environment with reusable templates and tag structures, but also because Ignition’s unlimited licensing model meant that American Water could implement the framework without needing to consider the individual size of each facility. A SCADA Runs Through It For the implementation at Monterey, Flexware worked closely with California American Water to develop a solution for migrating from a legacy setup to a modern water SCADA system using a mature, mobile-friendly distributed Ignition architecture. The new system monitors and controls close to 130 remote sites, while providing Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data to American Water’s enterprise portal. California American Water’s legacy SCADA system could not meet current operational needs, offering a clunky interface that required operators to drill down through multiple screens to view KPIs and excessive implementation time to add new sensors or pumps. Beyond its inefficient interface, the legacy system lacked the capability to upgrade to Industry 4.0 standards like mobile accessibility, advanced data analytics, and modern cybersecurity measures. Eye-Catching, Yet Understated Flexware designed the system’s visualization following ISA-101 high-performance HMI standards, replacing the legacy system’s bright colors and inconsistent screens with streamlined grayscale to emphasize changes and alarms. For navigation through the HMI, Flexware took American Water’s existing structure and separated it by sub-area, then moved critical KPIs to headers so that parts of the system, like wells and tanks, can be constantly monitored. Large-Scale Solution in Your Back Pocket One of the most critical features of the new Ignition system was mobile-responsiveness and accessibility. This was accomplished using Ignition’s Perspective Module , allowing Flexware to develop screens and templatized views that smoothly transition from desktop to tablet and mobile. “The automatic scaling allows all different devices to be used,” Grondin said. “An operator can be sitting at the tank or a pump site and be able to view the active values of the site on their mobile phone without having to log in anything and be connected just about anywhere.” Combined with the high-performance framework, these screens have enabled operators to quickly ascertain the status of the system, whether they are on the plant floor or traveling to a remote site. A Swift Migration Flexware was able to work in the background because implementing Ignition did not require shutting down operations. Both systems were run in parallel until the legacy system could be shut down completely. “Installing the Ignition system on the Stratus server, it was virtually seamless. [Flexware] had a link into where they could download the project onto the server. It was already preloaded with everything they needed,” Grondin said. One critical aspect of migrating the system was adding devices and updating tag locations for PLCs. Ignition’s server-centric deployment and Tag Historian Module made this easy. “Add the location and it updates the SQL table and it automatically populates the navigation header in the SCADA app,” said Holt. “The Historian being integrated into the system also is a huge benefit. It's a SQL base. So getting the information out and updating the new tag location is all integrated. So that doesn't require any special programming or changes,” said Grondin. Keeping up with Trends Paving the Way Leveraging Ignition, California American Water’s Monterey facility now has a system that is infinitely scalable into the future and adheres to modern best practices. Additionally, maintenance has been almost nonexistent. “Once we've established the project, established all the tags, everything is talking. We have their views configured. It just runs,” said Holt. Currently, 30-40 employees use the Ignition system at the Monterey facility and California American Water plans to implement Ignition in Southern California shortly, and Northern California after that. However, everyone in American Water Corporation can view the system in read-only mode. “Everybody can look in, even from the CEO down to the office clerk. So virtually thousands of employees could be using it,” said Grondin. Project Information Created By: Flexware Innovation Flexware Innovation is a leading technology integrator who helps forward thinkers in manufacturing and related industries build comprehensive and long-lasting solutions with ease. Founded in 1996, Flexware continues to help companies leverage technology to solve real business problems with teams of engineers focused on software development, automation engineering, manufacturing systems integration, business intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Their passion is helping customers avoid costly architectural mistakes and design, architect, and build solutions that stand the test of time. For more information, visit flexwareinnovation.com. Last Updated on: July 24, 2026 Inductive Automation All rights reserved