jeev

I am now part of a startup company based on energy optimisation of HVAC in buildings. I am assigned to have research on which SCADA system to select for HVAC energy optimisation. The model is in such a way that, we need to create a SCADA / HMI for the client's building on top of existing Building Management System (BMS) to achieve energy saving.  I am still an intern and I am requested to research on various SCADA options available in the market. I have few doubts regarding: 1. How can I select one SCADA / HMI over the other?  2.GE Cimplicity and Niagara 4 are two option which I am interested in. What is the major difference between both? (Price and functionality) 3. Is Tridium Niagara 4 a SCADA software? ( I read about it but I didn't understand as I am new to this field). Is it same like tia portal which is a software that is used to program plc and create user interface??

Thank You Mr. Panic Mode

I am pretty new to the SCADA world. I wanted to know what are the advantages of using a paid proprietary SCADA software such as WinCC, Wonderware, cimplicity over free software such as OpenSCADA, OpenAPI, IndigoSCADA and so on. I have read, there are more layers of security in the paid one. What does that mean? What are the other main differences between the paid and free ones out there in the market?