Comparing SCADA Solutions: Gannett Fleming Companies vs. Ges Automation Technology
The rise of automation technologies is transforming industries, and at the center of this transformation lies SCADA—Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. SCADA is the backbone of smart industrial systems, and choosing the right partner for implementing it can make or break productivity gains.
When it comes to SCADA solutions, two companies are frequently mentioned: Gannett Fleming Companies and GES Automation Technology. These two stand out for their innovative approaches, technical depth, and long-term client support. But how do they compare? In this article, we take a deep dive into the strengths, differences, and value propositions of each.
Let’s first understand who they are.
Who Are Gannett Fleming Companies & GES Automation Technology?
Gannett Fleming is a global infrastructure and engineering firm headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. With over a century in business and thousands of professionals, their services cover transportation, environmental systems, and infrastructure. Within that wide range, they offer high-level SCADA system design and integration, especially for critical infrastructure such as water treatment and transit systems. They bring robust engineering discipline to every technology stack.
GES Automation Technology, based in Naperville, Illinois, is a specialized controls system integrator focusing heavily on industrial automation, control panels, and SCADA integration. Their customer base ranges from manufacturing plants to water utilities. Being smaller and more agile allows GES to offer highly customized services with speedy turnaround and adaptability.
Both players are well-respected but serve slightly different market segments and approaches.
Why SCADA Systems Are Crucial Today
SCADA systems help facilities monitor and control processes using real-time data, vastly improving operational efficiency, safety, and decision-making. In sectors like water, power, transportation, and manufacturing, SCADA isn’t a luxury—it’s vital infrastructure.
Implementing or upgrading a SCADA system involves:
Gannett Fleming and GES Automation Technology approach these elements in very different ways.
Approach to SCADA Systems: Big Picture vs. Agile Solutions
Gannett Fleming shines in handling large-scale, public infrastructure projects. Their SCADA teams are often integrated with civil and environmental engineers, meaning their systems are engineered for long-term support and industry compliance—especially in heavily regulated sectors like water and transportation.
For instance, in a water treatment project for the Denver Metro area, Gannett Fleming introduced a highly redundant, secure SCADA network that not only integrated existing PLCs and RTUs but also leveraged predictive analytics for maintenance forecasting. Their systems often include layers of backup and redundancy, ensuring uptime and cyber-hardening.
In contrast, GES Automation Technology is ideal for mid-sized manufacturing and plant operations needing rapid deployment and custom features. GES uses a leaner model, relying on their experienced electricians, mechanical engineers, and programmers to quickly design, test, and deploy scalable SCADA architectures. Being product-agnostic, they can easily switch between platforms like Ignition, Wonderware, or Rockwell’s FactoryTalk depending on the client’s need.
For a Midwest-based dairy production facility, GES retrofitted an aging PLC system, integrated it with modern SCADA layers, and added mobile visibility dashboards—all within a few weeks. Their size allows fast iterations with little bureaucratic overhead.
Software Ecosystems: Open Integration vs. Deep Vertical Integration
Gannett Fleming often prefers enterprise-scale SCADA platforms. Their software stack generally includes:
They ensure the software is looped into other mission-critical platforms like ERP systems and GIS for layered operational awareness.
GES Automation thrives in custom environments. Their team can pull data from almost any source and offer dashboards built in:
Because of this flexibility, their solutions don’t disrupt existing processes—they enhance them. For customers wary of rip-and-replace upgrades, GES offers a pathway via incremental updates.
Cybersecurity and Compliance Standards
Modern SCADA systems must be secure. Both companies recognize this but differ in how they approach it.
Gannett Fleming brings in IT and risk consultants to conduct threat models. Their deployments often comply with industry standards such as:
They usually install firewalls, VPN solutions, dual-factor authentication, and log monitoring—all designed as baked-in, not bolted-on.
GES Automation takes a practical, hands-on approach. Their engineers implement security measures directly onto panels and PLCs. For instance:
Though not as rigorous as Gannett’s full-stack safeguards, GES solutions excel in real-world usability—the kind that plant managers can interact with daily.
Customer Support & Life-Cycle Services
Gannett Fleming provides structured support models that include technical documentation, ticketed service desks, and long-term SCADA architects. However, their layered corporate structure sometimes leads to longer response times or project lags.
GES Automation is known for its responsive, personal touch. Direct contact with the lead systems engineer is not uncommon, and many clients enjoy 24/7 emergency response plans. This level of service is deeply valued in operation-critical environments like food production.
Pricing Transparency & Budget Alignment
Cost is a critical factor in automation decisions—and again, the two companies diverge.
Gannett Fleming typically works on long RFP cycles with larger budgets. Their clients are municipalities, infrastructure departments, and Fortune 500 engineering operations. The cost may be higher, but includes consultation, risk review, compliance, and documentation—essentially predictability at scale.
GES Automation provides more transparent, component-based pricing. Small-to-medium manufacturers and utilities can benefit substantially from their ability to work within tight budget scopes. Their modular approach allows clients to scale over time.
Real-World Results: Case Study Highlights
Client Type: Metropolitan Transportation
Solution by Gannett Fleming: Implementation of a high-availability SCADA system to control 50+ pump stations, integrated with GIS and predictive analytics. Resulted in 20% operational efficiency improvements and reduced emergency incidents by 35%.
Client Type: Beverage Manufacturing Plant
Solution by GES Automation: Integrated Ignition SCADA with older Allen-Bradley PLCs, enabling real-time mobile monitoring and automated batch reporting. Led to 18% production increase and 12% downtime reduction.
Comparison Table: At a Glance
| Factor | Gannett Fleming | GES Automation Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Size of Projects | Large-scale infrastructure | Mid-size and private industrial |
| SCADA Software Used | GE Digital, Schneider, Ignition | Ignition, FactoryTalk, Siemens |
| Cybersecurity Approach | Enterprise-grade, compliance-heavy | Field-based, practical security |
| Response Time | Standard corporate SLAs | Direct engineer-to-client |
| Pricing Model | Project-based, long RFPs | A la carte, modular budgets |
Pros & Cons: Final Word
Gannett Fleming – Pros:
Gannett Fleming – Cons:
GES Automation – Pros:
GES Automation – Cons:
So, Who Should You Choose?
If you’re a municipality, utility, or agency running critical infrastructure, Gannett Fleming is the clear choice. Their auditing standards, team depth, and compliance focus offer peace of mind.
If you’re a manufacturing plant, mid-sized utility, or a facility needing agility and customization, GES Automation Technology might be the better fit. They offer personal service, rapid deployment, and innovation without blowing your budget.
Still unsure? Visit their websites to explore past project portfolios and specialties:
Final Thoughts
SCADA systems are about visibility, control, and scaling for the future. Whether you need a bulletproof system for public infrastructure or a flexible platform that adapts as you grow, both Gannett Fleming and GES Automation provide solid footing. It’s not about which is better—it’s about which is better for you.
Choose wisely, and your SCADA investment could be one of the best decisions you make this decade.
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