Streakwave Wireless vs. Tri City Engineering: A Deep Dive into SCADA Solutions
In the world of industrial automation and remote system monitoring, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) technology plays a vital role. Two standout companies offering SCADA-related services and technologies are Streakwave Wireless and Tri City Engineering. While both companies cater to different market needs, each brings unique strengths and capabilities when it comes to SCADA applications.
This blog post unpacks what sets these companies apart, their strengths and weaknesses in SCADA integration, and how they align with the specific needs of businesses seeking smarter, more efficient operations. Whether you’re in utilities, energy, water management, or manufacturing, this comparison is designed to guide your decision-making.
Understanding the Players
Streakwave Wireless is known as a premier distributor of wireless broadband equipment. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in San Jose, California, Streakwave offers an extensive portfolio of wireless, networking, and turnkey communication solutions. Their primary clientele includes Internet service providers (ISPs), systems integrators, enterprise IT departments, and government entities across North America and beyond.
Tri City Engineering, on the other hand, is a civil and electrical engineering firm based in Peoria, Arizona. Specializing in public infrastructure such as water treatment plants, stormwater systems, and electrical planning, Tri City has gained recognition for offering full-service professional engineering with a strong emphasis on control systems and SCADA integration for municipal projects.
While both organizations dip their toes in SCADA-related initiatives, their core approaches differ — one excels in communication infrastructure, while the other leans into engineering design and system implementation.
SCADA at a Glance
To appreciate the comparison, it’s helpful to briefly revisit what SCADA does. In simple terms, SCADA systems monitor and control industrial processes remotely. These systems collect real-time data via sensors and transmit commands to equipment in the field. With SCADA, operators can manage complex systems like water treatment, electric grids, and manufacturing lines from a central dashboard — reducing downtime, improving efficiency, and enhancing decision-making.
That’s why finding the right SCADA partner is essential. It’s not simply about software or hardware — it’s about integration, reliability, data connectivity, and support. Now, let’s break down the offerings of Streakwave Wireless and Tri City Engineering across several key areas.
1. Technology & Hardware Integration
Streakwave Wireless:
Streakwave carries a wide variety of wireless and networking products from top-tier brands such as Cambium Networks, Ubiquiti, MikroTik, and Cisco. These products include routers, switches, antennas, and long-range wireless radios — all essential for SCADA communication backbones.
For operations that require wireless telemetry — like remotely monitoring oil wells or controlling irrigation systems — Streakwave’s equipment provides reliable and secure data pathways. In particular, their Cambium PMP and PTP platforms offer robust Point-to-Multipoint and Point-to-Point networking ideal for SCADA applications in rural or wide-area operations.
Pros:
- Wide selection of best-in-class hardware
- Trusted distribution relationships with top networking brands
- Deep expertise in wireless communication
Cons:
- Not a SCADA integrator per se — partners with others for full implementation
- Requires technical know-how from end-users or system integrators
Tri City Engineering:
Tri City Engineering brings heavy engineering experience to SCADA integration. They specialize in designing, installing, and maintaining SCADA systems tailored for municipal and infrastructure clients. Instead of selling off-the-shelf hardware, they start by understanding the process, then tailor each control system to handle real-world conditions.
They commonly integrate PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) hardware from brands such as Allen-Bradley and Siemens into water systems, sewer utilities, and electrical substations. Their strength lies in marrying civil and electrical engineering with control logic — they provide both the software programming and the hardware design.
Pros:
- Turnkey SCADA integration from design to deployment
- Specializes in government and public works projects
- Support for field instrumentation, PLCs, and control panels
Cons:
- Limited to local and regional coverage in Arizona and nearby states
- Fewer options for private/enterprise clients not in infrastructure
Comparison Table: Technology and Integration Scope
| Aspect | Streakwave Wireless | Tri City Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Focus Area | Wireless communication and network equipment distribution | SCADA system design and integration for infrastructure |
| Hardware Portfolio | Extensive, branded equipment (Cambium, Ubiquiti) | Customized PLC and control solutions |
| Integration Services | Limited, mostly reseller-based | Full-service integration, programming, and commissioning |
| Target Market | Telecoms, ISPs, industrial telemetry | Municipalities, public infrastructure |
2. Support and Training
Streakwave Wireless:
Being a distributor, Streakwave supplements their offerings with workshops, vendor-certified training, and technical support centers. They have training events around the country and maintain a documentation library for each product.
For customers with technical teams, this model works well. It gives them freedom to build or expand their SCADA with the confidence that the underlying infrastructure is solid and supported.
Tri City Engineering:
Tri City ties its support into the lifecycle of its installations. They offer operator training, documentation, and follow-up services post deployment. Since many of their clients rely on critical systems for everyday functioning, their SCADA support includes upgrades, remote troubleshooting, and local field visits when necessary.
3. Industry Experience and Reliability
Tri City brings decades of experience in public works and infrastructure, areas where failure is not an option. They’ve worked on water quality stations, wastewater treatment automation, and traffic systems. This makes them reliable for projects that demand resilient operations and long-term support.
Streakwave is known for working on high-demand networks. They’re one of the few distributors that understand both the telecom and IoT industries — incorporating low-latency, high-throughput links perfect for SCADA telemetry.
If your SCADA requires remote, robust communication — say across several miles or in hard-to-reach terrain — Streakwave provides the wireless ecosystem that holds it together.
4. Security and Compliance
In the SCADA world, security is paramount. Streakwave addresses this via offering certified secure devices from vendors supporting WPA3, AES encryption, and IP/VLAN segmentation. But actual implementation depends on the end-user or system integrator.
Conversely, Tri City handles secure end-to-end SCADA system planning. Their engineers include secure remote access, human-machine interface (HMI) authorization controls, and detailed audit reporting. Municipal clients especially benefit from their attention to regulatory compliance such as EPA, ASCE, or FCC standards.
5. Scalability and Customization
Streakwave provides the backbone — you can scale from a single solar pump to a nationwide metering system using their tech. But you’ll need engineers to stitch things together.
Tri City builds SCADA systems that scale with infrastructure master plans. If your city is expecting 20% growth in 10 years, Tri City will plan SCADA growth accordingly. Custom dashboards, predictive alerts, and GIS mapping integration are all part of their playbook.
When to Choose Streakwave Wireless
You should consider Streakwave if:
- You’re looking for top-tier wireless SCADA backbone equipment.
- You already have integrators or technical teams in-house.
- You need flexibility in equipment branding and specialization.
- You operate across large physical areas (e.g., pipelines, solar arrays).
When to Choose Tri City Engineering
Tri City is ideal if:
- You need a complete, turnkey SCADA solution — from sensors to dashboards.
- You are a municipality, utility, or public-service operator.
- You want deep engineering expertise in both civil and control automation.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all choice when it comes to SCADA deployment. Each organization’s goals, infrastructure, and capabilities differ. The key is knowing where your needs lie.
If your focus is on building a communications-first SCADA network with custom components, Streakwave Wireless is a powerful partner. They’ll help build the wireless muscle that keeps your data flowing.
If you’re on a tighter project scope and need full SCADA engineering ready to go — particularly in water or power systems — Tri City Engineering is hard to beat.
There’s room for synergy too. You can buy the best-of-breed radios from Streakwave and bring in Tri City for integration. This hybrid approach is increasingly common and delivers both quality hardware and engineering expertise.
Want to see live examples or case studies? Explore Tri City’s completed municipal projects or reviews of Streakwave’s telecom-grade products online. Your SCADA solution deserves nothing less than a strategic and knowledgeable partner.
Explore More:
- MikroTik Wireless Equipment for SCADA
- Siemens Industrial Security Guide
- EPA Research on SCADA in Water Infrastructure
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Still have questions? Contact either firm and ask them for a solution demo — or better yet, invite both to a pilot project.
Choosing the right SCADA providers could mean the difference between costly downtime and streamlined success.
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