What is the primary purpose of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system?

The primary purpose of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is to oversee operations in large-scale multi-site installations. SCADA systems are designed to control and monitor industrial processes, which may span across different geographical locations. These systems allow operators to gather real-time data from various field instruments, sensors, and remote devices, enabling them to manage and control complex operations efficiently from a centralized location. SCADA is commonly used in industries such as power generation, water treatment, and manufacturing, where effective monitoring and control are crucial for operational integrity and safety.

The other options focus on aspects that are not central to the core functionality of a SCADA system. Equipment maintenance schedules pertain to operational management but are not the same as real-time system monitoring and control. Managing database transactions is related to database management systems rather than the real-time monitoring and control capabilities of SCADA. Enhancing the performance of embedded systems is a different focus altogether, as SCADA systems are typically high-level systems for managing and monitoring rather than directly enhancing embedded system performance.