Introduction
Tennessee's industrial economy runs on automation. Manufacturing contributes $77 billion to the state's GDP and employs approximately 364,600 workers — and the sectors driving that output all depend on real-time visibility and control:
- Automotive — supporting over 71,000 jobs statewide
- Food & Beverage — generating $12 billion in annual sales
- Water/Wastewater — managed in part by the Tennessee Valley Authority
- General Manufacturing — spanning metals, chemicals, plastics, and more
With that much at stake, the SCADA integrator you choose matters. Poor system scalability, integration failures, and unexpected downtime drain resources and stall operations. The right partner delivers centralized control, real-time monitoring, and operational efficiency that drives measurable ROI.
This guide profiles the top 5 SCADA system integrators operating in Tennessee, evaluated on certifications, industry experience, technology partnerships, and regional service capability.
TLDR
- SCADA systems provide centralized control and real-time monitoring across industrial operations
- Tennessee's manufacturing and utilities sectors increasingly rely on SCADA for process automation and compliance
- Leading integrators are evaluated on industry certifications, hands-on platform experience, and how well they support clients after go-live
- The top 5 include Lashley, Cohen and Associates; Maverick Technologies; Burns & McDonnell; IntelliSource Inc.; and Cross Company
- Choosing the right integrator comes down to your industry, project complexity, and what ongoing support looks like once the system is live
Overview of SCADA Systems in Tennessee's Industrial Landscape
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems are software and hardware platforms that allow operators to monitor, collect data from, and control industrial equipment and processes remotely and in real time. They serve as the nerve center for modern industrial facilities, enabling centralized oversight of distributed assets.
Tennessee's industrial diversity creates unique SCADA demands. The state's $77 billion manufacturing economy spans automotive assembly, food processing, chemical production, and metals fabrication.
The Tennessee Valley Authority's grid modernization efforts—including a $332 million investment in a new System Operations Center expected to be fully operational in 2026—underscore the critical role of advanced automation in the region's utility infrastructure. Active sectors driving SCADA adoption include:
- Food and beverage processing
- Water and wastewater utilities
- Chemical manufacturing
- Automotive assembly and tier suppliers
Choosing an integrator with hands-on experience in these industries—and familiarity with Tennessee's regulatory and operational environment—directly affects project outcomes. Here are the top five SCADA integrators actively serving facilities across the state.
Top 5 SCADA System Integrators in Tennessee
These integrators were selected based on industry certifications, SCADA platform expertise, Tennessee/Southeast market presence, and demonstrated client results.
Lashley, Cohen and Associates
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Lawrenceville, GA, Lashley, Cohen and Associates brings over 35 years of industrial automation and controls integration experience to the Southeast, including Tennessee. They serve food and beverage, water/wastewater, chemicals, and general manufacturing sectors with a proactive approach that aligns SCADA solutions with clients' long-term business goals.
ISO-9001 certified project management processes ensure consistent delivery from scoping to commissioning, with a Certified PE Engineer on staff for complex regulatory environments. As a Rockwell Systems Bronze Partner, they back that structure with a portfolio of 5,000+ completed projects across 2,000+ clients.
Notable project outcomes include a 50% throughput increase on a $3 million beverage filling line and complete control system implementation for a wastewater treatment facility that saved hundreds of horsepower in aeration costs through innovative process automation.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Certifications & Partnerships | ISO-9001 Certified, Rockwell Systems Bronze Partner, Certified PE Engineer on staff |
| Industries Served | Food & Beverage, Water/Wastewater, Chemicals, General Manufacturing, Building Materials, Metals |
| Service Capabilities | Controls integration, SCADA design and implementation, project management, engineering services for projects of any scale |
Maverick Technologies (Rockwell Automation)
Acquired by Rockwell Automation in October 2016, Maverick Technologies operates as a specialized systems integrator within the Rockwell ecosystem. With 21 locations across the U.S., they provide strong coverage for Southeast industrial automation projects, including Tennessee facilities.
Their scale as a Rockwell subsidiary provides direct access to PlantPAx DCS and FactoryTalk platforms, backed by CSIA Certification across project management, quality systems, and cybersecurity. Their "DCSNext" methodology covers DCS migration and enterprise integration, with particular strength in batch applications and alarm management for chemical and food processing operations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Certifications & Partnerships | CSIA Certified, Rockwell Automation subsidiary, PlantPAx and FactoryTalk expertise |
| Industries Served | Chemical, Food & Beverage, Oil & Gas, Process Manufacturing |
| Service Capabilities | DCS migration, process control, MES integration, batch automation, alarm management |
Burns & McDonnell
Burns & McDonnell is a full-service engineering firm with an active office in Knoxville and extensive project history with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), including environmental assessments for solar projects and grid infrastructure work. They specialize in large-scale utility and municipal infrastructure projects requiring multi-discipline engineering capabilities.
Their "Utility-Grade Automation" approach is particularly strong in water/wastewater SCADA implementations, with portfolio highlights including the Dodd Water Treatment Plant capacity expansion and the Plum Creek Water Purification Facility.
As a design-build firm with Professional Engineer (PE) licensure and AWWA alignment, they manage the entire project lifecycle from physical infrastructure through control system commissioning.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Certifications & Partnerships | PE licensure, AWWA alignment, design-build delivery model |
| Industries Served | Utilities, Water/Wastewater, Energy, Municipal Infrastructure |
| Service Capabilities | SCADA integration, engineering design, design-build project delivery, TVA-adjacent utility work |
IntelliSource Inc.
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Denver, CO, IntelliSource established a physical presence in Knoxville, TN (850 Discovery Lane), providing local support for Tennessee manufacturing clients. They are listed on Inductive Automation's integrator finder, signaling expertise in the rapidly growing Ignition SCADA platform.
IntelliSource holds CSIA membership, adhering to industry best practices for project delivery and quality management. Their focus on Ignition makes them ideal for facilities looking to transition away from restrictive per-tag licensing models to unlimited-tag platforms. They serve automotive, food and beverage, and water/wastewater sectors with agile, modern SCADA solutions tailored to mid-market manufacturing operations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Certifications & Partnerships | CSIA member, Ignition Integrator (Inductive Automation) |
| Industries Served | Automotive, Food & Beverage, Water/Wastewater, Manufacturing |
| Service Capabilities | SCADA design, HMI development, Ignition platform implementation, system support |
Cross Company
Cross Company is an employee-owned (ESOP) company founded in 1954, providing long-term stability and deep industry knowledge. They maintain a robust Tennessee footprint with a Process Solutions Group HQ in Knoxville (850 Discovery Lane) and additional operations in Nashville and Memphis.
A multi-vendor approach differentiates Cross Company from single-platform integrators. Partnerships with Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Emerson give clients platform flexibility without vendor lock-in. As an A3 member (Association for Advancing Automation) since 2010, their "Automation by Cross" division specializes in robotics, machine tending, and automating manual processes for automotive and food and beverage industries. They also operate a GARD Center in Knoxville for valve repair and process solutions.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Certifications & Partnerships | A3 member, multi-vendor partnerships (Rockwell, Siemens, Emerson) |
| Industries Served | Manufacturing, Food Processing, Chemicals, Automotive |
| Service Capabilities | Multi-platform SCADA, controls integration, robotics, process solutions, ongoing support |
How We Chose the Best SCADA System Integrators in Tennessee
We assessed each integrator on verified credentials, technology platform expertise, Tennessee/Southeast industry experience, project delivery track record, and client-facing support capabilities. Businesses often choose integrators based on brand name alone rather than sector fit or post-deployment support — a costly mistake that shows up months after go-live.
Key selection criteria include:
- Industry certifications: CSIA membership, ISO-9001 certification, and PE licensure signal operational maturity and quality management
- OEM/platform partnerships: Rockwell, Siemens, Ignition, and Emerson partnerships indicate technical depth and vendor support access
- Range of industries served: Integrators with proven experience in your specific sector (food processing, water treatment, automotive) understand compliance and operational nuances
- Scalability of solutions: Look for integrators who architect SCADA systems with modular expansion in mind — adding I/O points, remote sites, or historian capacity without a full redesign
- Proximity and availability: Integrators with Tennessee or Southeast regional presence can respond on-site within hours — not days — when production issues arise post-commissioning
If your facility operates under EPA, FDA, or similar regulatory oversight, prioritize integrators who can demonstrate documented compliance experience alongside their technical credentials — not just certifications on paper.
Conclusion
Tennessee's industrial sectors need SCADA integration partners with verified credentials, hands-on regional experience, and the engineering depth to handle complex, long-running deployments. The integrators profiled here represent the strongest combination of certifications, platform expertise, and Tennessee market presence.
When making your final decision, evaluate each integrator on long-term fit — not just initial deployment capability. Key criteria to assess:
- Post-commissioning support and response times
- Upgrade pathways as your systems and operations evolve
- Familiarity with your industry's compliance and operational requirements
- Quality management processes and project delivery track record
With 35+ years of experience, ISO-9001 certified processes, and a portfolio spanning 5,000+ projects across food and beverage, water/wastewater, manufacturing, and more, Lashley, Cohen and Associates brings the engineering rigor and sector-specific experience that complex Tennessee facilities require. Ready to discuss your SCADA integration project? Reach out at websales@lashleycohen.com or call (770) 962-0878.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a SCADA system integrator do?
A SCADA integrator designs, configures, and deploys SCADA systems tailored to a facility's specific processes. This covers hardware selection, software programming, HMI design, network architecture, commissioning, and regulatory validation.
What industries in Tennessee commonly use SCADA systems?
Tennessee's key SCADA-dependent sectors include water/wastewater utilities, food and beverage manufacturing, automotive assembly, chemical processing, and energy production.
How much does SCADA system integration typically cost?
Costs vary based on system complexity, I/O point count, software licensing, and site conditions. Small to mid-size upgrades typically run $15,000–$100,000, while large greenfield implementations can reach $200,000 to $1 million+ — making custom quotes essential for accurate budgeting.
How long does a SCADA integration project take to complete?
Timelines depend on project scope. Small upgrades may take 3 to 6 months, while large greenfield implementations can span 12 to 18 months.
What certifications should I look for in a SCADA system integrator?
Key credentials include CSIA (Control System Integrators Association) membership, ISO-9001 certification for quality management, PE licensure on staff for engineering oversight, and OEM platform partnerships (Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Inductive Automation). Together, these credentials signal both technical capability and process discipline.
What is the difference between a SCADA vendor and a SCADA system integrator?
A SCADA vendor develops and sells the SCADA software/hardware platform (e.g., Rockwell, Siemens, Inductive Automation). A SCADA system integrator configures, customizes, and deploys those platforms into a client's specific operational environment. Integrators often work across multiple vendor platforms to meet client needs.
