OPC Factory Communications Software

OPC (OLE for Process Control) is the open standard for connecting automation and data capture devices with Control Room applications. 

This is a whole new paradigm where high quality drivers are written and maintained by experts.  This means you can choose the best OPC client application (SCADA, HMI etc) with the certainty that it will work with your chosen hardware through associated OPC servers.

1. Client Software

2. Finding the Best OPC Server

1. The first option is your I/O device manufacturer; who better to create and maintain a high quality OPC driver.  Lists of OPC servers are available from here. 
2. There are a number of companies that specialise in developing high quality OPC device drivers.  We have successfully used products from KEPWARE (over 60 drivers are available on-line), and MATRIKON. IOServer have experience of over 40 protocols and offer a full 'New Driver' development capability.
3. Many SCADA & DCS packages also include OPC servers, so it is possible to share data between applications.
4. There is always the one-off, odd ball, legacy device which has no OPC server.  In situations like this, we use Hexatec Software Basic scripting serial port support and OPC server capability.  Alternatively, you can use the Omniserver programmable OPC server from Software Toolbox.  This is a powerful 'white protocol' OPC server which will talk to a wide range of I/O devices.  A FREE trial copy is available from their web-site. The IOServer server range also includes a User Defined Protocol option.
5. If you want to develop your own OPC server, then a number of very good OPC server development kits are available to save you time.  Consult the OPC Foundation web-site.

If you find a good OPC server let us know and we will include it in our list.

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