About OPC Standards and Technologies

What is OPC?

OPC is a worldwide standard of application interface in industrial automation software and the enterprise systems that support industry. OPC standards are provided in form of various specifications. OPC standards and OPC technology can be used by anybody without any royalty charges to OPC Foundation.

This page attempts to provide explanation of commonly used OPC terms.

What is an OPC Server?

OPC Server is a software application which provides industrial real-time data from PLCs, DCSs, and other control devices to HMIs and other OPC clients. It can also be embedded directly in the controller or the device. OPC Wizard from OPC Labs allows you to develops OPC UA servers with extreme ease.

What is an OPC Client?

OPC client is OPC data consumer. It is typically a visualization or database application which present or uses the OPC data provided by OPC servers. With the use of QuickOPC you can easily enhance any non-OPC application to become an OPC client and connect it to a broad family of existing OPC servers.