• Open standardization of the addressing using logical names for objects from an automation component or an automation system
• Supports STEP 7 symbols
• Efficient data transfer from a process component to an application for further processing
• One client application can use several servers simultaneously
• Simultaneous execution of more than one client is possible on one OPC server
• The communication protocols can be operated in parallel
• Interfaces
  • "Custom Interface“ for high-performance C++/NET applications
  • "Automation Interface" for easily created Visual Basic applications (or similar)
  • OCX Data Control or .NET Data Control for simple connection to Windows applications that support COM/DCOM
  • XML DA interface;
    Data access to S7 CPUs is therefore possible over the Internet.

Configuration

• The communication parameters are configured using only the tools of the configuration software (configuration console, SIMATIC NCM PC or STEP 7 V5.1 + SP2 and higher)
• A configuration tool is included in the scope of delivery of the PROFIBUS software packages.

Comparison of conventional client/server architecture with an OPC architecture