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The  '''OPC Foundation''' (Open Platform Communications, formerly Object Linking and Embedding for Process Control<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://opcfoundation.org/about/what-is-opc/
|title=What is OPC?
|publisher=OPC Foundation
|accessdate=2022-04-06}}</ref>) is an [[consortium|industry consortium]] that creates and maintains standards for open connectivity of [[industrial automation]] devices and systems, such as [[industrial control system]]s and [[process control]] generally. The OPC [[standardization|standard]]s specify the communication of industrial process data, [[alarm]]s and events, historical data and [[Batch processing|batch process]] data between [[sensor]]s, [[Measuring instrument|instrument]]s, controllers,  software systems, and [[notification device]]s.

The OPC Foundation started in 1994,<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.kepware.com/Menu_items/industry_OPC_Foundation.asp
|title=About OPC – OPen Connectivity through Open Standards
|publisher=[[Kepware Technologies]]
|accessdate=2009-03-07}}</ref> as a task force comprising five industrial automation vendors ([[Fisher/Rosemount|Fisher-Rosemount]], [[Rockwell Automation]], [[Opto 22]], Intellution, and Intuitive Technology),<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.opcfoundation.org/Default.aspx/01_about/01_history.asp?MID=AboutOPC
 |title       = About OPC – What is the OPC Foundation?
 |publisher   = OPC Foundation
 |accessdate  = 2012-01-30
 |url-status     = dead
 |archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120220234456/http://www.opcfoundation.org/Default.aspx/01_about/01_history.asp?MID=AboutOPC
 |archivedate = 2012-02-20
}}</ref> with the purpose of creating a basic [[OLE for process control|OLE for Process Control]] specification.  [[Object Linking and Embedding|OLE]] is a technology developed by [[Microsoft Corporation]] for the [[Microsoft Windows|MS Windows]] operating system.  The task force released the OPC standard in August 1996.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} The OPC Foundation was chartered to continue development of interoperability specifications and includes manufacturers and users of devices instruments, controllers, software and enterprise systems. 

The OPC Foundation cooperates with other organizations, such as [[MTConnect]], who share similar missions.

== OPC standards and specification groups ==
; [[OPC Data Access]] : This group of standards provides specifications for communicating real-time data from data acquisition devices such as [[Programmable logic controller|PLCs]] to display and interface devices like [[Human-Machine Interface]]s (HMI).  The specifications focus on the continuous communication of data

; OPC Alarms and Events : Standards for communicating alarm and event data on demand, as opposed to the continuous communications in the OPC Data Access group  

; OPC Batch : Standards to address the needs of [[Batch processing|batch processes]]

; OPC Data eXchange : This group of standards addresses [[inter-server|server to server]] communications across industrial networks.  The standards also address remote configuration, diagnostics, monitoring and management communications

; [[OPC Historical Data Access]] : Standards for communicating stored data

; OPC Security : Standards for controlling client access to OPC compliant devices and systems

; OPC XML-DA : Builds on the OPC Data Access specifications to communicate data in XML.  Incorporates [[SOAP]] and [[Web services]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Create OPC Clients For OPC-DA (Data Access) - OPC Labs |url=https://www.opclabs.com/products/quickopc/opc-specifications/opc-xml-da |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=www.opclabs.com}}</ref>

; OPC Complex Data : Standards for specifying the communication of complex data types such as binary data and XML documents

; OPC Commands : Standards for communicating control commands to devices and systems

; [[OPC Unified Architecture]] : An entirely new set of standards that incorporates all of the functionality of the above standards (and more), but does so using cross platform web services and other modern technology.

; OPC Certification :  The OPC Foundation has a well established Certification Process.  The OPC Foundation calls this the OPC Enhanced Certification Program.
The OPC Foundation enhanced the range for certification of OPC product to meet the increasing demand for reliable functionality and insured interoperability. The self-certification using the ComplianceTestTool (CTT) and the participation at an Interoperability Workshop (IOP) are now enhanced with a Certification in an independent test facility. According to the test specification here not only the OPC Data Access (DA2/3) interface is tested but also the overall behavior of the product in a real world environment is verified. [https://opcfoundation.org/certification/overview-benefits/ OPC Certification]

==See also==
*[[Object Linking and Embedding]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.opcfoundation.org OPC Foundation]

[[Category:Automation organizations]]