OPC

OPC is an open standard for data communication. OPC is based upon the OLE-standard from Microsoft. You can easily comprehend the principle of OLE (object embedding and linking) with Microsoft Office. If you create a file in e.g. Excel you can embed it into e.g. Word as a linked object. Any changes you make in the Excel file are automatically taken over in the Word file. Consistently copy and paste is not necessary this way.

OPC (OLE for process control) provides this OLE function for the network. An OPC server saves all data (e.g. the group addresses and states of a facility). An OPC client can access the server an so the data. There are several clients from several providers that can communicate with OPC servers because of the open standard. According o the OLE principle for example any state changes in the facility are visible in a client. With a client you can also access the facility via the OPC server and e.g. switch the lights.

There are some visualisation clients with OPC support. You have many possibilities to visualise and control a EIB facility local and from the distance. You are not bound to a platform or to a manufacturer.

NETxEIB Open OPC 2 is a software that in connection to eibNode forms an extremely secure and stable platform for OPC clients. This way the world of the EIB can be connected to other crafts.