Our Knowledge Base
The OPC Router Knowledge Base offers you a comprehensive and quick overview of current industry keywords as well as technical information on the digital connection and realization of Industry 4.0. We regularly update and expand this page with interesting topics.
Automation & SCADA
Controllers, control systems and manufacturing software have grown over decades and rarely speak the same language. Getting production data into an ERP system, an MES or an analytics tool starts with knowing which level does what and where the handovers are. This series works through the terms from the PLC via SCADA and the distributed control system to the MES, and covers what cuts across them: security under IEC 62443, the Unified Namespace and the historian. At every stop, it shows how the data gets from there into IT.
- What is ISA-95?The Five Levels, IEC 62264 and the Automation Pyramid
- What is a PLC?How It Works, How It Is Programmed and How to Get Data Out
- What is a Manufacturing Execution System (MES)?Functions, MES vs. ERP, and Interfaces
- What is SCADA?Components and How It Differs from HMI, MES and DCS
- What is an HMI?Human-Machine Interfaces, Web HMI and IT Integration
- What is IEC 62443?Zones, Conduits and Security Levels Explained
- What is a Distributed Control System (DCS)?
- What is an Industrial Historian?The Historian Database for Process Data
- Connecting to a Unified NamespacePublishing and Consuming Shop-Floor Data
- Connecting Ignition SCADA to SAPRoutes, IDoc and Common Pitfalls
Industry 4.0
Advancing digitalization and Industry 4.0 are increasing the requirements for the exchange of extensive data in production environments. The easier this information can be exchanged, the more efficiently machines work. Universal interfaces for different standards that exist worldwide are indispensable for the implementation of Industry 4.0.
Cloud
Cloud computing is the basis for the Internet of Things (IoT) or Industry 4.0. In most industrial companies, it is no longer a question of whether to implement new applications with the help of the cloud, but only how. Thus, development in the cloud has made great progress in recent years.
Technology
Data exchange in the sense of transparent Industry 4.0 communication is the basis for fundamentally new possibilities in industrial operations. Global access for diagnostic and configuration information can only be realized in automation technology through special data formats and protocols.
- JSON – what is it?
- REST / REST API – what is that?
- CSV – what is that?
- MQTT – what is it?
- Sparkplug – what is it?
- Edge and Edge Computing – what is it?
- Telegram Bot – what is it?
- SQL – what is it?
- NoSQL – what is it?
- MongoDB – what is it?
- PostgreSQL – what is it?
- Connect ThingWorx via REST Plug-in
- Connect InfluxDB 2 via OPC Router
- MariaDB – what is it?
- Docker – what is it?
- Set up OPC Router in Docker Container
- ETL – what is it?
- No-Code & Low-Code: definition, benefits and industrial applications
- Webhooks – Event-driven communication
- SOAP – what is it?
- YAML – what is it?
- Infrastructure as Code – what is it?
Alerting
The establishment of central alarm management systems with the help of secure communication channels increasingly requires smart transmission channels. With the right connection, modern mobile devices make it possible to react to unplanned situations with immediate decisions at any time.
Case Studies
Here you will find an overview of some projects with a description of the insights and benefits gained from them. These case studies often explain one of the prerequisites for maintaining the competitiveness of German industry and thus also for securing jobs.
- The OPC Router increases the level of digitalization at the Zimmer Group
- Industrial software enables real-time communication
- Chemical company automates filling process
- Film specialist takes next step
- STIHL increases overall automation effectiveness
- Industry 4.0 in SMEs: software makes it possible
- X-Rite relies on the OPC Router
- HERMA automates manufacturing processes with inray
- Dairy company: Networked milk tanker management
- Efficient labeling: Industry 4.0 makes it possible
- Success Story OPC Router at AURIA Solutions GmbH
- Industry 4.0 via Drag & Drop with OPC Router at MAN
- The OPC Router as the heart of data transfer at corratec
- The OPC Router is indispensable for Bayer Bitterfeld
- ZewaTec Automation implements Industry 4.0 at Hywax with the OPC Router
Video tutorials
Here you find an overview of our tutorial videos, which can be helpful for the practical implementation of your projects.
- Easy transfer of OPC Data to SAP
- Creating Telegram Bots
- Easy transfer of OPC data into CSV format
- Easy transfer of CSV files into a database
- Video tutorial for the OPC UA Server Plug-in
- Video tutorial for the REST Plug-in
- Easy printing with the Windows Printer Plug-in
- That’s how easy it is to print with the Domino Printer Plug-in
- Networking Systems with the MQTT Client Plug-in
- Request OPC Router Tutorials on demand and for free
Application examples
Digitalization has permanently changed industrial environments and Industry 4.0 is already being lived in practice in many cases. Here we have listed some use cases as examples that create comprehensible benefits within the framework of reasonable guidelines and principles.