OLE Process Control or OPC is a standard developed by Microsoft for communicating to numerous data sources, either devices on the factory floor, or a database in a control room. In the past various ‘drivers’ have been created for businesses that require data from a specific data source, today many companies all over the world use OPC as a standard for their field, process and business management.

From simulation to reality and back

By constantly providing information of the world reality, OPC acts as the link between simulation and reality in Enterprise Dynamics®. This allows simulation studies to become highly accurate. From reality in Singapore to simulation in New York, the networking capabilities of OPC make it possible to simulate situations all over the world.

Simulation -> OPC -> Reality With the advent of ‘smart’ field devices, a wealth of information can be provided concerning field devices that was previously not available. This information provides data on the health of a device, its configuration parameters, materials of construction, etc. The Enterprise Dynamics® OPC add-on gives two-way access to all this data in a simple and manageable way.

Reality -> OPC -> Simulation Not only does reality affect simulation, via OPC simulation may directly affect reality. With the OPC addon for Enterprise Dynamics® results of overnight simulation studies could be transferred back to device controllers for extra intelligence. Simulation learns from reality and reality learns from simulation with the Enterprise Dynamics® add-on.