Editing OPC Foundation (section)

== 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]