RTA's Blog
OPC UA For Moving Factory Floor Data
May
What’s the best way to move factory floor data to Enterprise and Cloud applications? The debate is endless. Some people prefer MQTT. Others prefer OPC UA. Does it really matter?
I was thoroughly involved in these types of debates for a number of years (PROFINET and EtherNet/IP, for example). I said that MQTT would never make it. It wasn’t as bad as Robert Metcalfe (founder of 3COM) predicting a catastrophic 1996 collapse, but it embarrassed me.
I’ve learned since then that there is a place for MQTT and OPC UA. MQTT is very good for quick and simple applications. It’s the aspirin of factory floor messaging protocols. You can use it for just about everything. OPC UA, on the other hand, is for meeting more difficult application requirements. Just like an antibiotic, it focuses a lot of power on difficult tasks.
That’s why we support both in the new factory floor Allen-Bradley PLC Historian. We let users pick. If they need a quick, simple interface to move some data collected by the Historian, they can use MQTT and send a few variables in JSON format. However, they can use OPC UA if they have a sophisticated application and need to send data to a complex platform that needs to consume it in specialized ways.
OPC UA can get you better results. It can connect the factory floor to the cloud. It’s a powerful tool for data exchange. It offers many advantages:
- Seamless Data Flow – It transfers data easily between machines and systems, ensuring real-time access to vital information.
- Enhanced Security – It protects sensitive data with strong encryption and reduces the risk of data breaches and leaks.
- Interoperability – It works with various devices and platforms, allowing different systems to easily communicate.
- Scalability – It can grow with the needs of your business.
- Standardization – Its companion specifications provide specifications for many different industries.
- Future-Proofing – OPC UA enables you to keep up with technological advancements and ensure the long-term viability of your applications.
When it comes to MQTT and OPC UA, you will never go wrong with OPC UA. It streamlines processes and enhances efficiency. This technology is crucial for modern businesses. Embrace it to stay ahead in this fast-changing world.
