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The new functionality allows any data source — from PLCs and CNC controllers to Modbus sensors and MQTT data — to be integrated into a standardized OPC UA Address Space. The data is processed and presented in a consistent structure within the OPC UA server, regardless of its original format or communication protocol.

“Our goal is to drastically reduce the complexity of industrial data integration,” says Andreas Röck, Product Manager at Softing Industrial. “With the standardized OPC UA Address Space, we enable consistent, interoperable data access across all levels — from the shop floor to the cloud.”

Versatile Applications, Standardized Models

The solution is based on support for OPC UA Companion Specifications. Softing Industrial has already successfully tested over 60 of these standardized information models—out of more than 100 available—for use in industrial applications. These include, for example, the Process Automation Device Information Model (PA-DIM) for the process industry and the Weihenstephan standard for the food and beverage industry. Custom models can also be integrated.

Multiple Products – One Common Strength

Support for the standardized OPC UA Address Space is available in the following Softing products:

• Secure Integration Server (SIS) 1.40 – Central middleware for secure, controlled aggregation of distributed data sources — ideal for complex IT/OT architectures.
• edgeAggregator 2025.02 – High-performance gateway for combining multiple OPC UA data sources into a consolidated server structure with multiple endpoints.
• edgeConnector 2025.02 – Lightweight, container-based solution for direct access to controllers (e.g., Siemens, Modbus) and integration into OPC UA environments.
• edgeGate (no version change) – Compact edge gateway for quick integration of machine and controller data using industrial standard protocols, without complex installation.

Together, these products enable seamless, standardized data integration across diverse industrial interfaces. They create a unified data foundation for MES, SCADA, cloud, and IIoT applications — independent of protocol or vendor.

Benefits of standardized OPC UA Address Space for Industry 4.0 and IIoT Projects

• Unified data structures for MES, SCADA, and cloud systems
• Reduced engineering effort by eliminating custom interfaces
• Improved data quality and contextualization for analytics and AI
• High flexibility through mapping different information models
• Compatible with leading platforms such as AWS and Azure

Renowned customers in the pharmaceutical, automotive, food & beverage industries are already using this functionality successfully, with tangible benefits for transparency, efficiency, and standardization in their digitalization initiatives.

More information: industrial.softing.com