PiBridge
OPC communication bridge software. PiBridge is a dual OPC client bridge connecting two OPC servers across different networks, protocols, or sites — transparent data exchange without proprietary middleware. OPC-DA and OPC-UA compatible.
OPC Communication
OPC Communication Software for Bridging and Testing OPC Servers Across Your Plant
OPC communication software
PiControl's OPC Communication Software
Three products, three sides of the same job: connecting real OPC servers together, testing OPC clients before they ever touch one, and transferring lab data securely into the control system.
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PiOPCServer
Simulation OPC server with an embedded real-time PID control loop. PiOPCServer generates test data and validates OPC client connectivity for development, integration testing, and software demonstrations.
PiLims
Laboratory information management system with a built-in OPC client for secure lab-to-DCS/PLC data transfer. Where direct data entry into the DCS or PLC isn't feasible for security or policy reasons, PiLims lets lab and process engineers enter data on a Windows server-based computer and transfer it securely into the control system.
Overview
What OPC Communication Software Is
In the process industries, the exchange of data between systems and servers is the lifeblood of efficiency and operational excellence. OPC communication software is the layer that makes that exchange possible between OPC servers that don't natively agree on protocol, tag structure, or configuration, and between control systems and the lab data that feeds them. PiControl addresses three sides of the job: PiBridge bridges two live OPC servers so data transfers seamlessly between them, PiOPCServer simulates an OPC server so OPC clients can be built and validated before ever touching a live system, and PiLims moves lab data securely into the DCS or PLC over its own built-in OPC client.
As the process industry continues to embrace OPC, it encounters a unique set of challenges when connecting different OPC servers. These challenges come from the distinct characteristics of each server, such as communication protocols, data structures, and configuration complexities, and they routinely hinder efficient information sharing and collaborative operations. Left unresolved, these disparities block the seamless transfer of data between OPC servers that OPC was meant to enable.
Challenges solved
Three Challenges OPC Communication Software Solves
Connecting different OPC servers runs into the same three obstacles again and again. PiBridge is built to resolve each one directly.
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01
Data Interoperability
The lack of data interoperability between different OPC servers is a significant hurdle. PiBridge serves as a translator, seamlessly bridging the differences in communication protocols and data structures, so data from one OPC server transfers effectively to another.
Why it matters
Two standards-compliant OPC servers can still fail to exchange data cleanly — resolving that gap is what makes bridging possible at all.
02
Streamlined Configuration
PiBridge simplifies setting up and configuring data transfer processes between distinct OPC servers with an intuitive, user-friendly configuration interface. Users select input and output OPC servers, set data transfer frequencies, and choose specific tags to transfer.
Why it matters
Cuts the time and effort needed to address integration challenges from a scripting project down to a configuration task.
03
Scalability
The need to configure numerous tags can be another challenge. PiBridge allows for the configuration of a significant number of tags, ensuring scalability and empowering users to manage large volumes of data efficiently.
Why it matters
Handles everything from a handful of critical loops to thousands of process variables, without a redesign as data volumes grow.
The result
PiBridge ensures that data flows seamlessly between two OPC servers, fostering efficiency, collaboration, and safety across the plant.
Before it goes live, PiOPCServer lets teams validate the OPC client against realistic, dynamic data — no physical control hardware or plant connection required.
Benefits
Benefits of PiControl's OPC Communication Software
Bridging and testing OPC data cleanly pays off in integration cost, data quality, and how safely new connections get deployed.
Product: PiBridge · Protocol translation
Seamless data interoperability
PiBridge translates the differences in communication protocol and data structure between two OPC servers, so data moves cleanly regardless of vendor or generation.
- Bridges OPC-DA and OPC-UA servers on either side of the connection
- Resolves tag-structure and addressing disparities automatically
- Works across networks, sites, and control-system vendors
Why it works: a dedicated dual OPC client, not a general-purpose scripting layer. Delivered by PiBridge.
Product: PiBridge · Configuration interface
Faster, cheaper integration
The intuitive configuration interface turns a custom integration project into a task a controls engineer can complete directly.
- Select input/output OPC servers, transfer frequency, and tags directly
- No integration scripts or custom drivers to write or maintain
- Re-scoping a new server or tag list is a config change, not a new project
Why it works: purpose-built configuration replaces a general-purpose scripting or middleware project.
Product: PiBridge · Tag scalability
Handles plant-wide scale
PiBridge supports configuration of a significant number of tags, so bridging a handful of critical loops or thousands of process variables uses the same underlying setup.
- No redesign needed as tag counts grow over time
- Consolidates data from multiple sites or systems into one source
- Same setup scales from a pilot bridge to plant-wide deployment
Why it works: tag scalability is designed in from the start, not bolted on later.
Products: PiBridge, PiOPCServer · OPC-DA and OPC-UA
Protects legacy investment
Both PiBridge and PiOPCServer are compatible with OPC-DA and OPC-UA, so an existing OPC-DA historian keeps working while newer OPC-UA systems come online.
- Bridges a legacy OPC-DA historian to a newer OPC-UA server
- Connects two OPC-UA servers on separate networks just as easily
- No forced migration timeline to keep systems talking to each other
Why it works: supporting both standards means a plant migrates on its own schedule, not the software's.
Product: PiOPCServer · Simulated OPC data
Safe pre-deployment testing
PiOPCServer runs a real-time PID loop internally and publishes it through a standards-compliant OPC-DA and OPC-UA server, so an OPC client can be built and validated before it ever touches a live plant.
- No physical control hardware or plant connection required
- Dynamic loop behavior, not scripted or canned test data
- Validates the client before a PiBridge deployment goes live
Why it works: realistic OPC data without the risk of testing against a live system. Delivered by PiOPCServer.
Product: PiBridge · Direct connection
No proprietary middleware
PiBridge connects OPC servers directly, without a separate middleware layer to license, patch, and maintain over the life of the connection.
- Fewer moving parts to support across the connection's lifetime
- Runs on standard Windows hardware, no special appliance
- Lower total cost of ownership than a custom middleware build
Why it works: one dedicated bridge instead of a general-purpose integration layer. Delivered by PiBridge.
Product: PiLims · Built-in OPC client
Secure lab-to-DCS data transfer
PiLims uses its own built-in OPC client to move lab data securely into the DCS or PLC, for plants where direct data entry into the control system isn't feasible.
- Keeps lab data entry off the DCS/PLC where policy requires it
- Transfers securely from a Windows server-based computer
- Keeps data accurate on both the lab and control-system side
Why it works: security policies that block direct DCS/PLC data entry no longer stand between lab results and the control system. Delivered by PiLims.
Why it works
Three products, one OPC communication layer
02
PiOPCServer & PiLims
Let teams build and validate an OPC client safely before bridging a live system, and move lab data securely into the DCS or PLC.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About OPC Communication Software
OPC communication software connects, bridges, and tests OPC-DA and OPC-UA data sources across a plant. PiControl's OPC Communication lineup covers three sides of that job: PiBridge bridges two live OPC servers together, PiOPCServer simulates an OPC server so OPC clients can be built and tested before going live, and PiLims transfers lab data securely into the DCS or PLC over its own built-in OPC client.
PiBridge is a production dual OPC client that connects two real OPC servers so data flows between them. PiOPCServer is a simulation OPC server with an embedded real-time PID loop, used to generate test data and validate an OPC client before a PiBridge deployment goes live.
OPC standardizes the interface, but different vendors, generations, and sites still carry disparities in communication protocol, tag structure, and addressing. Those disparities block direct data interoperability, which is the gap PiBridge is built to bridge.
Yes. Both products are compatible with OPC-DA and OPC-UA, so a legacy OPC-DA historian can be bridged to a newer OPC-UA server, or tested against simulated OPC-UA data, without proprietary middleware.
PiBridge is built for scale — it supports configuration of a large number of tags, so plants can bridge everything from a handful of critical loops to thousands of process variables without a redesign.
Some plants restrict direct data entry into the DCS or PLC for security or policy reasons. PiLims lets lab and process staff enter data on a Windows server-based computer and transfer it securely into the DCS or PLC over its own built-in OPC client, keeping data accurate and the underlying control system protected.
Request a free demo. A PiControl engineer will review which OPC servers need to be connected or tested, or which lab data needs to move into your DCS or PLC, and recommend whether PiBridge, PiOPCServer, PiLims, or a combination fits the project.
PiBridge is deployed across industrial plants worldwide to bridge OPC-DA and OPC-UA servers spanning different vendors, networks, and sites, and it underpins data feeds for PiControl's own monitoring and optimization software. PiOPCServer validates the OPC clients that connect to it, before those connections ever go live, and PiLims moves lab data securely into the DCS or PLC wherever direct entry isn't feasible.
Get started
Request an OPC Communication Demo
A PiControl engineer will demonstrate PiBridge, PiOPCServer, and PiLims against OPC servers and lab workflows relevant to your plant, and map out how to bridge, consolidate, test, or transfer your OPC data.