OPC is designed to deliver open connectivity via open
standards in industrial automation and the
enterprise systems, and is based on a series of standards specifications.
Originally based on Microsoft's
OLE COM (component object model) and
DCOM
(distributed component object model) technologies, the specification defined a
standard set of objects, interfaces and methods for use in process control and
manufacturing automation applications to facilitate interoperability. OPC is
supported by the OPC Foundation.