OPC515

OPC515: Industrial OPC Software for Communication and Control - Hands-On

Course Description and Objectives:

This course is an advanced course and continues the OPC500 course. The OPC500 is a must prerequisite for this course.

This course OPC515 is very hands-on. You install various real OPC servers and real OPC clients. You run the OPC servers and OPC clients in full real-time mode. You will witness real-time data transfer and two-ways data communications.

You will get complete real industrial hands-on experience since you are installing and configuring real industrial grade software products.

OPC-related software includes the following:

PiBridge is a dual OPC client capable of connecting to two OPC servers.
PiLogger is a fast data monitoring, trending and logging OPC client.
PiConect is an OPC client connecting to MS Excel, collecting real-time data.

You will not only see these products during the online session but you will install these products yourself on your own computer for training, learning and hands-on practice. The experience is full industrial grade and the same principles you learn will be applicable in a real industrial plant environment.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, you will be able to install, configure and activate real industrial grade OPC servers and clients. You will be familiar with both COM and DCOM configuration. You will be configuring both COM and DCOM on your own computer(s).

You will understand how to connect two different devices or OPC clients together. You will install and activate both fast data logging and historizing OPC client. You could use the concepts for connecting online analyzers to any DCS/PLC using OPC. You could connect online vibration monitoring sensors to another device. The number of applications and opportunities are diverse and wide-spectrum.

With this knowledge, you will be able to select the right OPC tools (servers and clients) for any industrial application. The following topics are covered in this course:

PiBridge OPC Client Connector Connecting different OPC servers together
PiConect Human-to-Excel/DCS Interface
Building powerful custom process applications using OPC
Converting any Excel spreadsheet from office/control room and make it online using OPC
Online Analyzer Signals in Chemical Processes
Fast Data Monitoring for Debugging Process Problems and Equipment Shutdowns
OPC Product PiLogger for Fast Data Monitoring
Expert-System Rule-Based Advisory using OPC
Additional Industrial Applications using OPC
Online process optimization using OPC Fieldbus, Ethernet, OPC comparisons
Practical industrial communications case studies

Course Description

OPC515 Question & Answers

What is the OPC515 course about?

OPC515 is an advanced course focused on real-world applications of OPC technology. Participants will install and configure real OPC servers and clients, gaining hands-on experience in industrial communication and control systems.

What are the prerequisites for the OPC515 course?

The OPC515 course is a continuation of the OPC500 course, which is a mandatory prerequisite for anyone interested in attending OPC515.

What hands-on training will I receive in the OPC515 course?

You'll install real OPC servers and clients, including PiBridge, PiLogger, and PiConect, and configure them for real-time communication. This training provides direct exposure to industrial-grade software products used in control systems.

Which software tools are used in the OPC515 course?

The course covers PiBridge (dual OPC client), PiLogger (fast data monitoring OPC client), and PiConect (OPC client connecting to MS Excel), among other industrial-grade OPC tools.

How does OPC515 help with industrial communication?

The course teaches you to set up and configure real OPC clients and servers for seamless data exchange between devices in industrial environments, including vibration sensors, online analyzers, and DCS/PLC systems.

Will I learn how to use OPC for real-time data logging?

Yes, the OPC515 course includes training on PiLogger, an OPC client designed for fast data monitoring, trending, and logging in real-time.

Can I integrate Excel with OPC servers through this training?

Absolutely! You'll learn how to use PiConect to interface between OPC clients and MS Excel, allowing for real-time data collection and monitoring directly within Excel.

How will this course benefit my work in an industrial plant?

OPC515 will give you the skills to configure and activate OPC servers and clients, providing the ability to connect devices and monitor data in real-time, which is directly applicable to optimizing industrial plant operations.

What are COM and DCOM configurations in OPC?

The course will teach you both COM and DCOM configurations, which are essential for establishing OPC communication between devices and software in a networked environment.

What is PiBridge, and how is it used in OPC515?

PiBridge is an OPC client that connects two different OPC servers, enabling communication between devices from various manufacturers, a key component taught in the OPC515 course.

How does OPC help in troubleshooting and debugging industrial systems?

By using OPC tools like PiLogger, you’ll be able to monitor fast data and identify issues in processes or equipment shutdowns, making it easier to troubleshoot and maintain smooth operations.

What are some real-world applications of OPC technology?

OPC can be used in diverse applications such as connecting vibration sensors to other devices, integrating online analyzers with DCS/PLC systems, and optimizing process operations using OPC-enabled tools.

Can OPC515 help with online process optimization?

Yes, the course covers online process optimization using OPC, enabling you to implement optimization strategies in industrial environments such as Fieldbus and Ethernet systems.

Will I be able to select the right OPC tools for my application?

By the end of the course, you will be equipped to choose the appropriate OPC servers and clients for a wide range of industrial applications, improving the efficiency of your operations.

What career opportunities are available with OPC certification from OPC515?

With OPC515 certification, you'll be qualified to work as an OPC specialist, process control engineer, or industrial automation professional, capable of applying OPC technology in diverse industries.

How does OPC515 complement SCADA and historian projects?

It teaches you how to bridge OPC servers with SCADA systems and data historians, enabling scalable real-time data architecture across departments.

Can I use the OPC515 training to support digital transformation projects?

Yes. The course supports Industry 4.0 and IIoT initiatives, enabling data exchange across OT/IT layers and integration with digital twins or AI systems.

Does the course address security considerations for OPC networks?

Yes. You'll learn to work with secure COM/DCOM configurations and understand the role of firewalls, tunneling, and OPC UA for secure data exchange.

Can I use OPC515 concepts to streamline lab-to-process workflows?

Absolutely. Using PiLIMS, the course demonstrates how to connect lab data (LIMS) with live process signals, reducing delays and improving compliance.

Will I receive documentation or templates I can reuse in my plant?

Yes. The course provides preconfigured templates, diagnostics checklists, and Excel examples to speed up deployment and reduce configuration time on-site.

How does OPC515 reduce troubleshooting time during shutdowns or alarms?

By using PiLogger and PiBridge, engineers can rapidly trace signal issues or data bottlenecks, allowing faster diagnosis and system recovery.

Can OPC515 be delivered as a customized corporate workshop?

Yes. PiControl offers on-site or virtual group sessions tailored to your specific control systems, data architecture, and industry workflows.