How to Log OPC Data in SQL Databases

4,330

Managing industrial automation data efficiently is critical for operational excellence. If you’re looking to collect, store, and analyze OPC data from multiple servers into SQL databases, this comprehensive guide will show you how OPC Easy Archiver streamlines the entire process.

What is OPC Data Logging and Why Does It Matter?

OPC (Open Platform Communications) data logging is the process of continuously capturing real-time process data, historical records, and alarm events from industrial automation systems and storing them in databases for analysis, compliance, and decision-making.

Key benefits of OPC data logging include:

Operational insights – Identify trends, optimize processes, and improve efficiency
Regulatory compliance – Maintain audit trails for FDA, ISO, and industry regulations
Predictive maintenance – Analyze historical data to prevent equipment failures
Data-driven decisions – Access comprehensive reports for business intelligence
Cost reduction – Minimize downtime through proactive monitoring

Introducing OPC Easy Archiver: Your Complete Data Historization Solution

OPC Easy Archiver is an industrial-grade data historian that collects real-time data, historical data, and alarms & events messages from multiple OPC DA, OPC HDA, and OPC AE servers simultaneously. It then archives this data into SQL-like databases (MS SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Azure SQL) or CSV files.

Why Choose OPC Easy Archiver?

Unlike basic data loggers, OPC Easy Archiver provides enterprise-level features designed for mission-critical industrial environments.

Core Features and Capabilities

Universal OPC Connectivity

Browse and discover all local or remote OPC DA, HDA, and AE servers available within your network
Simultaneous connections to multiple OPC servers across different locations
Protocol support for OPC Data Access (real-time), OPC Historical Data Access (historical), and OPC Alarms & Events

Flexible Database Support

Store your industrial data in the database platform that fits your IT infrastructure:

Microsoft SQL Server
Oracle Database
MySQL
PostgreSQL
Azure SQL Database
Microsoft Access
CSV flat files
Any OLEDB/ODBC-compatible database

Store and Forward Technology

Never lose critical data due to network interruptions:

Automatic buffering of OPC data during database connection loss
Data recovery and synchronization after successful reconnection
Queue management ensures data integrity and completeness

Automatic Reconnection

Maintain continuous data flow with intelligent reconnection:

Auto-reconnect to OPC servers after network glitches
Auto-reconnect to database servers after connection failures
Minimal manual intervention required

Bidirectional Data Transfer

Not just logging – enable full data integration:

Transfer data from databases to OPC DA servers
Enable integration between business systems and control systems
Support real-time data synchronization workflows

Advanced Rule Management

Create intelligent automation rules to:

Monitor critical tags and trigger actions
Send email notifications when specific conditions occur
Overwrite data values based on business logic
Start or stop archivers automatically
Schedule actions based on time or events

Windows Service Capability

Run OPC Easy Archiver as a background Windows service for:

Automatic startup with system boot
Continuous operation without user login
Enhanced reliability and uptime
Centralized management and monitoring

Comparison: OPC Easy Archiver vs. Traditional Historians

Feature	OPC Easy Archiver	Traditional Historians
Multi-database support	Yes	Limited
Store and Forward	Yes	Sometimes
Bidirectional data transfer	Yes	No
Rule management	Advanced	Basic
Cost	Cost-effective	Expensive
Easy configuration	User-friendly	Complex