Global OPC Server Software Market Size, Share, & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Server Type (OPC Data Access (DA) Servers, OPC Historical Data Access (HAD) Servers, OPC Alarms and Events (A&E) Servers, and OPC United Architecture (UA) Servers), By Function (Data Transportation, Process and Quality Control, Device Diagnostics, Condition Monitoring, and Others), By End-user (Healthcare, Food and Beverages, Automotive, Oil and Gas, Power and Energy, Manufacturing, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Open Platform Communications (OPC) server software is a specialized industrial automation and control systems application. It facilitates communication and data exchange between devices, applications, and software platforms in a manufacturing or process control environment. The main purpose of OPC server software is to enable interoperability between diverse devices and systems, allowing them to share data seamlessly. The OPC server acts as a bridge between various industrial devices and the applications that need access to their data. It follows the OPC standard, which defines a set of specifications and protocols to ensure uniformity and consistency in data exchange. The key functions of OPC server software include data transportation, process and quality control, device diagnostics, condition monitoring, and asset management. In addition, the increasing adoption of industrial automation across various sectors, including manufacturing, oil and gas, power generation, and pharmaceuticals, created a growing demand for OPC server software. For instance,

• As per Eagle Technologies, industrial automation will increase worldwide productivity by 0.8% to 1.4% yearly. As industries automated their processes, the need for seamless communication and data exchange between devices and systems drove the market.

Thus, OPC server software plays a vital role in enhancing the connectivity and interoperability of industrial automation systems, making it easier to manage and control complex processes in various industries.

Impact of COVID-19 on the OPC Server Software Market

The COVID-19 pandemic had a notable impact on the OPC server software market, a critical component of the industrial automation and control industry. Various industries faced unprecedented challenges due to widespread lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainties. As a result, many industrial projects were put on hold or delayed, decreasing the immediate demand for OPC server software.

However, the pandemic highlighted the importance of digital transformation and remote operations for business continuity. Some industries accelerated their adoption of automation and remote monitoring solutions, leasing to an increased demand for OPC server software that supports seamless data exchange and remote access. On the other hand, budget constraints caused by economic challenges impacted investment decisions, affecting the pace of adoption in some sectors. Further, the market is expected to gain momentum in the post-pandemic.

Segmentation

Analysis By Server Type

The OPC server software market is segmented into OPC Data Access (DA) servers, OPC Historical Data Access (HAD) servers, OPC Alarms and Events (A&E) servers, and OPC United Architecture (UA) servers. The OPC Data Access (DA) servers hold the dominant share as they facilitate real-time data exchange between OPC-compliant devices, such as sensors, PLCs, and other industrial equipment, and OPC clients, which are software applications that require access to the data for monitoring, control, or analysis purposes.

Key Insights

The report will cover the following key insights:

• Micro Macro Economic Indicators


• Drivers, Restraints, Trends, and Opportunities


• Business Strategies Adopted by the Key Players


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Global OPC Server Software Market


• Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players

Regional Analysis

The global OPC server software market is distributed into five regions: North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific. North America holds a dominant market share in the global OPC server market due to its early adoption of advanced machine-to-machine solutions and technologies such as IOT-driven devices. Additionally, the region benefits from significant industrial firms and wireless connectivity, making OPC server solutions cost-effective, accessible, and seamless. North America dominated the market in 2022 and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period, owing to the presence of players offering advanced solutions and making substantial investments in services such as payroll administration, managed marketing, and analytics.

Asia Pacific is projected to experience the highest compound annual growth rate during the forecast period. The growth is driven by the expansion of infrastructure facilities and the increasing number of internet users in the region. For instance, according to industry specialists, the number of internet users in 2022 reached 2.6 billion in the region.

Asia Pacific’s growing demand for enhanced manufacturing technologies and automation software, coupled with potential government investments in business development in countries such as China, Singapore, India, and Japan, presents opportunities for the market.

The distribution of the global OPC server software market by region of origin is as follows:

• North America – 32%


• South America – 7%


• Europe – 24%


• Middle East and Africa – 12%


• Asia Pacific – 25%

Key Players Covered

The key players in this market include Prosys OPC Ltd, Emerson Electric Co., ProSoft Technology, Inc., ICONICS, Inc., PTC, Takebishi FAWEB, Siemens, Softing Industrial Automation, OMRON Corporation, ABB, Yokogawa Electric Corporation, FANUC Corporation, Advantech Co., Ltd, Moxa Inc., and others.

Key Industry Developments

• July 2022 - ICONICS launched the 6.3.0 version of the Takebishi DeviceXplorer OPC Server. This advanced OPC server software set offers seamless connectivity with control devices in factory automation, manufacturing, and operations surroundings. It facilitates communication with equipment such as machine tools, PLCs, and robots, enabling data exchange via multiple network technologies and bridging the data to different applications.


• May 2022 - Prosys OPC Ltd released 5.2.2, a version of Prosys OPC UA Simulation Server, which allows setting a persistent value to standard enumerations and structures. The update enhances NodeSet import support, particularly for Siemens S7 PLC information models, ensuring better fault tolerance. The version includes security enhancements, bug fixes, and improved model import support for various scenarios.