Many assume a complex historian system is required when it comes to storing and working with real-time or historical OPC data. But what if you could write data straight into a standard SQL database—no extra software, no proprietary format? That’s precisely what Archive OPC Data in SQL lets you do.
Let’s walk through how it works and how it can simplify your workflow using familiar database tools.
Store OPC Data Where You Want It
Instead of locking your data into a proprietary historian, Archive OPC Data in SQL writes directly to your preferred database:
- Microsoft SQL Server
- MySQL
- SQLite
- Cloud-hosted databases (like Azure SQL)
This method supports running a local SCADA system or pushing data to the cloud, all using standard SQL connections.
Above, you can see how easy it is to configure an SQL connection. Choose your server, database, and table structure—no coding required.
Choose How Your Data is Structured
Flexibility is key. Depending on your application, you can:
- Write all items into a single table
- Create separate tables per OPC server, group, or item
This gives you control over how your data is organized, which is excellent for keeping things clean and query-friendly.
Capture Real-Time and Historical Data
You decide how data gets logged:
- By Exception: Log only when a value changes (reduces noise)
- Polled: Log at regular intervals for continuous monitoring
From here, you can configure when data is captured and how it’s timestamped, including options for local time, UTC, and even timestamp precision (seconds to nanoseconds).
Get Started in Seconds
Right-click any OPC item or group in your server tree and select Archive.
That’s it. You’re on your way to capturing real-time data in a standard SQL environment, so no historian is needed.
Use Familiar Tools to Analyze OPC Data
Once the data is in SQL, use:
- Excel or Power BI for trending and reports
- Custom queries for advanced troubleshooting
- Integration into MES or ERP systems
Because the data is in a standard relational format, your team can use tools they already know—there is no special training or vendor lock-in.
Why It Matters
This approach is ideal for:
- Automation engineers who want quick access to raw data
- System integrators building custom dashboards
- Maintenance teams monitor equipment trends over time
You get total control of your data with no unnecessary complexity or costs.
Archiving OPC data directly to SQL bridges the gap between live process data and long-term analysis. Whether you’re tracking batch runs, monitoring energy use, or feeding an analytics pipeline, it’s a straightforward, cost-effective approach.