Blogs

What’s New in OPC Connectivity Studio 2026.1: Advancing .NET Development and OPC UA Security

cbrohman@softwaretoolbox.com (Caleb Brohman) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:30:00 GMT

OPC Connectivity Studio is built for .NET developers creating industrial connectivity applications—whether building OPC UA servers, integrating PLCs with SCADA systems, or bridging OT data to the cloud. The latest release of Software Toolbox’s OPC Connectivity Studio 2026.1 (v5.84) continues to push forward in two areas that matter most to modern industrial developers: keeping pace with the evolving Microsoft ecosystem and strengthening security in OPC UA applications.

Connect RESTful Web Services to Databases, OPC UA / DA & More Systems

kpersyn@softwaretoolbox.com (Kyle Persyn) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:09:05 GMT

Accessing various industrial data via RESTful web services has become increasingly necessary over the past decade. From devices with self-hosted web services to relevant market data such as weather information and pricing for commodities and energy, there is a host of relevant data to be integrated from such web services.

In this video, we will cover step-by-step how to easily connect to RESTful web services and perform reads and writes, as well as, logging data to and reading data from a database or connecting that data to other systems such as OPC UA - all with the OPC Router.

The State of AI in Manufacturing Q1-Q2 2026

Andres Naranjo — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:14:58 GMT

On June 2nd I addressed an audience of manufacturing leaders at the "AI and Data Transformation in manufacturing forum, organized by AMG World.

The Excel vs. SQL Debate: Which One Wins on the Plant Floor?

kpersyn@softwaretoolbox.com (Kyle Persyn) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

In manufacturing, data is everywhere. Operators need logs, managers need reports, and IT needs secure, reliable storage. But where should all that plant data live? For decades, two contenders have stepped into the spotlight: CSV (Comma-Separated Values) and Excel, the everyday formats everyone knows, and SQL (Structured Query Language), the structured powerhouse built for scale. Both play critical roles, yet they approach the problem of data management from very different angles.

OPC Data Logger End-of-Life: Explaining the OPC Router Migration Path

kpersyn@softwaretoolbox.com (Kyle Persyn) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:00:04 GMT

With Software Toolbox's OPC Data Logger reaching end-of-life, many users are planning their migration to OPC Router as the recommended successor platform.

Using Stored Procedures in OPC Router

kpersyn@softwaretoolbox.com (Kyle Persyn) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Imagine a PLC on your production line signals that it needs to be replenished. Within seconds, OPC Router detects the trigger and calls a stored procedure in your SQL database. It automatically locates the nearest available stock and flags it as requested, with no manual intervention. In modern industrial environments, the ability to move data efficiently and securely between systems is critical. Whether it's sending production data from a PLC to a SQL database or retrieving recipe parameters for a manufacturing line, the need for flexible and reliable data transport is growing fast, especially as IT and OT systems become more connected.

Logging Data to CSV and Excel with OPC Router

kpersyn@softwaretoolbox.com (Kyle Persyn) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Your shift supervisor needs a daily CSV of tank pressures and there's no historian in the budget. Your QA team wants an Excel log of batch temperatures — without involving IT. In many industrial environments, real-time dashboards and high-end analytics platforms get all the attention, but sometimes the most practical solution is also the simplest: a clean, structured file that anyone can open. That's where Software Toolbox's OPC Router comes in, providing a straightforward way to log process data directly to CSV or Excel files.

TOP Server 7.1: Security, Stability, and Smarter Diagnostics

rroyse@softwaretoolbox.com (Ryan Royse) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:00:01 GMT

TOP Server 7.1 is now available, bringing important updates focused on security, reliability, diagnostics, and easier administration. This release continues to build on TOP Server V7 with enhancements that help users maintain secure, dependable, and easier-to-support industrial connectivity systems.

What OPCEnum Is, Why It Breaks, And How To Move Beyond OPC DA DCOM Issues

cmason@softwaretoolbox.com (Connor Mason) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:40:28 GMT

DCOM configuration failures and OPCEnum service breakdowns continue to create unexpected downtime in industrial systems. While OPC DA has been a reliable standard for decades, its dependence on Microsoft COM/DCOM introduces complexity that is increasingly difficult to maintain in modern, secure environments.

Understanding the role of OPCEnum, and its limitations, is key to both troubleshooting current issues and planning a path forward.

N3uron and Software Toolbox Join Forces to Accelerate Industrial DataOps Adoption Across the United States

jgonzalez@softwaretoolbox.com (John Gonzalez) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:52:40 GMT

N3uron Connectivity Systems, developer of the leading Industrial Edge Platform for DataOps, N3uron, announced that Software Toolbox has become an Authorized Distributor of the N3uron platform for the United States. This agreement expands N3uron's presence in the US market, giving industrial organizations direct access to its DataOps and IIoT software through one of the country's most trusted names in industrial automation and connectivity.