OPC NEXUS│An OPC Server Comparison Guide for Manufacturing SIs » How to Choose an OPC Server » Kepware Server vs Matrikon OPC Products
Kepware Server vs Matrikon OPC Products
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This article compares Kepware Server, which makes it easier to manage a wide range of equipment connections on a single platform, with Matrikon OPC Products, a product lineup that provides OPC-related drivers for a wide range of DCS and existing industrial systems.
1. Comparing Licensing and Cost Structure
| Comparison Item | Kepware Server | Matrikon OPC Products |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing model | Easy to implement by combining features and drivers | Easy to select the products you need individually |
| Initial cost structure | Easy to configure multiple connections together | Easy to implement for a specific use case |
| Cost predictability during expansion | Easier cost planning for projects where connection targets may increase | Easy to expand within a targeted scope for limited additions |
| Best-fit project scale | Suited to mid-to-large projects with many types of equipment in the mix | Suited to large-scale facilities in process industries such as oil and gas |
The table above summarizes points where costs can vary. Because it is difficult to make a simple comparison based only on publicly available prices, request a quote that includes additional drivers, multi-site deployment, and maintenance renewal terms while considering your future connection scope.
2. Comparing Support for Mixed Environments
| Comparison Item | Kepware Server | Matrikon OPC Products |
|---|---|---|
| Connection range | Easy to handle a wide range of equipment connections on one platform | Often strong in OPC-focused connection and bridging scenarios |
| Ease of management in mixed environments | Easy to consolidate and standardize settings | Easy to migrate in phases while making use of existing assets |
| OPC UA / OPC Classic bridging | Easy to use broadly as a general-purpose connectivity platform | Includes products with strengths in bridging |
| Fit with specific vendor assets | Easy to expand connection options to Japanese and global PLCs and controllers | Easy to align with Honeywell-family assets |
Kepware Server makes it easier to handle diverse protocols and drivers on a single platform, making it suitable for standardizing lines with mixed equipment.
Matrikon offers OPC-related drivers for a wide range of DCS and existing industrial systems, as well as products such as OPC UA Tunneller for bridging between OPC UA and OPC Classic. This makes it easier to consider a phased migration structure that makes use of existing assets.
3. Comparing Ease of Running a PoC and Implementation Speed
| Comparison Item | Kepware Server | Matrikon OPC Products |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial availability | A full-featured demo is available for free trial*1 | Trials or validation tools are available depending on the product*2 |
| Ease of starting validation | Clear entry point for testing connections to actual equipment | Easy to choose validation methods by use case |
| Validation environment | Easy to test initial connections and settings with the demo | Can validate without connecting to production equipment |
| Implementation speed approach | Suited to projects that need a quick go/no-go decision | Suited to projects that require repeated pre-implementation validation |
Kepware Server offers a full-featured demo that can be used repeatedly in two-hour sessions, making it easy to quickly perform initial checks for connections to actual equipment. Matrikon lets you validate connections using OPC Simulation Server without connecting to production equipment.
Choosing an OPC Server Based on Site Conditions Is Important
The right product depends on site scale, asset configuration, and project characteristics. The sections below outline where Kepware Server and Matrikon each fit, so compare them with your project conditions.
| Where Kepware Server Can Be a Strong Candidate | Where Matrikon OPC Products Can Be a Strong Candidate |
|---|---|
| • Sites that want to expand connectivity across the entire plant or multiple sites in the future • Sites that want to reduce engineers’ learning costs |
• Process-industry sites such as oil, gas, and chemicals • Sites that want to use existing OPC assets for phased migration • Sites that prioritize bridging between OPC UA and OPC Classic |
When choosing an OPC Server, it is important to consider not only the number of devices it can connect to, but also ease of continued use at the site and project conditions. For example, at sites with a high proportion of Japanese-made PLCs, or in projects that require responses to specification changes or product changeovers from the prime contractor, a Japanese-made OPC server can be a strong candidate.
The article below features selected OPC Server products by project type handled by system integrators.
OPC Server Products
by Site Requirement
by Site Requirement
Data Utilization
with Existing Equipment
with Existing Equipment
Source: TAKEBISHI CORPORATION official website
https://www.faweb.net/en/product/opc
https://www.faweb.net/en/product/opc
DeviceXPlorer OPC ServerTAKEBISHI CORPORATION
Broad Connectivity Across Vendors
and Generations
and Generations
Connects with PLCs, robots, and machine tools from 100+ manufacturers and 400+ device series.
Existing control devices can stay in use, even in mixed-generation environments.
Flexible Data Integration
in Legacy Environments
in Legacy Environments
Without modifying equipment, you can use OPC server-side scripting to shape data and apply equipment recipe data.
The scripting function is available at no additional cost.
Large-Scale Monitoring
Across Multiple Sites
Across Multiple Sites
Source: PTC official website
https://www.ptc.com/en/products/kepware/kepware-server
https://www.ptc.com/en/products/kepware/kepware-server
Kepware ServerVelotic (Kepware, formerly a PTC business)
Designed for Multi-Site Expansion
Packaged licensing* for large-scale standardization reduces the need to procure licenses when adding new sites or manage updates site by site. This supports scaling while maintaining the management framework.
Remote Management
and Configuration
and Configuration
With add-on options, OPC servers running at different sites can be centrally managed from the main site.
Audit Readiness for Plant Operations
Source: Honeywell official website
https://www.matrikonopc.com/index.aspx
https://www.matrikonopc.com/index.aspx
MatrikonOPC ServerHoneywell
Integrate Field Data
into the Monitoring Network
into the Monitoring Network
Collects oil and gas drilling data via OPC. Secure transmission across firewalls and redundancy help maintain an audit-ready data foundation over time.
Quickly Check Who Did What,
and When
and When
All servers include diagnostic logging with log-level settings and filtering. The logs can also serve as a foundation for audit trails.
*Purchasing Site & Enterprise licenses requires an inquiry to
Velotic.