Cogent launches OPC DataHub

Georgetown, Ontario (March 7, 2006) Cogent Real-Time Systems, providers of real-time data connectivity software announced today the release of a new product: the OPC DataHub. This powerful new software can simultaneously aggregate OPC servers, tunnel data across a network or the Internet, and bridge between different OPC servers. It also includes a complete built-in scripting language and read/write access to ODBC databases, web browsers and Excel spreadsheets.

"This may be the only OPC tool a user will ever need," said Mr. Andrew Thomas, president of Cogent. "Combining aggregation, bridging, and tunnelling into a single product means you can integrate your OPC system more easily and reliably than ever before."

The OPC DataHub builds on Cogent's proprietary middleware technology, first introduced in 1995 and currently in use in thousands of systems worldwide. This technology allows you to seamlessly integrate data across multiple Windows, Linux and QNX platforms.

"This connects OPC to the rest of the world," said Mr. Thomas. "Now process control data doesn't have to stay on the shop floor. It can be in the boardroom, in a wireless handheld, or on an executive's desk. Putting live OPC data into Excel lets you run analysis and feed the results back to the OPC server, all in real time."

The OPC DataHub tunnels through firewalls to connect OPC servers and clients across a network or the Internet. This eliminates DCOM security and timeout issues. The DataHub's multiple-connection interface lets it aggregate any number of OPC servers. Combining these capabilities with OPC bridging and native DDE and TCP protocols lets the OPC DataHub make OPC data available virtually anywhere, from the plant floor to the office boardroom, across the local network or across the ocean, in a web browser or powering Excel spreadsheets, in Windows, Linux and QNX.

Founded in 1995, Cogent Real-Time Systems is the leader in real-time cross-platform data integration between Windows, Linux and QNX. Customers include the Bank of Canada, Cadbury Chocolate and the European Space Agency. Cogent leverages its experience in real-time data communications to provide the next generation of OPC products.