PLC Data Collection Software

SmartConnect IIoT collects data from PLCs and industrial controllers. It reads the tags and registers you configure and makes that data available to MES, SCADA, dashboards and analytics through OPC UA, MTConnect and MQTT.

What is PLC data collection?

PLC data collection is the process of reading data from programmable logic controllers and delivering it to other software. PLCs control much of the equipment on a shop floor, and the values inside them — machine state, counters, sensor readings, setpoints and fault bits — describe what that equipment is doing.

A PLC data collection layer reads those values on a schedule or on change and presents them through consistent, standard interfaces, so applications do not each need their own PLC driver.

Why collect PLC data?

• Monitor the state and output of PLC-controlled equipment.
• Collect counters, cycle data and sensor values.
• Detect faults and alarm conditions from controller bits.
• Feed SCADA, MES and analytics with consistent controller data.
• Standardise access across machines from different builders.

The PLC connectivity challenge

PLCs from different vendors expose data through different protocols and addressing schemes. Building and maintaining a separate integration for each PLC type is time-consuming and hard to scale. SmartConnect provides one data layer so PLC data is collected and published consistently, alongside CNC and other machine data.

How PLC data is delivered

PLC and CNC together

Many production cells combine CNC machines and PLC-controlled equipment. SmartConnect collects both through the same connectivity and data layer, so your CNC data collection and PLC data collection share one consistent model and one set of interfaces.