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New Excel Plug-in for Real-Time Feed

Great new feature for Excel users is now available from Cogent Real-Time Systems. Live data can now be fed from any OPC-based production system right into an Excel spreadsheet, to be analyzed. The data from the Excel spreadsheet can then be sent back to the production system. The process will not require any macro programming or specific plug-ins. "Connecting Excel to OPC has never been easier" said Mr. Andrew Thomas, president of Cogent. "You just select your points and drag them into an open spreadsheet. Release the mouse button, and they start updating."

The OPC DataHub links any number of OPC servers across a standard network or Internet connection to any Excel worksheet. The data flow can be configured as one-way or bidirectional, and optimized to reduce network traffic in large applications. Spreadsheets saved with links to the OPC DataHub are automatically updated with the most recent values as soon as they are opened, making production reporting accurate and consistent.

In addition to connecting Excel to OPC servers, the OPC DataHub also links to other applications and operating systems. It can be used to bridge between OPC servers or connect to relational databases like SQL Server or Oracle. The OPC DataHub also provides customizable web access to process data, making it accessible from a web browser anywhere in the world. The OPC DataHub builds on Cogent`s established middleware technology, first introduced in 1995 and currently in use in thousands of systems worldwide. This technology allows users to seamlessly integrate data across multiple Windows, Linux, and QNX platforms.