In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, choosing the right OPC UA implementation is more than just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one.
A strategic choice for interoperability, cybersecurity, and digital sovereignty
OPC UA has become the leading communication standard for secure, interoperable data exchange between devices and systems in industrial environments. It plays a central role in digital transformation across sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation.
In this context, selecting the right OPC UA implementation is a strategic decision. Should you choose a proprietary solution, or rely on open-source?
The answer affects your ability to ensure system security, manage costs, plan for the long term, and maintain technological independence.
S2OPC, developed by Systerel, shows how open-source software, when professionally maintained, can meet the high standards of industrial quality, cybersecurity, and certification.
Open Source: more than just free code
Open source is often seen simply as “free software”. In reality, it is a model based on key principles: transparency, auditability, freedom of use, and collaboration.
These principles are particularly valuable in industrial settings, where safety and long-term reliability are essential. Having access to the source code gives you full control and visibility over the software’s behavior, and allows for deeper technical validation.
This model is increasingly supported by public authorities. For example, the French Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) and the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) both promote the use of open-source software in critical infrastructure.
S2OPC open-source license: flexibility & independence
S2OPC is published under the Apache 2.0 license, one of the most permissive licenses in the world of open-source.
This license guarantees commercial usage freedom without limitations. There is no “code contamination”. Additionally, you have the ability to create your own fork if your needs evolve.
As digital sovereignty becomes a growing priority in Europe and beyond, this level of control is no longer optional: it is essential.
A collaborative ecosystem
S2OPC is developed by Systerel, an engineering company with recognized expertise in critical systems. It is supported by a growing, dynamic user community.
This foundation ensures:
- A large user base, highly engaged
- Regular contributions: bug fixes, technical improvements, use cases
- Dynamic collaboration: forums, bug reports, documentation, etc.
- Opportunities of shared funding for the development of new features
S2OPC provides not only a robust OPC UA implementation, but also a shared technological base that continues to evolve continuously.
Coming up: the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)
Starting in 2027, the Cyber Resilience Act will impose new obligations on software. Open-source software without commercial use will be excluded from its scope.
However, if you integrate such software into a final product, you will be responsible for meeting these obligations. The good news is that Systerel will take on these responsibilities for S2OPC, so you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Open Source without any of the drawbacks!
Securing Your Industrial Future with S2OPC
Choosing an open-source OPC UA implementation like S2OPC is not just a technical decision : it’s a strategic investment. It offers the flexibility, transparency, and control needed to support long-term industrial deployments.
With S2OPC, you benefit from a solution that is secure, certified, adaptable, and future-ready, supported by a strong ecosystem and a clear licensing model that works in your favor.