Software Toolbox Technical Blog

Welcome to the launch of Software Toolbox’s Summer of IoT blog series for 2025.

In the coming posts, we’ll explore how our solutions support the evolving world of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and more importantly, how they can help you advance your Industry 4.0 and digital transformation goals with practical, proven tools. We begin the series by exploring Unified Namespace (UNS), what it means, why it matters, and how Software Toolbox makes it practical for real-world industrial environments.

Unified Namespace, Real Results: Lessons and Tools that Deliver

In today’s fast-evolving industrial landscape, seamless connectivity and data integration are critical for operational success. At Software Toolbox, our solutions are designed to empower businesses by enabling UNS connectivity, bridging the gap between diverse systems and helping with efficiency, interoperability, and scalability.

Personally, as a presenter and attendee of ProveIt! 2025 and an attendee of 4.0 Solutions’ Edge Integration to UNS Workshop, I have had a lot of exposure to the topic of UNS this year. In this blog post, I will share not only what I have learned surrounding the topic, but how Software Toolbox’s solutions fit into the picture.

If you’ve ever had to dig into historical data, you know that being able to easily access and understand it is key for gaining insights and decision making. Without the right tools, retrieving and reporting on historical data can quickly turn into a nightmare – leaving you dreaming of a better option. In today’s age of digital transformation, Dream Report gives you easy access to accurate data, allowing you to maintain a competitive edge, make informed decisions, and leave your nightmares in the past. 

In this blog post and accompanying video, you’ll learn how to use TOP Server’s Local Historian Plug-In with Dream Report to quickly capture and visualize historical data—revealing hidden trends in just 8 minutes.

A leading UK retailer, serving millions of customers through an extensive store network, set out to modernize aging infrastructure in its high-throughput distribution centers. Burdened by legacy equipment and unsupported software systems, the organization needed a reliable way to bridge communication gaps without replacing critical machinery. 

By working with a UK-based system integrator who leveraged OmniServer and OPC Data Logger software applications from Software Toolbox, the retailer achieved real-time visibility, accurate data collection, and the ability to respond quickly to underperformance. The result: improved fulfillment quality, reduced freight waste, and smarter use of transport resources.

As the Industry 4.0 movement transforms industrial automation, engineers and system administrators are tasked with managing more devices, across more locations, and under tighter security policies. For those working with TOP Server or KEPServerEX, the need for secure and scalable configuration tools has never been more critical. 

The OPC Server Remote Configuration Client enables direct configuration of remote TOP Server or KEPServerEX instances from your local machine, eliminating the need for remote desktop sessions, cloud access, or additional agents. Running entirely within your network, it ensures secure user access through the server’s built-in User Manager and offers an optional SQL audit trail for tracking configuration changes such as user identity and value changes. 

In this blog, you’ll see how the OPC Server Remote Configuration Client streamlines server management and enhances efficiency in high-security environments, helping accelerate digital transformation throughout your operations. 

In the oil and gas industry, data drives everything—from production optimization to regulatory compliance and remote asset management. But in an environment with geographically dispersed assets, legacy equipment, and too often limited network bandwidth, secure data exchange is far from simple. 

To stay competitive and compliant, oil and gas operators must bridge the gap between edge devices to control and enterprise systems—safely, reliably, and in real time.

When it comes to Earth Day, conversations often center on renewable energy and reducing raw materials—but true sustainability goes far beyond solar panels and recycling bins. One of the most overlooked yet powerful ways to shrink our environmental footprint is by reclaiming something we already have in abundance: waste heat.  

In this second installment of our 2025 Environmental Sustainability blog series, we’re diving into the surprisingly diverse world of heat reclamation—where compost piles, underground aquifers, industrial processes, and even your HVAC system can all become unexpected sources of clean, efficient energy.  

Curious about how this is so? Read on to discover the technologies that turn excess heat into big savings—for both the planet and your wallet.

How a Common Data Infrastructure is Helping Amcor Meet its Net Zero Goals

We are celebrating World Earth Day all month long and recognize that sustainability is not just about using eco-friendly materials — it is about making smarter choices in how we connect, operate, optimize, and innovate. To kick things off, this first blog of this year's Earth Day Series explores how Amcor, a global leader in the packaging industry, is leveraging TOP Server to drive efficiency, improve productivity, and help support its sustainability goals. 

A global beverage manufacturer sought to modernize its data workflows by integrating operational technology (OT) with enterprise systems. Specifically, they needed to transfer real-time data from their Rockwell Automation PLCs to their SAP system to automate workflows, enhance traceability, and streamline processes. The legacy setup relied on outdated communication methods, introducing inefficiencies and potential failure points. To overcome these challenges, the company required a robust, scalable, and future-ready solution.

This blog will give you an insight into how that solution became a reality and how they got there. Also, if you have not done so, please subscribe to our blogs to not miss out on similar topics.