NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA) - Easy and Secure Access to Production Data

NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA), introduced in 2016 and continuously developed since, enables IT applications to securely access data from process control systems — the core of chemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical production — without compromising system integrity.

Implementing NOA starts with securing your OT network, beginning in the Core Process Control (CPC) zone. This includes updating your network segmentation between the CPC and the IT systems that use production data. The next step is connecting field devices to the OT network and establishing data paths from OT to IT systems.

When NOA-compliant Ethernet-APL devices and FDI (Field Device Integration) packages are used, integration is straightforward. With legacy devices, it remains possible but more complex.

Effective network and device management is now essential for monitoring system health and performing firmware updates at scale. With the introduction of CRA and NIS2, these capabilities have become legal requirements rather than options.

Once established, NOA provides a foundation for scalable data exchange across companies, enabling participation in data space initiatives such as Process X and other projects based on the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) framework.

Talk to us about how we can support your NOA implementation — from network security to scalable data integration.