It is mainly defined as international standard development and trading organization where members are included to lead automation providers worldwide. The task is seen by ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Association) as a promotion for open and compatible information and communication technologies in an automation technology world.
The standards are included in the media-independent network protocol, known as Common Industrial Protocol (CIP), and industrial communication technologies which include EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and more.
The future interoperability needs to be ensured by the production systems and their integration with other systems such as ODVA supports the adoption of COTS solutions (Commercial-off-the-shelf/commercial and mass-produced) and Internet standard or Ethernet technologies as a guiding principle. EtherNet/IP is used for illustrating the guiding principle.