[?]: WinCC 6.2 Server w/Connectivity Option - OPC-XML-DA

[enraptured]

I'd like to access the WinCC Server to get information via the XML-DA server. I have no problem setting WinCC with the XML-DA server, it is curently running as a web service. XML-DA is preferable due to DCOM in my enviroment.

But, why can't ANY off the shelf, available OPC-XLM-DA browsers see the tags? They all show a valid and running connection but fail when browsing the tags?

I've tried, advosol, kassl and others with no success. Is WinCC's OPC-XML-DA truly "open" as they claim or do you have to also have a WinCC Client license? I can't seem to get a straight answer from Siemens concerning this topic.

All I want to do is develop a desktop "widget" to display some metrics on a desktop. Seems simple enough but is proving difficult to achive.

Thanks