For the communication between different machines, manufacturer independent information models are required. For surface technology machinery, these information models are based on OPC UA, a communication framework developed and provided by the OPC Foundation. While OPC UA provides the technology for the transfer of information, the definition which information are transferred in which form is fixed in Companion Specifications.

This recommendation defines common ObjectTypes for some, not all, surface technology machines. The intention is that ObjectTypes which can be used for several machines and applications are defined only once. For specific applications these ObjectTypes are used by specific Companion Specifications.