For a customer, we have a requirement to process parameter data collection. Overall, there will be around 500 tags in the entire solution - 100 bins X 5 parameters for each equipment (temperature, pressure, moisture, etc.) -  to be read via OPC and store in the database, every 5 minutes.

Can Machine Integrator handle the load of 500 tags per 5 mins without affecting application / web server ?

Yes, it is possible. 500 tags is not a problem for MI.

Just please make sure you are reading as much tags as possible in a single read. Ideally, all points in a single Action Group (AG) or a single Business Component (BC) call. Reading 100 tags at a time is much faster than 100 reads for a single tag. If you don’t need all points at the same time (like only single bin), you should distribute the load for some time to not launch all 100 reads at the same moment.

For the architecture, we suggest to put the MI on the same machine as OPC. It will be easier to configure and will communicate with OPC much faster.