Key Concepts & Terminology

Terminology used throughout this section and in the SDA Console

---

The SDA Console uses consistent terminology to represent physical and logical entities within an industrial automation environment. Understanding these core concepts helps users navigate the platform, interpret relationships between components, and configure automation workflows effectively.

Each of the following terms corresponds to an element you will encounter in the SDA Console, API, or documentation.

---

Quick Reference: Key Concepts and Terminology

Term	Definition	Common Usage / Purpose
Gateway	A network-connected device that securely bridges the local OT network with the SDA cloud.	Installed on-prem to connect PLCs, manage communication, and enable backups, monitoring, and deployments.
Device	A logical twin of a PLC or industrial device, representing its configuration and control code in the cloud.	Used to perform backups, deployments, versioning, and lifecycle management.
Project	A collection of automation code, configuration files, and assets associated with one or more Devices.	Defines what runs on a Device; Projects are supported with version control, browser-based engineering, and CI/CD automation.
Resource Group	A logical container that organizes related SDA assets such as Devices, Projects, and Gateways.	Groups resources by site, production line, or environment (e.g., Development, Production) for easier management and access control.
Tag	A metadata label used to classify and filter SDA objects.	Enables quick search, filtering, and automated grouping for reporting and workflows.
Document	A stored file or artifact that is versioned and linked to another SDA object (e.g., Device, Project, or Pipeline).	Used for change records, safety documentation, firmware, or version reports with full traceability.
Pipeline	An automated workflow for interacting with Devices to perform actions such as backup, deploy, or password management.	Implements Industrial CI/CD with approval, rollback, and audit capabilities.
Browser-Based Engineering (IDEaaS)	A secure, cloud-hosted development environment for PLC programming and control logic.	Allows users to open, edit, download, upload, and monitor Projects and running Devices directly in the browser without local software.
Repository	A cloud-based source-control system for storing and tracking Project versions and assets.	Enables collaboration, version history, and integration with Pipelines.
Hub	A workspace module that groups related features or analytics (e.g., Security Hub, IDEaaS Hub).	Provides role-specific dashboards and tools for different platform functions.
Tenant	A logical workspace representing an organization or customer within SDA.	Segregates users, resources, and permissions by company or business unit.