Who is this Documentation For?
operators, engineers, IT/OT admins, developers
Who Is This Documentation For?
The Software Defined Automation (SDA) documentation is designed to support everyone involved in modern industrial automation — from control engineers on the factory floor to IT administrators, developers, and business leaders driving digital transformation.
Because SDA bridges the gap between operations technology (OT) and information technology (IT), the documentation serves multiple audiences, each with their own focus and depth of interaction.
Operators and Automation Engineers
Operators, maintenance teams, and controls engineers use SDA to:
Connect and manage PLCs, gateways, and devices across distributed sites
Perform secure backups and restores of control logic
Deploy updates and monitor device health
Standardize development workflows and version control of automation assets
Enable remote access while maintaining safety and compliance
Edit PLC projects directly in the browser using IDE-as-a-Service (IDEaaS), and securely connect to devices to download, upload, and monitor
This documentation provides detailed walkthroughs, configuration examples, and troubleshooting guides to help these users become productive quickly.
IT and OT Administrators
Administrators and security professionals use SDA to:
Manage user accounts, permissions, and access policies
Integrate SDA with corporate identity systems (e.g., SSO, LDAP, Azure AD)
Define network, proxy, and firewall rules for secure connectivity between OT and IT environments
Monitor platform usage, audit logs, and system events for compliance and traceability
Ensure alignment with organizational cybersecurity standards and frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2, IEC 62443)
The Administration and Platform Overview sections of this documentation include the information needed to deploy SDA at scale, enforce governance, and maintain a secure, Zero Trust environment.
Developers and Integrators
Developers, system integrators, and solution architects use SDA to extend automation workflows and build new digital capabilities. They rely on:
APIs, webhooks, and integrations to connect SDA with existing systems
CI/CD pipelines for industrial automation projects
SDKs and example scripts for custom extensions
The API and Tutorials sections provide reference material and code examples for building and automating with SDA.
Business and Technical Decision Makers
Engineering managers, digital transformation leaders, and solution owners use this documentation to:
Understand SDA’s architecture, security model, and compliance posture
Evaluate platform fit for their enterprise automation strategy
Estimate costs, licenses, and deployment options
Plan migrations, proof-of-concepts, and phased rollouts
For this audience, the Introduction and Platform Overview sections summarize the value proposition and governance features that make SDA suitable for enterprise-scale industrial operations.
Partners and Ecosystem Contributors
System integrators, OEMs, and technology partners collaborate with SDA to deliver integrated solutions. This documentation helps partners:
Embed SDA capabilities into their products and services
Standardize integrations with supported vendors (e.g., Siemens, Beckhoff, Rockwell, Schneider, SEW-EURODRIVE, CODESYS, Mitsibushi, Kuka, IGUS, B&R Automation, Wago, etc)
Learn SDA’s data, API, and security models for certification or joint offerings
Partners will find additional guidance in the Integrations and SDA Academy sections.
Summary
Whether you are connecting your first PLC, securing a multi-site deployment, or integrating SDA into a digital factory ecosystem, this documentation is intended to guide you through every step — from first login to large-scale automation at enterprise level.
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