# Browser Based Engineering

## Browser-Based Engineering (IDEaaS)

**Browser-Based Engineering**, also referred to as **IDE-as-a-Service (IDEaaS)**, transforms how industrial automation engineers develop, maintain, and deploy PLC projects. Instead of installing engineering software on local PCs, SDA provides a secure, cloud-hosted environment that allows users to access and manage their PLC programming tools directly from a web browser.

With IDEaaS, engineers can design, edit, and deploy automation projects from anywhere — securely and collaboratively — while maintaining full compatibility with native vendor tools. Each integrated environment runs in an isolated container within the SDA Cloud, ensuring both performance and compliance with vendor-specific licensing and runtime requirements.

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### Key Benefits

* **No local installs:** Access the full engineering environment through a browser, eliminating dependency on local software versions or system configurations.
* **Vendor compatibility:** Launch original vendor IDEs (e.g., Beckhoff TwinCAT, CODESYS, Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, etc.) in secure, pre-configured cloud environments.
* **Version control integration:** All projects are automatically versioned and stored within the SDA Project system for easy rollback, comparison, and collaborative editing.
* **Secure access:** IDEaaS sessions run within the SDA Secure Remote Access (SRA) framework, ensuring encrypted communication between browser, SDA Cloud, and on-premise devices.
* **Scalable and managed:** Resources are dynamically allocated based on workload, ensuring responsive performance even during complex builds or multi-user sessions.

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### Architecture Overview

Each IDE session runs in a containerized workspace within the customer’s tenant. This workspace connects through the SDA Connectivity Service to securely reach on-premise gateways and devices.\
This architecture enables:

* Isolation between users, tenants, and projects
* Controlled outbound-only communication
* Integration with SDA’s identity, audit, and logging systems
* Consistent performance across users and regions

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### Related Pages

* [**Using with Browser-Based Engineering**](https://docs.softwaredefinedautomation.io/app/4.-core-concepts-and-features/browser-based-engineering/using-browser-based-engineering-ideaas)\
  Learn how to launch, manage, and collaborate within an IDEaaS session, including saving, versioning, and device deployment.
* [**Browser Based Engineering IDE Licensing**](https://docs.softwaredefinedautomation.io/app/4.-core-concepts-and-features/browser-based-engineering/browser-based-engineering-ide-licensing)
* [**Supported Vendors**](https://docs.softwaredefinedautomation.io/app/4.-core-concepts-and-features/browser-based-engineering/ideaas-supported-vendors)\
  Explore detailed guidance for each supported automation vendor environment.
* [**Troubleshooting Browser-Based Engineering**](https://docs.softwaredefinedautomation.io/app/4.-core-concepts-and-features/browser-based-engineering/ideaas-supported-vendors/ideaas-troubleshooting)\
  Guidance for resolving session startup issues, performance bottlenecks, connectivity errors, or licensing conflicts.
