# Connectors Connectors are an integral part of your application logic that handle the translation between Heisenware and the outside world. They allow your flows to communicate natively with third-party systems, industrial protocols, and external databases. ## Connection scenarios Where a connector executes depends on whether the target system is accessible over the public internet. ### Direct cloud connection If the system is accessible from the public internet (e.g., a cloud API, a web service, or a public MQTT broker), you can use the connector directly in your application backend. The Heisenware platform manages the connection and execution for you in the cloud. ### Local connection (via Edge Agent) If the target system is on a private, isolated network with no inbound internet access (such as a PLC on a factory shop floor), it cannot be reached directly from the cloud. In this scenario, you must use an Edge Agent (available as a native binary or Docker container). * **Customized Native Agent**: You can compile a native agent directly inside the App Builder. You decide exactly which connectors and credentials you want to include in the package. * **Deployment**: Once you have built your custom binary, you install it on a target system within the local network. * **Visibility in library**: Once the agent is online, it automatically appears in your [library](/app-builder/build-backend/function-explorer.md). Inside the visual Agent representation, you will find the specific connector classes you selected during the build process. * **Edge execution**: Using functions from this agent-specific category ensures that the logic is executed directly at the edge, allowing you to integrate local devices seamlessly. {% hint style="info" %} For a deep dive into the build process and deployment options, please refer to the [Edge Agent](/app-builder/build-backend/function-explorer/agents.md) article. {% endhint %} ## Available Connectors The following connectors are available. Most of them in both connection scenarios. Each link leads to a detailed guide on configuring and using that specific integration.

Connector	Description
Allen-Bradley	Connects directly to Allen-Bradley PLCs for machine data acquisition and control.
Email	Sends and receives emails via SMTP and IMAP.
File I/O	Reads from and writes to files on a connected file system.
GraphQL	Interacts with any GraphQL API for flexible data queries.
/pages/uR7ag0e2XYlJZxKBVUym	Connects to Heidenhain DNC systems. Always requires a local connection scenario.
/pages/EpkGBqvJEohlwCLGY3sK	Connects to Heidenhain controllers using the OPC UA protocol.
/pages/L08PCk3zIc2TgpfsrzgF	Makes requests to standard web APIs and HTTP endpoints.
/pages/kw6aas3ewlQQg7TvBTwc	Integrates natively with the Manufacturing Integration Platform (MIP) and the corresponding MES Hydra from MPDV.
/pages/jfNWX6WTm4kRbEY5NDTO	Controls Kuando Busylight status indicators.
/pages/6J6Z8QTDo8V7qfnIamFx	Sends print commands to ZPL-compatible label printers.
Modbus	Communicates with industrial devices using the Modbus protocol.
/pages/SjaZX1Ck2iulBLfYMBsc	Connects to an MQTT broker to publish and subscribe to topics.
/pages/WS4WBTv7pGfvEU4Mfv9Q	Connects to an OPC UA server for industrial automation data exchange.
/pages/wjUA4cwxxIGAza9c27Mv	Deploys an OPC UA server to expose data from your application.
/pages/MdmdlXd1DsLNYXnno74M	Accesses stats and info from the host operating system.
/pages/dXgBShltvuNrQPP8wxys	Connects to external SQL databases.
/pages/IyQBYLW5fzoba8o2vbBz	Communicates with devices over a serial port.
/pages/0Fml3upShU9SRZFhooR4	Integrates natively with SAP Digital Manufacturing.
/pages/mwKgD9VN42LBsPIDSzZ8	Connects directly to Siemens S7 PLCs for data acquisition and control.
/pages/Is04w82dY7i1e4Uo4Y0w	Connects to an external InfluxDB database.
/pages/u1Gr4YwMakcH7v5iujQH	Interacts with Zebra RFID readers and devices.

{% hint style="success" %} #### Internal Storage Heisenware includes production-ready internal [PostgreSQL](/app-builder/build-backend/function-explorer/storage/relational-database.md) and internal [InfluxDB](/app-builder/build-backend/function-explorer/storage/timeseries-database.md) databases by default. You only need the connectors above if you are linking to your own *external* database servers. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.heisenware.com/app-builder/build-backend/function-explorer/connectors.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.