Connectors

Connectors are functions that handle translation between Heisenware and external systems. They let flows communicate natively with third-party systems, industrial protocols, and external databases.

Connection scenarios

The network location of the target system determines where a connector executes.

Direct connection

When the platform can reach the target system directly, execute the connector in the application backend. The platform automatically manages the connection and execution. This scenario applies to:

• The Heisenware Cloud reaching systems on the public internet, such as a cloud API, a web service, or a public MQTT broker.

• An on-premise installation reaching systems within the same network.

Local connection (via Agent)

If the target system resides in an isolated network segment without inbound access (such as a PLC in a machine network), deploy an Agent. Agents are available as a Native Agent or a Docker Agent.

1

Build

Compile a Native Agent directly inside the App Builder and select which connectors to include in the package.

2

Deploy

Install the binary on a target system within the local network.

3

Use

Once the Agent comes online, it appears automatically in the Function Explorer. The Agent displays the connectors selected during the build. These functions execute directly at the edge, next to local devices.

For a deep dive into the build process and deployment options, see the Agents article.

Instance creation

Most connectors require an instance configuration before they can interact with a target system. Create an instance using the create function. The instance preserves configuration schemas, tracks credentials, and manages the connection lifecycle.

Certain connectors provide purely static utilities (such as File I/O or the Operating System (OS)) and execute calls immediately without an instance configuration.

Available connectors

The following table lists the available connectors and their required configuration types. Each link leads to a detailed configuration guide.

Connector	Description	Type
Allen-Bradley	Connects directly to Allen-Bradley PLCs for machine data acquisition and control.	Instance creation required
Email	Sends emails via SMTP.	Instance creation required
File I/O	Reads from and writes to files on a connected file system.	Static functions only
GraphQL	Interacts with any GraphQL API for flexible data queries.	Static functions only
GPIO counter	Counts digital pulses on Raspberry Pi GPIO pins, with automatic run/stop detection.	Instance creation required
Heidenhain DNC	Connects to Heidenhain DNC systems and requires a local connection scenario.	Instance creation required
Heidenhain OPC UA	Connects to Heidenhain controllers using the OPC UA protocol.	Instance creation required
HTTP / REST	Makes requests to standard web APIs and HTTP endpoints.	Mixed (Static and instance options)
Hydra MIP	Integrates natively with the Manufacturing Integration Platform (MIP).	Instance creation required
Kuando Busylight	Controls Kuando Busylight status indicators.	Instance creation required
Label printer	Sends print commands to ZPL-compatible label printers.	Instance creation required
Modbus	Communicates with industrial devices using the Modbus protocol.	Instance creation required
MQTT Client	Connects to an MQTT broker to publish and subscribe to topics.	Instance creation required
OPC UA Client	Connects to an OPC UA server for industrial automation data exchange.	Instance creation required
OPC UA Server	Deploys an OPC UA server to expose data from the application.	Instance creation required
Operating system (OS)	Accesses statistics and information from the host operating system.	Static functions only
Relational database	Connects to external SQL databases.	Instance creation required
RS-232/485	Communicates with devices over a serial port.	Instance creation required
SAP Digital Manufacturing	Integrates natively with SAP Digital Manufacturing.	Instance creation required
Siemens S7	Connects directly to Siemens S7 PLCs for data acquisition and control.	Instance creation required
Timeseries database	Connects to external InfluxDB databases.	Instance creation required
Zebra RFID IoT	Interacts with Zebra RFID readers and devices.	Instance creation required