SUMMARY
Use this guide to understand the high-level architecture of the Factbird Cloud platform. The architecture illustrates how production data flows from your manufacturing environment to the Factbird Cloud and how users securely access production insights through the Factbird application.
WHAT THIS IS
The Factbird Cloud System Architecture is a high-level overview of the components involved in collecting, processing, storing, and visualising manufacturing data.
The architecture is divided into three primary areas:
- Customer IT/OT Environment – Production equipment, PLCs, sensors, edge devices, and customer networks where manufacturing data is generated.
- Factbird Cloud – The cloud platform that securely receives, processes, stores, and analyses production data.
- Users – Operators, supervisors, engineers, and managers who access production data through the Factbird application.
Together, these components provide secure, real-time production monitoring without disrupting existing manufacturing systems.
WHY IT MATTERS
Understanding the system architecture helps you:
- Understand how production data reaches Factbird.
- Plan new deployments and integrations.
- Work with internal IT and OT teams.
- Understand the separation between customer infrastructure and the Factbird Cloud.
- Support network and security reviews before deployment.
WHEN YOU WOULD USE THIS
Use this when:
- Planning a new Factbird deployment.
- Reviewing the overall system architecture.
- Explaining how Factbird integrates with existing production systems.
- Completing IT or cybersecurity reviews.
- Understanding how production data flows through the platform.
HOW IT WORKS
Production data is generated within the customer's manufacturing environment by equipment such as PLCs, sensors, or Factbird Edge devices.
This data is securely transmitted to the Factbird Cloud, where it is:
- Processed.
- Stored.
- Analysed.
- Made available for reporting and dashboards.
KEY TERMS / COMPONENTS
Customer IT/OT Environment
- The customer's production network, including PLCs, sensors, edge devices, and manufacturing equipment.
Factbird Cloud
- The cloud platform that securely processes, stores, and analyses manufacturing data.
Edge Devices
- Devices that collect production data from machines and securely transmit it to the Factbird Cloud.
Users
- Operators, supervisors, engineers, managers, and other authorised users who access production data through the Factbird application.
System Architecture Diagram
- A high-level visual representation of how the customer environment, cloud platform, and users interact.
COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS
- The architecture diagram is intended to provide a high-level overview and does not document every internal cloud service or infrastructure component.
- Factbird complements existing production systems by integrating with them rather than replacing PLCs, MES, or ERP systems.
- Customer production data remains within the customer's configured Factbird environment and is securely transmitted between the production environment and the Factbird Cloud.
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