# Welcome to FLECS

## **The shared software layer for industrial automation**

FLECS is a neutral platform for **Software Defined Automation**.

It provides the shared software layer that turns fragmented industrial software delivery into a **scalable, secure, and role‑respecting ecosystem** – across machines, vendors, and lifecycles.

Industrial automation does not suffer from a lack of innovation. It suffers from a **scaling problem**:

* Software is developed by many actors: OEMs, component manufacturers, integrators, and app vendors
* Operation, updates, and responsibility remain fragmented
* Integration effort, lifecycle risk, and security exposure increase over time

FLECS addresses this structural challenge by standardizing how industrial software is **packaged, distributed, deployed, updated, and operated.** Without replacing existing roles or customer relationships.

## 👥 Who is this documentation for?

This documentation is structured by role. Choose your perspective to get started faster:

* **Machine Builders / OEMs**\
  Build branded, vertical software platforms for your machines. Separate hardware and software delivery, manage updates, and create new digital revenue streams.
* **Component Manufacturers**\
  Package, distribute, maintain, and update your software at scale, securely and CRA‑ready, without losing ownership or visibility.
* **Plant Operators**\
  Operate heterogeneous machines with consistent software rollout, fewer platforms, and clear responsibility across the full lifecycle.
* **App Vendors & Developers**\
  Build, publish, and distribute industrial apps via marketplaces, from public reach to fully branded ecosystems.

## 🧩 What FLECS provides

FLECS is **not**:

* a replacement for PLCs, SCADA systems, or engineering tools
* a proprietary lock‑in platform
* a consumer‑style app marketplace

FLECS **is**:

* a shared software layer for industrial operation
* a standardized runtime and lifecycle environment
* a foundation for branded marketplaces and digital business models

At its core, FLECS enables:

* Standardized packaging and distribution of industrial software
* Secure deployment and update management across device fleets
* Operation on Linux‑based PLCs, IPCs, edge devices, and cloud environments
* Whitelabeled platforms and marketplaces under your brand
* Clear separation of responsibilities between all roles

## 🚀 How to use this documentation

Use this documentation as a practical guide to understand, evaluate, and implement FLECS:

* **What We Do:** Understand the platform logic and ecosystem model
* **Our Features:** Explore concrete capabilities and system components
* **First Steps:** Install, deploy, and run your first FLECS setup
* **Marketplace as a Service:** Learn how to launch your own branded marketplace
* **Developer Guides:** Build, publish, and manage industrial apps

If you are unfamiliar with specific terms, refer to the [**Glossary**](https://docs.flecs.tech/product-docs/foundation/glossary) for precise definitions.

## 📚 Key entry points

* [What We Do](https://docs.flecs.tech/product-docs/introduction/what-we-do): Platform purpose and ecosystem logic
* [Our Features](https://docs.flecs.tech/product-docs/introduction/our-features): Core capabilities and components
* [First Steps with FLECS](https://docs.flecs.tech/product-docs/fundamentals/first-steps-with-flecs): Getting started hands‑on
* **Need help with a term?** See the [Glossary](https://docs.flecs.tech/product-docs/foundation/glossary) for definitions of key concepts.

FLECS is productive, not conceptual.

A fully branded platform can be live within **6 weeks** via the FLECSelerator onboarding, running on your infrastructure, under your control.

This documentation is your reference for building scalable, software‑defined automation with FLECS.

## Quick links

{% content-ref url="what-we-do" %}
[what-we-do](https://docs.flecs.tech/product-docs/introduction/what-we-do)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="our-features" %}
[our-features](https://docs.flecs.tech/product-docs/introduction/our-features)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="../foundation/glossary" %}
[glossary](https://docs.flecs.tech/product-docs/foundation/glossary)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Get Started

We've put together some helpful guides for you to get setup with our product quickly and easily.

{% content-ref url="../fundamentals/first-steps-with-flecs" %}
[first-steps-with-flecs](https://docs.flecs.tech/product-docs/fundamentals/first-steps-with-flecs)
{% endcontent-ref %}