# Synnax documentation

> Connect hardware, operate and automate physical systems, and process live and recorded data.

![The Synnax Console with a schematic, a line plot, a table, a log, and an Arc sequence open](https://synnax.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/docs/console/ui-overview/tour/00a1e81cb06a/mosaic-light.webp)

Synnax is a unified industrial control and operations platform. It combines data acquisition, a time-series database, live visualization, manual and automated control, and data processing in one system.

Propulsion testing

Run rocket engine and component test stands.

Fusion and energy

Operate experiments and the systems that support them.

Vehicle testing

Test automotive and aerospace components.

Production control

Monitor and control production equipment.

##### Synnax Desktop

Free. Runs on your own macOS or Windows computer, with nothing to set up.

[Install Synnax Desktop](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/install-desktop)

##### Synnax Enterprise

For teams. Deploy a Core on your own servers, then connect users, Drivers, and scripts to it.

[Set up Synnax Enterprise](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/enterprise)

Not sure which one you need? [Compare the editions](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/editions).

## Common workflows

[Record data from a test stand](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/hardware)

[Read sensors from NI, LabJack, Modbus, OPC UA, EtherCAT, and HTTP devices.](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/hardware)

[Operate a system by hand](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/control/manual)

[Open valves and start pumps from a live schematic.](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/control/manual)

[Automate a test sequence](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/control/arc/test-sequences)

[Write the stages, timing, and aborts of a test in Arc.](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/control/arc/test-sequences)

[Catch bad values](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/alarms)

[Color values that pass a limit, and raise alarms with Arc.](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/alarms)

[Review and compare tests](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges)

[Mark each test run in time, then find, plot, and export its data.](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges)

[Process data as it arrives](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/channels/calculated)

[Compute new values from live and recorded channels.](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/channels/calculated)

## Start here

[Explore the sample project](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/sample-project)

[Run a simulated tank pressurization, take control of a valve, and abort the test.](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/sample-project)

[Your first run](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/first-run)

[Create channels, write data with Arc, plot it, and record a range.](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/first-run)

[Synnax concepts](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/concepts)

[Learn the parts of Synnax and the words the docs use for them.](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/concepts)

[Console UI overview](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/ui-overview)

[Find your way around the toolbars, panels, and command palette.](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/ui-overview)

## How Synnax compares

Teams often build a test or control system from separate tools: one to acquire data, one to store it, one for operator screens, and one for automation. Synnax does each job in one system. Plots, schematics, sequences, and alarms all use the same channels, so nothing needs to be wired between tools.

| Job                        | Often done with                         | In Synnax                                                                |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Acquire data from hardware | LabVIEW, NI FlexLogger, vendor software | [Hardware tasks](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/hardware/tasks)   |
| Store time-series data     | InfluxDB, TimescaleDB, a historian      | [Channels](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/channels)               |
| Plot live and past data    | Grafana, LabVIEW, Excel                 | [Line plots](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/line-plots) |
| Build operator screens     | Ignition, LabVIEW front panels          | [Schematics](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/schematics) |
| Automate sequences         | LabVIEW, PLC logic, Python scripts      | [Arc](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/control/arc)                 |
| Raise alarms               | SCADA alarm systems                     | [Alarms](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/alarms)                   |
| Organize test runs         | Folders, file names, spreadsheets       | [Ranges](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges)                   |