---
title: "Connect to software"
slug: "connect-to-software"
updated: 2024-09-27T18:53:37Z
published: 2024-09-27T18:53:37Z
canonical: "support.tulip.co/connect-to-software"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.tulip.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect to software

The future of industrial software is shifting toward a landscape of interconnected tools, where multiple systems work together seamlessly. Tulip plays a key role in this ecosystem by addressing core manufacturing use cases while also integrating natively with other business systems to enable bidirectional data exchange.

Tulip uses {{glossary.Connector}}s as its primary interface for interacting with external software systems. Additionally, Tulip provides an API for remote data ingestion, extraction, and product configuration.

## [Connectors](/r230/docs/connectors-1)
Tulip’s **Connectors** offer a no-code interface for interacting with customer business systems. These systems can be accessed securely without being exposed to the cloud by deploying an [On-Prem Connector Host](/r230/docs/introduction-to-tulip-connector-hosts).

Each Connector handles authentication and configuration to connect with business systems, and also includes user-defined {{glossary.Connector Function}}s that represent discrete pieces of business logic. Connector functions can accept {{glossary.Input}}s, return {{glossary.Output}}s, and be integrated into apps or {{glossary.Automation}}s for enhanced flexibility.

### Types of Connectors:
1. **[HTTP Connectors](/r230/docs/http-connectors)**  
   Facilitate data transactions over RESTful API interfaces. Common integrations include systems like PLMs, WMSs, ERPs, and MESs.

2. **[SQL Connectors](/r230/docs/sql-connectors)**  
   Enable queries on SQL databases for data retrieval and updates.

3. **[MQTT Connectors](/r230/docs/mqtt-connectors)**  
   Send complex {{glossary.JSON}} payloads to customer-hosted MQTT namespaces, supporting IoT and real-time data exchange.

## [Tulip APIs](/r230/docs/api-documentation)
Tulip's **APIs** allow programmatic access to key components, including Tulip {{glossary.Table}}s, {{glossary.Station}}s, and {{glossary.Events}}, among others. These APIs enable seamless data interaction and workflow automation across systems.

## [Automations](/r230/docs/automations)
With **Automations**, users can configure {{glossary.Workflow}}s that move data within Tulip or integrate with external systems. Automations enhance operational efficiency by enabling both data-driven actions and real-time responses.