Platform Overview

OpenAutomate is designed as a centralized orchestration platform with distributed execution architecture. This approach provides the perfect balance between centralized control and distributed scalability.

Architecture

Core Components

Cloud Orchestrator

The web-based control panel hosted by OpenAutomate that provides:
  • Dashboard: Real-time monitoring and analytics
  • Package Management: Upload and distribute automation packages
  • Execution Management: Monitor and control automation runs
  • User Management: Role-based access control
  • Scheduling: Configure automation schedules
  • Asset Management: Secure credential storage

Bot Agent

Distributed components deployed on your infrastructure:
  • Windows Service: Background processing and communication
  • WPF UI: Local configuration and monitoring interface
  • Python Executor: Runs automation scripts in isolated environments
  • Local API: Enables communication between components

Python SDK

Comprehensive toolkit for building automations:
  • Asset Access: Secure credential retrieval
  • Status Updates: Real-time execution reporting
  • Logging: Centralized log management
  • Error Handling: Robust exception management

Data Flow

  1. Package Creation: Developers create automation packages using Python
  2. Package Upload: Packages are uploaded to the Cloud Orchestrator
  3. Distribution: Packages are securely distributed to registered agents
  4. Execution: Agents execute automations based on schedules or triggers
  5. Monitoring: Real-time status updates flow back to the orchestrator
  6. Reporting: Execution results and logs are centralized for analysis

Security Model

Multi-Tenant Architecture

  • Organization Units: Each tenant has isolated data and resources
  • Role-Based Access: Granular permissions within organizations
  • Data Isolation: Automatic tenant filtering at the database level

Agent Security

  • Machine Keys: Unique authentication for each agent
  • Encrypted Communication: All data in transit is encrypted
  • Asset Protection: Credentials are never stored locally on agents
  • Process Isolation: Each automation runs in its own environment

Deployment Models

Cloud-Hosted Orchestrator

  • OpenAutomate hosts the central management platform
  • You maintain control over your execution infrastructure
  • Automatic updates and maintenance for the orchestrator
  • 99.9% uptime SLA for the management platform

On-Premises Agents

  • Deploy agents on your own infrastructure
  • Full control over execution environment
  • No data leaves your network during execution
  • Scale agents based on your needs

Benefits

  • Cost Effective: No per-bot licensing fees
  • Scalable: Add agents as needed without additional costs
  • Secure: Your data stays on your infrastructure
  • Flexible: Python-based automation with extensive libraries
  • Open Source: Full transparency and community support