---
alias: user-guide-automation-manager-connect
tags:
- connect iot
description: "Create an Automation Controller instance directly from the Automation Manager page using the Connect operation"
---

# Connect Automation Manager

:lock: AutomationManager.**Connect**

## Overview

This operation is used to create an **Automation Controller** instance from the **Automation Manager** page. The Connect Automation Manager wizard connects an **Automation Controller** and an entity to the current **Automation Manager**, which runs the resulting instance.

The current **Automation Manager** is fixed in the wizard and cannot be changed. It is used for the **Automation Controller** and its drivers.

## Setup

No specific setup is required other than to meet the preconditions of the transaction.

## Preconditions

* The **Automation Manager** exists in the system and is not in the Terminated state.
* An **Automation Controller** exists in the system that is not a template and is not in the Terminated state.
* The entity to connect belongs to an entity type that is enabled for Connect IoT.

## Sequence of Steps

The Connect Automation Manager wizard can be called with the **Connect** action from the **Automation Manager** page.

!!! note
    The Connect action is disabled when the Automation Manager is in the Terminated state.

### Step 1: Select the Entity and Automation Controller

1. Select the **Automation Controller** and the version to be used by the instance. Only controllers that are not templates and are not in the Terminated state can be selected.
2. Select the entity to associate with the **Automation Controller**. The available entities depend on the system type of the selected controller.

### Step 2: Automation Drivers

1. Select the entity to associate with each driver of the selected **Automation Controller**.
2. Select **Connect** to complete the operation.

After the operation completes, the new instance is displayed on the [[user-guide-automation-connect-iot]] page.

## Connect Wizard Entry Points

The Connect wizard can be started from different pages. The starting page defines which element is fixed and which elements you select in the wizard.

| Starting Page | Wizard Title | Fixed Element | Elements to Select |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Automation Controller** page | Connect Automation Controller | The **Automation Controller** | The entity to connect and the **Automation Manager** |
| Page of an entity enabled for Connect IoT (for example, a **Resource**) | Connect Entity | The entity | The **Automation Controller** and its version, and the **Automation Manager** |
| **Automation Manager** page | Connect Automation Manager | The **Automation Manager** | The **Automation Controller** and its version, and the entity to connect |

Table: Connect Wizard Entry Points

The Connect action on the page of an entity requires the entity-specific Connect security functionality (for example, Resource.**Connect**) or the general Entity.**Connect** security functionality, which enables the Connect wizard for all entities that are enabled for Connect IoT.