# Overview

> Bitfocus Buttons documentation, from first install to routing, tally, NMOS, workflows and administration.

Bitfocus Buttons is a control system for broadcast and AV environments. It connects to the equipment you already have, such as switchers, routers, tally systems and NMOS devices, and turns that equipment into positions of buttons that operators use from a Stream Deck, a touch screen or a browser. Behind the buttons sit connections, routing, variables and workflows that keep a facility in step without the operator having to think about them. Start with the getting-started guides if Buttons is new to you. Each topic below has a short overview page and a set of task-based guides. Getting started What is Bitfocus Buttons? Install Buttons and get started Find your way around Buttons Installation Choose an installation path Install Buttons on Debian or Ubuntu Deploy Buttons with High Availability Positions and controls Understand positions Create a position Create your first button Surfaces and connections Add and attach a surface Add an ATEM connection Monitor and troubleshoot a connection Routing Understand physical routing Take a physical route Get started with virtual routing Tally and NMOS Understand the Tally system Send ATEM tally and labels to a UMD Discover, adopt, and route NMOS resources Cuelists, variables and workflows Understand Cuelists Use variables in controls and expressions Understand workflows Users, access and security Create and manage users Get started with SSO Secure a Buttons deployment Integrations and the Control API Choose how another system operates Buttons Get started with the Control API Secure and monitor the Control API Administration Configure and monitor scheduled backups Restore a backup and verify it Interpret system health and restart services safely Reference Glossary Expression functions and operators reference Workflow node reference How the routing systems fit together Virtual routing lets you work with logical devices and grouped signals instead of individual ports. Tielines let routes cross boundaries between routing domains, rooms, router islands or sites. The Tally system tells operators and connected devices what is live, selected or contributing. In a real facility all three are often involved at once. Routing a camera bundle to a control room can expand into several signal-level routes, need a tieline between domains, and then update tally outputs so operators and multiviewers show the right state. Buttons keeps that complexity underneath while the operator presses one button.