diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index f783756e33..dd1999471b 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 	<groupId>org.springframework.data</groupId>
 	<artifactId>spring-data-mongodb-parent</artifactId>
-	<version>3.1.4-SNAPSHOT</version>
+	<version>3.1.x-GH-3055-SNAPSHOT</version>
 	<packaging>pom</packaging>
 
 	<name>Spring Data MongoDB</name>
diff --git a/spring-data-mongodb-benchmarks/pom.xml b/spring-data-mongodb-benchmarks/pom.xml
index f8c3dd56dd..03a5ab932b 100644
--- a/spring-data-mongodb-benchmarks/pom.xml
+++ b/spring-data-mongodb-benchmarks/pom.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>org.springframework.data</groupId>
 		<artifactId>spring-data-mongodb-parent</artifactId>
-		<version>3.1.4-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>3.1.x-GH-3055-SNAPSHOT</version>
 		<relativePath>../pom.xml</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
diff --git a/spring-data-mongodb-distribution/pom.xml b/spring-data-mongodb-distribution/pom.xml
index 20f6c08ce1..75db30736e 100644
--- a/spring-data-mongodb-distribution/pom.xml
+++ b/spring-data-mongodb-distribution/pom.xml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>org.springframework.data</groupId>
 		<artifactId>spring-data-mongodb-parent</artifactId>
-		<version>3.1.4-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>3.1.x-GH-3055-SNAPSHOT</version>
 		<relativePath>../pom.xml</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
diff --git a/spring-data-mongodb/pom.xml b/spring-data-mongodb/pom.xml
index f6f7f1e384..b2790a9cc8 100644
--- a/spring-data-mongodb/pom.xml
+++ b/spring-data-mongodb/pom.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 	<parent>
 		<groupId>org.springframework.data</groupId>
 		<artifactId>spring-data-mongodb-parent</artifactId>
-		<version>3.1.4-SNAPSHOT</version>
+		<version>3.1.x-GH-3055-SNAPSHOT</version>
 		<relativePath>../pom.xml</relativePath>
 	</parent>
 
diff --git a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ExecutableFindOperation.java b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ExecutableFindOperation.java
index 28dd7dddcc..d67212bdc6 100644
--- a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ExecutableFindOperation.java
+++ b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ExecutableFindOperation.java
@@ -125,6 +125,11 @@ default Optional<T> first() {
 
 		/**
 		 * Get the number of matching elements.
+		 * <p />
+		 * This method uses an {@link com.mongodb.client.MongoCollection#countDocuments(org.bson.conversions.Bson, com.mongodb.client.model.CountOptions) aggregation
+		 * execution} even for empty {@link Query queries} which may have an impact on performance, but guarantees shard,
+		 * session and transaction compliance. In case an inaccurate count satisfies the applications needs use
+		 * {@link MongoOperations#estimatedCount(String)} for empty queries instead.
 		 *
 		 * @return total number of matching elements.
 		 */
diff --git a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/MongoOperations.java b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/MongoOperations.java
index 5a5a3b7fc5..ffa301a280 100644
--- a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/MongoOperations.java
+++ b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/MongoOperations.java
@@ -1160,6 +1160,12 @@ <S, T> T findAndReplace(Query query, S replacement, FindAndReplaceOptions option
 	 * influence on the resulting number of documents found as those values are passed on to the server and potentially
 	 * limit the range and order within which the server performs the count operation. Use an {@literal unpaged} query to
 	 * count all matches.
+	 * <p />
+	 * This method uses an
+	 * {@link com.mongodb.client.MongoCollection#countDocuments(org.bson.conversions.Bson, com.mongodb.client.model.CountOptions)
+	 * aggregation execution} even for empty {@link Query queries} which may have an impact on performance, but guarantees
+	 * shard, session and transaction compliance. In case an inaccurate count satisfies the applications needs use
+	 * {@link #estimatedCount(Class)} for empty queries instead.
 	 *
 	 * @param query the {@link Query} class that specifies the criteria used to find documents. Must not be
 	 *          {@literal null}.
@@ -1176,6 +1182,12 @@ <S, T> T findAndReplace(Query query, S replacement, FindAndReplaceOptions option
 	 * influence on the resulting number of documents found as those values are passed on to the server and potentially
 	 * limit the range and order within which the server performs the count operation. Use an {@literal unpaged} query to
 	 * count all matches.
+	 * <p />
+	 * This method uses an
+	 * {@link com.mongodb.client.MongoCollection#countDocuments(org.bson.conversions.Bson, com.mongodb.client.model.CountOptions)
+	 * aggregation execution} even for empty {@link Query queries} which may have an impact on performance, but guarantees
+	 * shard, session and transaction compliance. In case an inaccurate count satisfies the applications needs use
+	 * {@link #estimatedCount(String)} for empty queries instead.
 	 *
 	 * @param query the {@link Query} class that specifies the criteria used to find documents.
 	 * @param collectionName must not be {@literal null} or empty.
@@ -1187,6 +1199,9 @@ <S, T> T findAndReplace(Query query, S replacement, FindAndReplaceOptions option
 	/**
 	 * Estimate the number of documents, in the collection {@link #getCollectionName(Class) identified by the given type},
 	 * based on collection statistics.
+	 * <p />
+	 * Please make sure to read the MongoDB reference documentation about limitations on eg. sharded cluster or inside
+	 * transactions.
 	 *
 	 * @param entityClass must not be {@literal null}.
 	 * @return the estimated number of documents.
@@ -1200,6 +1215,9 @@ default long estimatedCount(Class<?> entityClass) {
 
 	/**
 	 * Estimate the number of documents in the given collection based on collection statistics.
+	 * <p />
+	 * Please make sure to read the MongoDB reference documentation about limitations on eg. sharded cluster or inside
+	 * transactions.
 	 *
 	 * @param collectionName must not be {@literal null}.
 	 * @return the estimated number of documents.
@@ -1214,6 +1232,12 @@ default long estimatedCount(Class<?> entityClass) {
 	 * influence on the resulting number of documents found as those values are passed on to the server and potentially
 	 * limit the range and order within which the server performs the count operation. Use an {@literal unpaged} query to
 	 * count all matches.
+	 * <p />
+	 * This method uses an
+	 * {@link com.mongodb.client.MongoCollection#countDocuments(org.bson.conversions.Bson, com.mongodb.client.model.CountOptions)
+	 * aggregation execution} even for empty {@link Query queries} which may have an impact on performance, but guarantees
+	 * shard, session and transaction compliance. In case an inaccurate count satisfies the applications needs use
+	 * {@link #estimatedCount(String)} for empty queries instead.
 	 *
 	 * @param query the {@link Query} class that specifies the criteria used to find documents. Must not be
 	 *          {@literal null}.
diff --git a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/MongoTemplate.java b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/MongoTemplate.java
index fdc42119fa..89ff6b3d6c 100644
--- a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/MongoTemplate.java
+++ b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/MongoTemplate.java
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 import org.bson.conversions.Bson;
 import org.slf4j.Logger;
 import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
-
 import org.springframework.beans.BeansException;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationContext;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationContextAware;
@@ -3454,7 +3453,20 @@ public void close() {
 		}
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * @deprecated since 3.1.4. Use {@link #getMongoDatabaseFactory()} instead.
+	 * @return the {@link MongoDatabaseFactory} in use.
+	 */
+	@Deprecated
 	public MongoDatabaseFactory getMongoDbFactory() {
+		return getMongoDatabaseFactory();
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * @return the {@link MongoDatabaseFactory} in use.
+	 * @since 3.1.4
+	 */
+	public MongoDatabaseFactory getMongoDatabaseFactory() {
 		return mongoDbFactory;
 	}
 
diff --git a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveFindOperation.java b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveFindOperation.java
index b66f6e176d..9a65090922 100644
--- a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveFindOperation.java
+++ b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveFindOperation.java
@@ -106,6 +106,12 @@ interface TerminatingFind<T> {
 
 		/**
 		 * Get the number of matching elements.
+		 * <p />
+		 * This method uses an
+		 * {@link com.mongodb.reactivestreams.client.MongoCollection#countDocuments(org.bson.conversions.Bson, com.mongodb.client.model.CountOptions)
+		 * aggregation execution} even for empty {@link Query queries} which may have an impact on performance, but
+		 * guarantees shard, session and transaction compliance. In case an inaccurate count satisfies the applications
+		 * needs use {@link ReactiveMongoOperations#estimatedCount(String)} for empty queries instead.
 		 *
 		 * @return {@link Mono} emitting total number of matching elements. Never {@literal null}.
 		 */
diff --git a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveMongoOperations.java b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveMongoOperations.java
index 2d981fd1b4..a1a0925b70 100644
--- a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveMongoOperations.java
+++ b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveMongoOperations.java
@@ -940,6 +940,12 @@ <S, T> Mono<T> findAndReplace(Query query, S replacement, FindAndReplaceOptions
 	 * influence on the resulting number of documents found as those values are passed on to the server and potentially
 	 * limit the range and order within which the server performs the count operation. Use an {@literal unpaged} query to
 	 * count all matches.
+	 * <p />
+	 * This method uses an
+	 * {@link com.mongodb.reactivestreams.client.MongoCollection#countDocuments(org.bson.conversions.Bson, com.mongodb.client.model.CountOptions)
+	 * aggregation execution} even for empty {@link Query queries} which may have an impact on performance, but guarantees
+	 * shard, session and transaction compliance. In case an inaccurate count satisfies the applications needs use
+	 * {@link #estimatedCount(Class)} for empty queries instead.
 	 *
 	 * @param query the {@link Query} class that specifies the criteria used to find documents. Must not be
 	 *          {@literal null}.
@@ -956,6 +962,12 @@ <S, T> Mono<T> findAndReplace(Query query, S replacement, FindAndReplaceOptions
 	 * influence on the resulting number of documents found as those values are passed on to the server and potentially
 	 * limit the range and order within which the server performs the count operation. Use an {@literal unpaged} query to
 	 * count all matches.
+	 * <p />
+	 * This method uses an
+	 * {@link com.mongodb.reactivestreams.client.MongoCollection#countDocuments(org.bson.conversions.Bson, com.mongodb.client.model.CountOptions)
+	 * aggregation execution} even for empty {@link Query queries} which may have an impact on performance, but guarantees
+	 * shard, session and transaction compliance. In case an inaccurate count satisfies the applications needs use
+	 * {@link #estimatedCount(String)} for empty queries instead.
 	 *
 	 * @param query the {@link Query} class that specifies the criteria used to find documents.
 	 * @param collectionName must not be {@literal null} or empty.
@@ -971,6 +983,12 @@ <S, T> Mono<T> findAndReplace(Query query, S replacement, FindAndReplaceOptions
 	 * influence on the resulting number of documents found as those values are passed on to the server and potentially
 	 * limit the range and order within which the server performs the count operation. Use an {@literal unpaged} query to
 	 * count all matches.
+	 * <p />
+	 * This method uses an
+	 * {@link com.mongodb.reactivestreams.client.MongoCollection#countDocuments(org.bson.conversions.Bson, com.mongodb.client.model.CountOptions)
+	 * aggregation execution} even for empty {@link Query queries} which may have an impact on performance, but guarantees
+	 * shard, session and transaction compliance. In case an inaccurate count satisfies the applications needs use
+	 * {@link #estimatedCount(String)} for empty queries instead.
 	 *
 	 * @param query the {@link Query} class that specifies the criteria used to find documents. Must not be
 	 *          {@literal null}.
@@ -983,6 +1001,9 @@ <S, T> Mono<T> findAndReplace(Query query, S replacement, FindAndReplaceOptions
 	/**
 	 * Estimate the number of documents, in the collection {@link #getCollectionName(Class) identified by the given type},
 	 * based on collection statistics.
+	 * <p />
+	 * Please make sure to read the MongoDB reference documentation about limitations on eg. sharded cluster or inside
+	 * transactions.
 	 *
 	 * @param entityClass must not be {@literal null}.
 	 * @return a {@link Mono} emitting the estimated number of documents.
@@ -996,6 +1017,9 @@ default Mono<Long> estimatedCount(Class<?> entityClass) {
 
 	/**
 	 * Estimate the number of documents in the given collection based on collection statistics.
+	 * <p />
+	 * Please make sure to read the MongoDB reference documentation about limitations on eg. sharded cluster or inside
+	 * transactions.
 	 *
 	 * @param collectionName must not be {@literal null}.
 	 * @return a {@link Mono} emitting the estimated number of documents.
diff --git a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveMongoTemplate.java b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveMongoTemplate.java
index b81a87fa84..48a11ffa09 100644
--- a/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveMongoTemplate.java
+++ b/spring-data-mongodb/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/mongodb/core/ReactiveMongoTemplate.java
@@ -2730,6 +2730,14 @@ protected WriteConcern prepareWriteConcern(MongoAction mongoAction) {
 		return potentiallyForceAcknowledgedWrite(wc);
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * @return the {@link MongoDatabaseFactory} in use.
+	 * @since 3.1.4
+	 */
+	public ReactiveMongoDatabaseFactory getMongoDatabaseFactory() {
+		return mongoDatabaseFactory;
+	}
+
 	@Nullable
 	private WriteConcern potentiallyForceAcknowledgedWrite(@Nullable WriteConcern wc) {
 
diff --git a/src/main/asciidoc/reference/mongodb.adoc b/src/main/asciidoc/reference/mongodb.adoc
index 99e2e0ec70..0986b0a836 100644
--- a/src/main/asciidoc/reference/mongodb.adoc
+++ b/src/main/asciidoc/reference/mongodb.adoc
@@ -2221,6 +2221,7 @@ With the introduction of <<mongo.transactions>> this was no longer possible beca
 So in version 2.x `MongoOperations.count()` would use the collection statistics if no transaction was in progress, and the aggregation variant if so.
 
 As of Spring Data MongoDB 3.x any `count` operation uses regardless the existence of filter criteria the aggregation-based count approach via MongoDBs `countDocuments`.
+If the application is fine with the limitations of working upon collection statistics `MongoOperations.estimatedCount()` offers an alternative.
 
 [NOTE]
 ====