Introduction
In the ever-evolving landscape of data-driven enterprises, the Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a transformative force, enabling organizations to gather, analyze, and leverage valuable insights from their connected devices. Among the leading IoT platforms, Cumulocity IoT stands out for its seamless device management, data aggregation, and advanced analytics capabilities. However, to fully realize the potential of Cumulocity IoT, seamless integration with existing enterprise systems is crucial.
Unlocking System Integration Possibilities
There is already a very detailed article around the data integration options which can be found here:
In this article, we would like to give an overview on one part of it i.e. System Integration and explore a few of the available system integration options and as well as link them to dedicated articles to offer in-depth guidance on each system integration option.
System Integration Options
Let’s explore a few prominent options:
1. Microservices Approach: Developer-Friendly Integration
For developers seeking a versatile and flexible integration solution, Cumulocity IoT’s microservices approach offers a developer-friendly solution. This method involves creating microservices that connect Cumulocity IoT to external systems, allowing for customized data exchange and automation. While requiring initial development effort, the microservices approach provides greater control and adaptability. The option is utilized by many customers for Integrating with CRM, ERPs, FSM tools.
This article provides a guide to setting up a Cumulocity microservice project in Java, and a corresponding webinar can be found on YouTube
Also, here is an example of a microservice that handles Field Service Management (FSM) or Issue Tracking Systems (ITS). It discusses two options for integrating the microservice with an external FSM/ITS system: asynchronously and synchronously. The microservice provides a domain-specific API and model for service requests. It also allows for configuring priorities and statuses.
2. webMethods.io: A Graphical Gateway to Seamless Integration
For organizations seeking a user-friendly and visual integration platform, webMethods.io Integration stands out as a compelling choice. This iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) solution provides a comprehensive and intuitive interface that simplifies workflow creation and data transformation. With its extensive connector library and extensive documentation, webMethods.io Integration facilitates robust integrations without extensive coding expertise.
It is the only iPaaS solution that provides a full-fledged connector for Cumulocity IoT.
The article here provides examples of three different use cases, such as triggering a workflow on a Cumulocity IoT alarm or batch registration of new devices with Google Spreadsheet.
Another article, available here, delves into the same topics in great detail, acting as a comprehensive guide
In addition to webmethods.io, Cumulocity IoT can connect with any automation tool using its REST APIs. We explored few others as well:
3. Zapier
One of the workflow automation tools we explored is Zapier, which offers integrations for more than 6,500 apps, allowing you to easily move data between them and automate repetitive tasks.
This article provides an example where a device is registered on Cumulocity IoT, and it sends battery values every 5 seconds to Cumulocity IoT. We created an automated way to export all new measurements to a spreadsheet stored on Google Workspace for further analysis.
4. n8n
n8n is a free and source-available fair-code licensed workflow automation tool, allowing you to easily automate tasks across different services. n8n is an extendable workflow automation tool with a fair-code distribution model. It always has visible source code, is available for self-hosting, and enables you to add your custom functions, logic, and apps. The node-based approach of n8n makes it highly versatile, allowing you to connect anything to everything.
This article showcases a multistep automation involving a device registered on Cumulocity IoT which generates alarms of varying severities based on specific conditions. The user intends to automate the creation of a Zendesk ticket for each alarm and, for alarms with CRITICAL severity, trigger an SMS notification to a designated mobile number using Twilio.
5. Make
Formerly known as Integromat, is another automation software we explored. It allows anyone to design, build, and automate anything—from tasks and workflows to apps and systems—without the need for coding skills.
We are currently working on a detailed article where we will attempt to implement a mechanism to sync the asset properties of an asset in Digital Twin Manager with one of the leading ERP tools.
Choosing the Right Integration Option
The choice of system integration option depends on the organization’s specific needs, technical expertise, and integration requirements. Solutions like webMethods.io, Zapier and Make offer flexibility and scalability, simplifying integration for non-developers, while self-hosted solutions like n8n provide greater control and customization.
By carefully evaluating these options, organizations can select the integration solution that best aligns with their unique requirements, empowering them to unlock the full potential of Cumulocity IoT and drive business transformation.