IoT Tips

Connecting to other databases seemed to be a hot desirable from our training feedback. So we've just added a video tutorial in the Wiki for connecting ThingWorx to SQL Server (or SQL Server Express). See topic 7.04 or go to the Video Appendix. In essence connecting to other databases like mySQL or Oracle will work the same way except you will have to change the Database URL and JDBC reference. Also let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed holiday season!

Since the marketplace extension is no longer supported and the drivers may be outdated, you may build your own jdbc package/extension: Download the Extension Metadata file Here Download the appropriate JDBC driver Build the extension structure by creating the directory lib/common Place the JAR file in this directory location: lib/common/<JDBC driver jar file> Modify the name attribute of the ExtensionPackage entity in the metadata.xml file as needed Point the file attribute of the FileResource entity to the name of the JDBC JAR file The metadata also contains a ThingTemplate the name is set to MySqlServer, but can be modified as needed Select the lib folder and metadata.xml file and send to a zip archive Tip: The name of the zip archive should match the name given in the name attribute of the ExtensionPackage entity in the metadata.xml file Import the newly created extension as usual To the JDBC extension, simply create a new thing and assign it the new ThingTemplate that was imported with the JDBC extension Configuration Field Explanation: JDBC Driver Class Name ​Depends on the driver being used Refer to documentation JDBC Connection String ​Defines the information needed to establish a connection with the database Connection string examples can be found in the ThingWorx Help Center ConnectionValidationString ​A simple query that will work regardless of table names to be executed to verify return values from the database   Alternatively, you may download the jdbc connector creator from the marketplace here https://marketplace.thingworx.com/Items/jdbc-connector-extension Then you may just view the mashup and use it to package your jdbc jar into an extension (which can be later imported into ThingWorx).  

  Meet Chris. Chris leads the ThingWorx Flow portfolio, which will be releasing in 8.4. Chris has “a long history with workflow and a lot of interest in it.” He was originally hired as a product manager by Jim Heppelmann [PTC’s CEO] about 20 years ago to build a workflow engine for Windchill, our PLM solution. As a matter of fact, this feature is still a part of Windchill today. Pretty neat, right? We were able to leverage Chris’ workflow expertise and experience to create ThingWorx Flow. Check out more below.   Kaya: Why did we create ThingWorx Flow? What challenge does it solve? Chris: In order for customers to realize the full business value for connected solutions, it typically isn’t enough to just surface an alert to show a dashboard of health. Customers want to automatically do things like create service tickets or automatically order consumables as they run low. To do that—to realize that automated value—you need a couple of things. First, you need to be able to easily connect to enterprise systems (like SAP, Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics) to create service cases. Second, you need to be able to define and execute your business process logic.   Kaya: Can you give me an example? Chris: Definitely. The business process may involve the need to replace a filter based on a contamination alert. After I receive the alert, I need to look up in the bill of materials to find out which filter is applicable to that particular device or product; if it’s not in stock onsite, I need to order it. When it arrives, I then need to schedule the service, knowing that it’s going to be there at a particular time, which entails working with another service system like Salesforce.   So, you have a number of these different enterprise systems that you need to connect to, and you need to support that orchestrated business process to realize the value of a fully automated flow. That’s what has really led us to do it—because, again, the compelling business value in these connected device solutions is often around an automated approach to service or maintenance issues. The value is compelling because automated processes minimize delays, support business growth and scale without hiring as many additional people and eliminate human errors and variability that lead to improved quality at lower costs or stronger margins. Sample ThingWorx Orchestrate Workflow: Send RFQ to Supplier and Add Part to List If State ChangesKaya: So, who ultimately benefits from Flow? Chris: The benefits are realized by an organization as a whole in terms of increased responsiveness, flexibility, reduced costs and higher availability. The ThingWorx solution is unique in that it allows an organization to quickly realize these benefits by optimizing the participation of several key roles. As a result, no role becomes a bottleneck to addressing an urgent business need.   In addition to developers, the many business analysts across the organization are now empowered to define and modify their business processes themselves through Flow. They do this by using the system connections (or subflows) created by their system experts and ThingWorx models that were defined by developers. All of this work is achieved using our visual modeling tool without the need for extensive training.   The system experts can define portions of flows or subflows that get, create or edit information in the systems they understand most within the Flow editor. This enables each role to focus on using their most valuable skills and ultimately eliminates the bottlenecks that cause reduction in business responsiveness when everything must be done by a few highly-specialized experts. Now, developers can leverage the outputs of flows to drive behavior in the application and visualize key KPIs and overall health.   Kaya: So, I see that we’re not only connecting business systems, but we’re also connecting people. We enable them to leverage each other’s different perspectives and areas of expertise. I know we gave developers a sneak peek of ThingWorx Flow in one of our latest posts. Do you have a more detailed demo that we could share this week? Chris: Sure thing. Check this out. (view in My Videos)   Kaya: Wow! I can definitely see how Flow saves immense time in workflow creation. Now, final question: what is your favorite aspect about working at PTC? Chris: The most interesting thing to me is that I get to work with so many different customers in so many different verticals that have such a diverse set of challenging and interesting problems. It’s fun to work together with these customers for us to understand their problems, their unique environments and then to, with them, build solutions using a combination of our products and their existing systems and tooling—that’s what I think is most fascinating.   I learn something new about the way things are made, manufactured, built and serviced every day, and it just makes my life much more interesting. I don’t feel like I’m doing the same thing every day. Working with customers to understand and address their challenges and help them realize their business goals is really rewarding and, again, the diversity of those requests is what makes the job particularly interesting and fascinating.

GOBOT Framework GOBOT is a framework written in Go programming language. Useful for connecting robotic components, variety of hardware & IoT devices.   Framework consists of Robots -> Virtual entity representing rover, drones, sensors etc. Adaptors -> Allows connectivity to the hardware e.g. connection to Arduino is done using Firmata Adaptor, defining how to talk to it Drivers -> Defines specific functionality to support on specific hardware devices e.g. buttons, sensors, etc. API -> Provides RESTful API to query Robot status There are additional core features of the framework that I recommend having a look esp. Events, Commands allowing Subscribing / Publishing events to the device for more refer to the doc There's already a long list of Platforms for which the drivers and adaptors are available. For this blog I will be working with Arduino + Garmin LidarLite v3. There are cheaper versions available for distance measurement, however if you are looking for high performance, high precision optical distance measurement sensor, then this is it. Pre-requisite Install Go see doc Install Gort Install Gobot Wire-up LidarLite Sensor with Arduino How to connect For our current setup I have Arduino connected to Ubuntu 16 over serial port, see here if you are looking for a different platform.   For ubuntu you just need following 3 commands to connect and upload the firmata as our Adaptor to prepare Arduino for connectivity   // Look for the connected serial devices $ gort scan serial // install avrdude to upload firmata to the Arduino $ gort arduino install // uploading the firmata to the serial port found via first scan command, mine was found at /dev/ttyACM0 $ gort arduino upload firmata /dev/ttyACM0 Reading Sensor data Since there is a available driver for the LidarLite, I will be using it in the following Go code below in a file called main.go which connects and reads the sensor data.   For connecting and reading the sensor data we need the driver, connection object & the task / work that the robot is supposed to perform. Adaptor firmataAdaptor := firmata.NewAdaptor("/dev/ttyACM0") // this the port on which for me Arduino is connecting Driver As previously mentioned that Gobot provides several drivers on of the them is LidarLite we will be using this like so   d := i2c.NewLIDARLiteDriver(firmataAdaptor) Work Now that we have the adaptor & the driver setup lets assign the work this robot needs to do, which is to read the distance work := func() { gobot.Every(1*time.Second, func() { dist, err := d.Distance() if err != nil { log.Fatalln("failed to get dist") } fmt.Println("Fetching the dist", dist, "cms") }) } Notice the Every function provided by gobot to define that we want to perform certain action as the time lapses, here we are gathering the distance.   Note: The distance returned by the lidarLite sensor is in CMs & the max range for the sensor is 40m Robot Now we create the robot representing our entity which in this case is simple, its just the sensor itself   lidarRobot := gobot.NewRobot("lidarBot", []gobot.Connection{firmataAdaptor}, []gobot.Device{d}, work)   This defines the vitual representation of the entity and the driver + the work this robot needs to do. Here's the complete code. Before running this pacakge make sure to build it as you likely will have to execute the runnable with sudo. To build simply navigate to the folder in the shell where the main.go exists and execute   $ go build   This will create runnable file with the package name execute the same with sudo if needed like so   $ sudo ./GarminLidarLite   And if everything done as required following ouput will appear with sensor readings printed out every second 2018/08/05 22:46:54 Initializing connections... 2018/08/05 22:46:54 Initializing connection Firmata-634725A2E59CBD50 ... 2018/08/05 22:46:54 Initializing devices... 2018/08/05 22:46:54 Initializing device LIDARLite-5D4F0034ECE4D0EB ... 2018/08/05 22:46:54 Robot lidarBot initialized. 2018/08/05 22:46:54 Starting Robot lidarBot ... 2018/08/05 22:46:54 Starting connections... 2018/08/05 22:46:54 Starting connection Firmata-634725A2E59CBD50 on port /dev/ttyACM0... 2018/08/05 22:46:58 Starting devices... 2018/08/05 22:46:58 Starting device LIDARLite-5D4F0034ECE4D0EB... 2018/08/05 22:46:58 Starting work... Fetching the dist 166 cms Fetching the dist 165 cms Fetching the dist 165 cms Here's complete code for reference   package main import ( "fmt" "log" "time" "gobot.io/x/gobot" "gobot.io/x/gobot/drivers/i2c" "gobot.io/x/gobot/platforms/firmata" ) func main() { lidarLibTest() } // reading Garmin LidarLite data func lidarLibTest() { firmataAdaptor := firmata.NewAdaptor("/dev/ttyACM0") d := i2c.NewLIDARLiteDriver(firmataAdaptor) work := func() { gobot.Every(1*time.Second, func() { dist, err := d.Distance() if err != nil { log.Fatalln("failed to get dist") } fmt.Println("Fetching the dist", dist, "cms") }) } lidarRobot := gobot.NewRobot("lidarBot", []gobot.Connection{firmataAdaptor}, []gobot.Device{d}, work) lidarRobot.Start() }

The purpose of this document is to see how you can setup an MXChip IoT DevKit and also how send the readings of this microprocessor to ThingWorx through an Azure cloud server. You will also learn how to view the values that are being sent.

Connect and Monitor Industrial Plant Equipment Learning Path   Learn how to connect and monitor equipment that is used at a processing plant or on a factory floor.   NOTE: Complete the following guides in sequential order. The estimated time to complete this learning path is 180 minutes.   Create An Application Key  Install ThingWorx Kepware Server Connect Kepware Server to ThingWorx Foundation Part 1 Part 2 Create Industrial Equipment Model Build an Equipment Dashboard Part 1 Part 2

    Step 5: Log to Value Stream   Now that you have explored the Properties of IndConn_Tag1, you’ve seen how ThingWorx Kepware Server feeds information to ThingWorx Foundation. To get an even better indication of changes and confirm continued connectivity, we will log the changes to a Value Stream in order to record the values with a TimeStamp.   Create Value Stream   Return to the ThingWorx Foundation New Composer browser. Click Browse. Click Data Storage -> Value Streams. Click + New. In the Choose Template pop-up, select ValueStream. Click OK. Type IndConn_ValueStream in the Name field. If Project is not already set, click the + in the Project text box and select the PTCDefaultProject. In the Description field, enter an appropriate description, such as Value Stream to record changes from ThingWorx Kepware Server. Click Save.   Bind Value Stream   Open the IndConn_Tag1 either by clicking on the tab at the top, or by clicking on PTCDefaultProject on the left At the top, select General Information. In the Value Stream field, enter indconn. Select IndConn_ValueStream from the sorted list. At the top, select Properties and Alerts. Click Simulation_Examples_Functions_Random3. A new set of options will expand from the right. Check the box for Persistent. Check the box for Logged. Click the Check button to close the expanded options. Click Save. All changes to the Random3 Tag, fed from ThingWorx Kepware Server, are now stored and TimeStamped in the Simulation_Examples_Functions_Random3 Property.   Step 6: Visualize the Data   We'll now create a Mashup to visualize the record of information from ThingWorx Kepware Server. In ThingWorx Foundation's Browse, click Visualization -> Mashups. Click +New. In the New Mashup pop-up, leave the default selections. Click OK. In the Name field, enter IndConn_Mashup. If Project is not already set, click the + in the Project text box and select the PTCDefaultProject. At the top, click Save. At the top, click Design. In the Filter Widgets field at the top-left, enter chart. Drag-and-drop a Line Chart onto the central canvas area. Add Data   On the right-side of the Mashup Builder, click the Data tab. Click the + button on the Data tab.        3. In the Add Data pop-up, enter indconn in the Entity field, overwriting Filter. 4. Select IndConn_Tag1 from the sorted list. 5. In the Filter field below Services, enter queryprop. 6. Click the right arrow button beside QueryPropertyHistory. The QueryPropertyHistory Service of the IndConn_Tag1 Thing will appear on the right in the Selected Services field. 7. Check the box under Execute on Load in the Selected Services field.' 8. Click Done. Note that the QueryPropertyHistory Service now appears on the right side Data tab. 9. Click the arrow to expand QueryPropertyHistory, then click to expand Returned Data. 10. Drag-and-drop All Data from the QueryPropertyHistory Service from the right onto the Time Series Chart in the center. 11. In the Select Binding Target pop-up, select Data.        Configure Chart Properties   In the bottom-left Properties of timeserieschart-1, enter xaxisfield in the Filter Properties field. Expand the drop-down for XAxisField. Select timestamp. Click Save. Click View Mashup. (You may have to enable pop-ups to view the mashup.) The IndConn_Mashup will show you the recorded history of property changes that came from ThingWorx Kepware Server. NOTE: If the Mashup visualization is blank, confirm your connection to IndConn. Return to the Test Connection section of the Bind Industrial Tag step.   Step 7: Next Steps   Congratulations! You've successfully completed the Connect Kepware Server to ThingWorx Foundation guide. You've learned how to: Connect ThingWorx Foundation to ThingWorx Kepware Server Map Tags to Properties     The next guide in the Connect and Monitor Industrial Plant Equipment learning path is Create Industrial Equipment Model. 

Connect Kepware Server to ThingWorx Foundation Guide Part 1   Overview   This guide has step-by-step instructions for connecting ThingWorx Kepware Server to ThingWorx Foundation. This guide will demonstrate how easily industrial equipment can be connected to ThingWorx Foundation without installing any software on production equipment. NOTE: This guide's content aligns with ThingWorx 9.3. The estimated time to complete ALL 2 parts of this guide is 30 minutes.    Step 1: Learning Path Overview     This guide explains the steps to connect ThingWorx Kepware Server with ThingWorx Foundation and is part of the Connect and Monitor Industrial Plant Equipment Learning Path. You can use this guide independently from the full Learning Path. If you want to learn to connect ThingWorx Kepware Server to ThingWorx Foundation, this guide will be useful to you. When used as part of the Industrial Plant Learning Path, you should have already installed ThingWorx Kepware Server and created an Application Key. In this guide, we will send information from ThingWorx Kepware Server into ThingWorx Foundation. Other guides in this learning path will use Foundation's Mashup Builder to construct a website dashboard that displays information and from ThingWorx Kepware Server. We hope you enjoy this Learning Path.   Step 2: Create Gateway   To make a connection between ThingWorx Kepware Server and Foundation Server, you must first create a Thing. WARNING: To avoid a timeout error, create a Thing in ThingWorx Foundation BEFORE attempting to make the connection in ThingWorx Kepware Server. In ThingWorx Foundation Composer, click Browse. On the left, click Modeling -> Things.   Click + NEW. In the Name field, enter IndConn_Server, including matching capitalization. If Project is not already set, click the + in the Project text box and select the PTCDefaultProject. In the Description field, enter an appropriate description, such as Industrial Gateway Thing to connect to ThingWorx Kepware Server.   In the Base Thing Template field, enter indus, then select the IndustrialGateway Thing template from the sorted list. Click Save.   Step 3: Connect to Foundation   Now that you’ve created an IndustrialGateway Thing and an Application Key, you can configure ThingWorx Kepware Server to connect to ThingWorx Foundation. Return to the ThingWorx Kepware Server Windows application. Right-click Project. Select Properties….       4. In the Property Editor pop-up, click ThingWorx.       5. In the Enable field, select Yes from the drop-down.       6. In the Host field, enter the URL or IP address of your ThingWorx Foundation server, Do not enter http://       7. Enter the Port number. If you are using the "hosted" Developer Portal trial, enter 443. 8. In the Application Key field, copy and paste the Application Key you just created. 9. In the Trust self-signed certificates field, select Yes from the drop-down. 10. In the Trust all certificates field, select Yes from the drop-down. 11. In the Disable encryption field, select No from the drop-down if you are using a secure port. Select Yes if you are using an http port. 12. Type IndConn_Server in the Thing name field, including matching capitalization. 13. If you are connecting with a remote instance of ThingWorx Foundation and you expect any breaks or latency in your connection, enable Store and Forward. 14. Click Apply in the pop-up. 15. Click Ok. In the ThingWorx Kepware Server Event window at the bottom, you should see a message indicating Connected to ThingWorx.   NOTE: If you do not see the "Connected" message, repeat the steps above, ensuring that all information is correct. In particular, check the Host, Port, and Thing name fields for errors.   Step 4: Bind Industrial Tag   Now that you've established a connection, you can use ThingWorx Foundation to inspect all available information on ThingWorx Kepware Server. ThingWorx Kepware Server includes some information by default to assist you with verifying a valid connection with ThingWorx Foundation. Create New Thing Return to ThingWorx Foundation. Click Browse. Click Modeling -> Industrial Connections.   Click IndConn_Server. At the top, click Discover.   The Discover option is exclusive to Things inheriting the IndustrialGateway Thing Template and displays information coming from ThingWorx Kepware Server. Expand Simulation Examples. Click Functions.   On the right, you’ll see several pre-defined Tags to assist with connectivity testing. Click the checkbox next to Random3. Click Bind to New Entity.   In the Choose Template pop-up, select RemoteThing and click OK.   Finalize New RemoteThing   You’ll now be in an interface to create a new Thing with a predefined Property based on ThingWorx Kepware Server Tag1. Type IndConn_Tag1 in the Name field. If Project is not already set, click the + in the Project text box and select the PTCDefaultProject. In the Description field, enter an appropriate description, such as Thing with a property fed from an Kepware Server Tag. The Base Thing Template has been automatically set to RemoteThing. The Implemented Shapes has been automatically set to IndustrialThingShape. 4. Click Save.   Test Connection   The IndConn_Tag1 Thing you created now has a Property with a value that will change with each update from ThingWorx Kepware Server. The Tag1 we utilized is a 'ramp' and therefore, the value will increase at regular intervals. At the top, click Properties and Alerts. Under Inherited Properties, you will see entries for both RemoteThing and IndustrialThingShape. The Property isConnected is checked, indicating a connection from Foundation to ThingWorx Kepware Server. The Property IndustrialThing has been automatically set to IndConn_Server. Notice the predefined Property named Simulation_Examples_Functions_Random3.   Click Refresh repeatedly. You’ll see the value increase with each Refresh. This represents data being simulated in ThingWorx Kepware Server. Click  here to view Part 2 of this guide.