Cumulocity - Connecting PLCs and Industrial assets
Learn how to connect SIA Connect to Cumulocity and start sending live PLC data directly to your IoT Platform
Connecting SIA Connect to Cumulocity
This guide will show you how to connect your SIA Connect to Cumulocity IoT using the MQTT connector.
By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a live device visible in your Cumulocity platform and ready to receive data — either through the integrated simulator or a physical PLC.
Before importing the configuration file, make sure to install the MQTT and Simulator Connectors. Information on installing connectors can be found here
Start with downloading the configuration file using the link below.
In the SIA Connect GUI import the configuration file, which is done under System → Export and import configuration
Once the configuration file has been imported an instance for Cumulocity has been created along with some items and mappings which are used for the initial setup.
Now, navigate to the newly created Cumulocity Instance and click “Edit Instance”
From here, fill in the required parameters:
All connection information regarding Cumulocity can be found here:
https://cumulocity.com/docs/device-integration/mqtt/#configuring-the-mqtt-connection
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Address | Host – Provide in the URL your tenant domain, for example, mqtt://mytenant.cumulocity.com/mqtt |
| Enabled | True |
| Username | Username – In this case, the username is formed as <tenantID>/<service-user>. You can use the same credentials you use to log into the Cumulocity platform (user alias is not supported). As seen in the example below, for the tenant ID “t76543210” and service user “manga” the username is “t76543210/manga”. |
| Password | Password: The password of the service user. |
Click “Save Instance”
You notice that the imported instance comes with 5 items and 4 mappings. The mappings and the 4 connected items (100,110,115,122) are used to create the initial connection between SIA Connect and Cumulocity. The 5th item is used in mappings when you want to send data to the Cumulocity platform.
Once saved, open your Cumulocity platform and navigate to Device Management → All Devices.
Your newly connected SIA Connect should now appear in the list.
After your SIA Connect is visible in your Cumulocity platform, you should delete the 4 mappings and 4 of the items (100,110,115,122) under the Cumulocity instance on the SIA Connect GUI. These items and mappings are no longer needed.
Sending data from SIA Connect to Cumulocity
You can now send data to your Cumulocity instance using either the integrated simulator or your own connected PLC.
Using the integrated Simulator
The imported configuration file also includes a simulator instance, which can be used to simulate and send data to Cumulocity
Navigate to the “Simulator” Instance and click “Edit Instance”. From here, click “Enable” and “Save Instance”
Create a mapping between the simulated data item and the remaining Cumulocity item (id: 200).
Your mapping setup will look like such:
You can read more about what mappings are and how they work here.
Once configured, simulated data will begin appearing in your Cumulocity dashboard.
Using your own PLC data
If you use any of the supported PLCs, you can map the data directly to Culumocity
Install the right connector for your PLC, you can see all available connectors here and get a guide on how to setup instances and items within.
Create your PLC Instance and Items
Create a mapping between PLC items and the Cumulocity item called “200”
You have now successfully connected your SIA Connect to Cumulocity IoT.
Your device is fully integrated and capable of sending real-time or simulated data to the cloud.
From here, you can:
- Monitor your device data in Cumulocity dashboards
- Connect more PLC's and map their data to Cumulocity