Get started with Flows
Introducing Flows
Flows are an advanced tool that leverages IoT data to automate user and business processes.
They are rooted in flow-based programming, a method centred around how data moves between different components. With this approach, flows are designed as a network of interconnected nodes, where data flows through the nodes, triggering specific actions and delivering outcomes.
This makes flow creation visual, intuitive, and scalable, while ensuring the user experience reflects exactly how the system works.
Flows are an advanced functionality of the IoT Platform, designed to enable the creation of complex automations, multi-step processes, and advanced use cases. Their flexibility makes it possible to orchestrate comprehensive workflows, integrate diverse systems, and scale automations as requirements grow.
Key Benefits:
- Clarity: A large canvas provides a clear visualisation of the entire flow.
- Flexibility: Modular design makes it easy to extend, update, or reuse components.
- Transparency: The UI mirrors system processes, reducing the chance of misinterpretation.
- Powerful logic options: A wide range of components allows users to build highly customised flows.
- Efficiency: Visual debugging tools (coming soon*) will make it simple to identify issues and optimise workflows.
How to Use Flows
This section introduces the core building blocks of Flows and provides practical examples with visualisations.
1. List
Flows list provides flow name, description, status and editing options. You can search for a flow by the name and the description.
2. Canvas
- The canvas is your main working area.
- Drag and drop components to build nodes.
- Connect nodes by linking their input/output points.
- Zoom in/out, focus, or lock options for map navigation.
3. Toolbar
Provides quick access to navigation, saving, and flow details, including ownership information and management options.
4. Components Library
The Component Library contains all available building blocks, grouped by category. Each component includes a description, input/output format, and usage example.
See extensive list of all components here.
5. Nodes
When a component is dragged from the library and dropped into the canvas, it becomes a single node. Each node has a specific role, such as providing data, applying conditions, or triggering actions. Together, they form a logical flow that is easier to understand, test, and optimise.
They consist of:
- Node on the canvas - representing data (e.g., device data, assets) or logic.
- Edit menu with description - a configuration panel with details about the node’s purpose and settings.
6. Edit menu
Each node on the canvas comes with an edit menu, which allows you to configure its behaviour and understand its purpose.
The edit menu typically includes:
- Name - both for component and node.
- Description - explains what the node does.
- Inputs / Outputs - shows what kind of data the node receives and produces.
- Configuration options - parameters you can set.
- Delete - action for removing the node from the canvas.
7. Connections
Connections are the lines that link nodes together and define how data flows between them.
- To connect nodes, drag a line from the output of one node to the input of another.
- Clicking a connection line highlights it and allows you to delete it if needed.
See more
Now you know the basics, it’s time to test your first flow. Feel free to explore components library or visit examples section to get some inspiration.