In the rapidly evolving world of industrial automation, staying competitive means more than just gathering data, it means turning it into real-time decisions that drive uptime, efficiency, and growth.
Industrial systems are generating large volumes of operational data, but without efficient tools for real-time processing, smart visualization, and actionable analytics, this data remains underutilized. That’s where the integration of ALPON X4 by Sixfab with Ubidots, a leading IIoT platform for predictive maintenance and industrial automation, becomes a game-changer. ALPON X4, Sixfab’s industrial-grade edge computer, combines with Ubidots’ no-code IIoT platform to deliver real-time analytics, remote control, and predictive maintenance — all without writing a single line of backend code.
What is Ubidots?
An Intuitive, No-Code IIoT Platform for Predictive Maintenance
Ubidots is a modern Industrial IoT platform that empowers businesses to collect, analyze, and visualize sensor data without writing complex code. Built with a focus on simplicity and flexibility, Ubidots enables predictive maintenance, machine monitoring, and energy management through:
- Drag-and-drop Dashboards for live data visualization
- Smart Alerts & Triggers for real-time decision making
- Scheduled Reports to track KPIs over time
- Advanced Data Analytics for deep insight into machine behavior
- Device and User Management with role-based access
Whether you’re building smart factories or retrofitting legacy systems, Ubidots provides the tools to make your data work for you.
Why ALPON X4 is the Perfect Edge Device for Ubidots
To fully unlock the capabilities of Ubidots in industrial environments, you need a high-performance edge computing device that can handle real-time data processing, offer reliable connectivity, and ensure secure operation even in harsh conditions. ALPON X4 is purpose-built for industrial IoT edge deployments. Powered by the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, it features Gigabit Ethernet, built-in LTE with multiple eSIM profiles, Wi-Fi, and TPM 2.0 security, making it ideal for securely capturing and sending industrial sensor data to Ubidots.
ALPON X4 × Ubidots: A Complete Edge-to-Cloud IIoT Solution
Combining ALPON X4 with Ubidots creates a full-stack solution that captures, processes, and visualizes data from the edge to the cloud. Here’s what this setup delivers:
✅ Real-time Monitoring
Stream data directly from sensors to Ubidots dashboards using ALPON X4’s reliable LTE or Ethernet connection.
✅ Predictive Maintenance
Process data locally on ALPON X4 to detect anomalies early, then trigger alerts and maintenance actions in Ubidots.
✅ Reduced Latency
Edge computing enables faster response times and minimizes bandwidth by preprocessing data before it’s sent to the cloud.
✅ Remote Access & Control
Ubidots’ web-based dashboards allow you to manage your devices and monitor equipment performance from anywhere.
✅ Easy Integration
With MQTT, HTTP, and HTTPS support, ALPON X4 effortlessly connects to Ubidots via secure API endpoints.
Key Features of ALPON X4 for Ubidots Integration
Edge Computing at Scale: On-device processing with low latency.
Robust Connectivity: Built-in LTE with eSIM, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi.
Enhanced Security: TPM 2.0, secure boot, VPN tunneling, encrypted communication.
High Performance: Raspberry Pi CM4 handles multi-threaded workloads with ease.
Use Cases: ALPON X4 & Ubidots in Action
Predictive Maintenance
Industrial machinery is often subjected to stress, vibration, and fluctuating temperatures. These conditions can lead to gradual component degradation. With ALPON X4 acting as a local data hub, sensors such as accelerometers, thermocouples, and pressure transducers can be connected via GPIO, I2C, or USB interfaces. ALPON X4 processes this data locally using Python or Node-RED, filters noise, and forwards meaningful values (e.g., RMS vibration, peak temperature) to Ubidots over MQTT.
In Ubidots, the data is analyzed using time-series functions and anomaly detection models to identify patterns that indicate impending failures—like increased vibration amplitude before a bearing failure or temperature rise due to friction. Maintenance teams receive alerts when predefined thresholds or predictive models are triggered.
Industrial Automation
Automation systems thrive on real-time responsiveness. ALPON X4, with its GPIO pins and USB interfaces, can easily connect to PLCs, relays, and industrial actuators.Based on incoming data from sensors or cloud-based rules defined in Ubidots, ALPON X4 can trigger actions such as starting a motor, opening a valve, or stopping a production line.
Smart Agriculture
ALPON X4 can collect real-time data from a wide range of field sensors, including soil moisture probes, temperature and humidity sensors, rain detectors, and solar radiation meters. This data is transmitted to Ubidots, where it is visualized through interactive dashboards and used to define intelligent irrigation strategies based on actual field conditions.
By automating irrigation processes using live sensor input, agricultural companies can reduce water consumption, minimize operational inefficiencies, and improve crop performance across large-scale operations. Over time, the historical data and analytics provided by Ubidots enable more informed decisions around planting schedules, resource allocation, and yield optimization.
Smart Energy Management
Track energy consumption and manage peak usage times by integrating ALPON X4’s real-time data acquisition with Ubidots’ advanced analytics. ALPON X4 can gather detailed data from energy meters, flow sensors, and power distribution systems, providing critical insights into energy consumption across various oil and gas operations.
By leveraging Ubidots, energy consumption patterns are visualized, and companies can identify inefficiencies or excessive usage during peak demand periods. With this information, oil and gas operators can implement smarter energy management strategies—such as scheduling non-critical equipment maintenance or optimizing load distribution across different facilities—to minimize costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
Getting Started: Connecting ALPON X4 to Ubidots
Step 1: Prepare Your ALPON X4
- Power up your ALPON X4 and ensure it’s connected to the internet via LTE, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet.
- Log in to your Sixfab Connect dashboard.
Step 2: Deploy Your Application
- Use Docker on ALPON X4 to deploy a lightweight client that sends data to Ubidots.
- Suggested container: mqtt-client or python-uplink-agent depending on your protocol.
Step 3: Send Data to Ubidots
- Configure MQTT or HTTP clients to connect to industrial.api.ubidots.com.
- Use your Ubidots TOKEN and set up variables (e.g., temperature, vibration, power_usage).
Step 4: Visualize and Automate
- Head to your Ubidots Dashboard.
- Create widgets, alerts, and reports with no coding needed.
📖 For a step-by-step integration guide, check out: Connecting Edge Devices to Ubidots via MQTT
Secure, Scalable, and Smart: Build IIoT with Confidence
With ALPON X4’s industrial-grade reliability and Ubidots’ powerful data platform, you get a scalable, secure, and smart solution for Industrial IoT. Whether you’re optimizing uptime, automating workflows, or launching a digital transformation initiative—this edge-to-cloud combo helps you succeed.
🔗 Learn more about ALPON X4 and start building your smart industrial project today!