With the launch of MobiusFlow 2.0 earlier this year we take a look in the digital engine bay with our CTO Chris Moorhouse to find out what is driving the new version and why we should be gassing on about the power train upgrades.
Building upon the foundation laid by the original version launched in 2018, when we started working on the new version of MobiusFlow, we had already accumulated six years of feedback from our partners. So when we released the beta version in Q4 of 2023, those who got their hands on it were thrilled to see the latest iteration of our versatile IoT middleware platform.
Built from the ground up...again!
One of the most noticeable improvements in MobiusFlow 2.0 is the revamped user interface. We’ve listened to the feedback from our users and redesigned the interface to be more intuitive, user-friendly, and visually appealing. With streamlined navigation and enhanced usability, users can now navigate through the platform with ease, reducing the learning curve and accelerating their productivity.
MobiusFlow 2.0 is all about efficiency. We’ve optimised the platform to significantly reduce configuration time for both new and existing users. With an intuitive interface and layout, users can now set up and configure their IoT deployments in a fraction of the time it used to take. This not only saves time and resources but also enables organisations to deploy IoT solutions faster and more efficiently than ever before.
But the improvements don’t stop there. MobiusFlow 2.0 comes packed with a host of advanced features and functionality designed to empower users and unlock new possibilities. From enhanced data analytics capabilities to API integration with third-party systems, MobiusFlow 2.0 offers even more flexibility and scalability. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, MobiusFlow 2.0 has the tools you need, where you need them.
A Seamless Transition
For existing users of MobiusFlow, upgrading to version 2.0 is a seamless process. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure backward compatibility, allowing users to mi-grate their existing configurations and data with minimal disruption. With comprehensive migration tools and dedicated support, we are committed to making the transition to MobiusFlow 2.0 as smooth and painless as possible.
New Licensing Models Reduce Cost and Provide Flexibility in Sizing of Licences
The introduction of new licensing models offers significant cost savings and enhanced flexibility for users. These models allow businesses to size their licenses according to their specific needs, ensuring that they only pay for what they require. This approach not only makes it more affordable but also scalable, accommodating growth or changes in business operations without the need for significant additional investment.
Better Licence Management and Status Reporting
Managing licenses has never been easier with the new MobiusFlow Manager application. This tool provides comprehensive oversight and control over all licenses, including detailed status reports. With this centralised management system, administrators can efficiently track, update, and manage all licenses from a single application, streamlining the administrative process.
Licences Never Expire
One of the standout features of the new licensing model is that licenses never expire. This eliminates the hassle of renewing online licenses every 12 months, ensuring uninterrupted service and reducing administrative overhead. Users can now focus on their core activities without worrying about license expirations and renewals.
Additional User Types
The system now supports additional user types, including administrators, editors, and viewers. This granularity allows for more precise control over user permissions and access levels. Administrators can manage the system, editors can modify content, and viewers can access information without the ability to make changes, ensuring a secure and organised operational environment.
Support for Additional Authentication Mechanisms
Enhanced security features are on the horizon with upcoming support for Single Sign-On (SSO) and OAuth authentication mechanisms. These additions will provide users with more secure and convenient ways to access the system, leveraging existing authentication frameworks to simplify the login process and improve security.
Improved Flows Page Integration
The flows page now integrates seamlessly with the main system, no longer requiring a separate login. User types are shared between the engine and flows, ensuring a more cohesive and streamlined user experience. This integration simplifies navigation and enhances operational efficiency.
New “Hot Reload” Feature
The new “Hot Reload” feature is a game-changer, allowing users to update configurations in real-time without any data loss. This capability ensures continuous operation and minimises downtime, providing a more reliable and efficient system management experience.
Unified Configuration and Live Data Page
Configuration and live data are now accessible on the same page, eliminating the need to switch between different pages. This unified interface enhances usability and allows for quicker, more efficient data management and configuration.
Split Toolbox and Engine
The separation of the Toolbox and Engine components allows the engine to be run on smaller devices. This split improves flexibility and scalability, enabling the deployment of the engine in a wider range of environments and devices.
Shared Toolbox Instances
A single instance of the Toolbox can now be shared between multiple Engines. This feature reduces resource consumption and improves management efficiency by centralising the toolbox functionalities while supporting multiple engines.
Enhanced Engine API
Massive improvements to the Engine’s API have streamlined API calls and improved efficiency. Additionally, change of value events can now be streamed over the network using WebSockets, providing real-time data updates and enhancing system responsiveness.
External Configuration Files
Configuration files have been moved outside of Docker containers, making it easier for power users to interact with these files. This change enhances flexibility and simplifies the configuration process, providing users with greater control over their system set-tings.
Custom Object Profiles and Templates
The system now supports custom object profiles paired with custom object templates used in the toolbox. This enhancement simplifies the configuration process, making it easier to create and manage objects tailored to specific requirements.
Improved Live Data Window
The live data window has been improved to handle large datasets more efficiently. This enhancement makes it easier to view and analyze extensive data, providing a more robust and user-friendly interface for data management.
Integrated LoRaWAN Configuration
Configuration of LoRaWAN gateways and devices is now possible directly within the Toolbox. This integration removes the need for a separate LoRaWAN interface and eliminates the additional step of configuring devices in multiple places, streamlining the setup process.
Service Status Dashboard
A simple dashboard in the Toolbox now provides an overview of all service statuses. This feature offers at-a-glance monitoring of system health and performance, allowing for quick identification and resolution of any issues.
Separate Browser Tabs for Flows
Flows can now be opened in a separate browser tab, increasing screen space and im-proving navigation between configuration and flows. This separation enhances the us-er experience by providing a more organised and efficient workspace.
Improved Flow Security
Flows now interact with the Engine via the Engine API, enhancing security. This method ensures that all interactions are secure and that data integrity is maintained, providing a more robust and secure operational environment.
Full Object / Resource Search
A full object/resource search has been added to flows, making it easier to select the correct objects when creating flows. This feature simplifies the flow creation process, saving time and reducing errors.
Named Services
Services can now be named, making it easier to find the correct service. This naming capability improves organisation and management, allowing users to quickly locate and manage the services they need.
We have of course carried over the core features from previous versions of MobiusFlow
Large Library of Device Drivers and Devices Built-In
The platform boasts an extensive library of device drivers and built-in devices, making integration straightforward and efficient. This comprehensive library ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, allowing users to quickly connect and utilise their existing hardware without the need for extensive customisation or additional development work.
Intuitive Drag and Drop User Interface
One of the standout features is the intuitive drag-and-drop user interface. This user-friendly design allows users to effortlessly create and manage workflows, reducing the learning curve and enabling users of all technical backgrounds to harness the power of the platform. The drag-and-drop functionality streamlines the process of setting up and configuring devices, making it accessible and efficient.
Data Normalisation into a Standard Format
Data from various sources and protocols are automatically normalised into a standard format. This normalisation process ensures consistency and compatibility across different systems, facilitating seamless data integration and analysis. Users can confidently work with data from diverse origins, knowing it will be uniformly formatted for easy use and interpretation.
Change-of-Value Event Triggers
The platform includes change-of-value event triggers that notify all relevant services and external applications as soon as new data arrives. This real-time notification sys-tem ensures that updates are immediately processed and acted upon, enhancing the responsiveness and efficiency of the entire system. Users can rely on timely data up-dates to drive their operations and decision-making processes.
Comprehensive RESTful API
A comprehensive RESTful API is available for configuration and data management from external applications. This API provides robust and flexible integration capabilities, allowing developers to easily connect and control the platform programmatically. The API supports a wide range of functions, enabling advanced customisation and integration with other systems and applications.
Easily Combine Multiple Instances
The platform allows for the easy combination of multiple instances into a single complex application. This capability enables users to scale their operations and integrate various components into a cohesive system. By combining instances, users can cre-ate sophisticated applications that leverage the full potential of the platform, address-ing complex needs and scenarios.
“Runs Anywhere” Capability
The platform’s “runs anywhere” capability ensures that it can be deployed in the cloud, on edge gateways, or on the user’s own servers. This flexibility allows users to choose the deployment environment that best suits their operational requirements and constraints. Whether aiming for cloud scalability, edge processing efficiency, or on-premises control, the platform adapts to the user’s needs.
Flow-Based Low-Code Interface
The flow-based low-code interface makes logic and data processing straightforward and efficient. This feature empowers users to build complex workflows and data processing pipelines with minimal coding, reducing development time and effort. The low-code approach democratises the creation of sophisticated data processes, making it accessible to a broader range of users.
Secure by Design
Security is a core aspect of the platform, designed to ensure the protection of data and operations. From secure data transmission to robust access controls, the platform in-corporates comprehensive security measures to safeguard against threats and vulnerabilities. Users can trust that their data and systems are protected, enabling them to focus on leveraging the platform’s capabilities.
In summary, the new licensing models introduced by MobiusFlow significantly reduce costs and provide flexibility in sizing licenses, allowing businesses to only pay for what they need and scale as required. With the new MobiusFlow Manager application, li-cense management and status reporting have become streamlined, offering centralised control and eliminating the hassle of renewing licenses every year.
MobiusFlow’s platform is highly adaptable, capable of running in the cloud, on edge gateways, or on private servers. It features an intuitive drag-and-drop user interface and normalises data from various sources into a standard format, ensuring seamless integration and analysis. Change-of-value event triggers provide real-time updates to all relevant services and applications. The platform’s large library of device drivers and built-in devices, coupled with a flow-based low-code interface, make it easy to set up, configure, and manage devices and workflows securely.
Additionally, the flows page integrates seamlessly with the main system, and the “Hot Reload” feature enables real-time configuration updates without data loss. The unified configuration and live data page, along with the separation of the Toolbox and Engine, improves usability and scalability, allowing the engine to run on smaller devices. Shared Toolbox instances and an enhanced Engine API also contribute to improved efficiency and flexibility.
Ref: 3500-29-02-02-04-0001
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