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Sumit Shinde
Technical Writer
Sumit Shinde is a Technical Writer at FlowFuse specializing in industrial automation and manufacturing. In the past three years, he has built industrial applications and authored more than 100 technical articles covering industrial connectivity, unified data architecture, production metrics, and quality management for modern manufacturing.
Industrial AutomationManufacturing SystemsIndustrial IoT (IIoT)Industry 4.0Industrial ConnectivityIndustrial ProtocolsEdge ComputingIndustrial Data ArchitectureUnified Namespace (UNS)MES IntegrationOEE CalculationProduction and Quality AnalyticsTechnical Writing
Articles by Sumit Shinde
5 Manufacturing Dashboard Examples for Production, OEE & Quality
Learn what makes an effective manufacturing dashboard and see five examples for tracking production performance, equipment efficiency, downtime, and quality.
What Is Statistical Process Control in Manufacturing
Statistical process control explained: how SPC charts work, how they apply in the manufacturing space, and what to look for in SPC software.
Tracking Instrument Calibration with a Digital Dashboard
Build a calibration status dashboard in FlowFuse: work out overdue, due-soon and compliance figures from due dates, filter by department and time window, and let operators check a tool at the station with a camera.
What Is Instrument Calibration (Equipment Calibration)?
Learn what instrument calibration is, how it differs from verification and adjustment, what a calibration record should contain, how intervals are set, and how manufacturers can manage calibration status more effectively.
Ishikawa Fishbone Diagram: 6M, Manufacturing Example & Template
Learn what an Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram is, the 6Ms, and how to use it for root cause analysis in manufacturing, with a worked example, how it compares to the 5 Whys and Pareto analysis, a template, and common mistakes.
Building Digital Work Instructions Dashboard for the Shop Floor
Learn how to build digital work instructions with FlowFuse. Create personalized operator apps with work orders, guided steps, defect reporting, and traceability.
Handling Clock Drift in Distributed Edge Devices
Learn how to prevent clock drift on distributed edge devices using NTP, local time servers, and FlowFuse to ensure accurate timestamps and reliable IIoT data.
Build a Defect Tracking and Quality Monitoring Dashboard
Build a FlowFuse dashboard that tracks production defects, ranks them with a Pareto chart, surfaces root causes, and totals your cost of poor quality, filtered live by line, shift, and date
Software-Defined Manufacturing: Improve Without Hardware Changes
Software-defined manufacturing (SDM) is changing how factories improve operations. Learn what SDM means, why traditional manufacturing software falls short, and how FlowFuse helps manufacturers build and manage industrial applications that evolve without large-scale modernization projects.
Build a Machine Downtime Tracking Application
Learn how to build a machine downtime tracking application in FlowFuse that captures stop and start events over MQTT, calculates downtime duration automatically, lets operators log a reason from a dashboard, and displays live KPI cards.
Why Manufacturing Needs GitOps
Manufacturing has always managed change on the factory floor with discipline. Learn how GitOps and FlowFuse DevOps Pipelines bring that same rigor to industrial software deployments.
Control and Track Machines on the Factory Floor
Learn how to connect FlowFuse to a Siemens S7 PLC, build an operator dashboard to control a motor and stack light, and automatically track device runtime using the Hourglass node.
Turning an Application Idea into an Architecture
Learn how to turn industrial application ideas into clear architectures using a structured four-step framework based on FlowFuse building blocks.
Historical Data Logging with OPC UA and InfluxDB
Learn how to connect OPC UA and InfluxDB in FlowFuse to log industrial equipment data as timestamped history, so you can spot trends, prove compliance, and catch failures before they happen.
Processing RTSP Camera Feeds at the Edge
Learn how to use the FlowFuse RTSP Video Feed node to pull frames from a camera stream, display them on a dashboard, and feed them to local AI models, without sending video off-site.
Fixing PLC Communication Latency: Where the Milliseconds Really Go
Troubleshoot PLC communication latency by identifying common causes such as poll rates, timeout settings, connection limits, and protocol selection.
Why Downtime Spreadsheets Fail and How to Automate Detection and Escalation
Build an event-driven workflow in FlowFuse that detects machine stops instantly, auto-escalates to supervisor and maintenance, and logs accurate timestamped downtime records, no spreadsheet required.
MQTT vs Sparkplug B: Which One (or Both) Do You Need?
A practical guide to choosing between plain MQTT and Sparkplug B for industrial IoT: where MQTT's flexibility turns into a topic-namespace mess, what Sparkplug B's structure, binary payloads, and birth/death certificates fix, the QoS 0 trade-off nobody mentions, and why most large deployments end up running both.
Node-RED 5 Is Here: What It Means for Industrial Teams
Node-RED 5 reshapes the editor with redesigned sidebars, an Explorer panel, and a built-in dark theme. Here's what changes for teams running it in production on FlowFuse, and how to upgrade your instances.
OPC UA Security: How to Establish a Defensible OPC UA Security Architecture
Turn every OPC UA attack vector into a configuration decision you control: Reverse Connect to keep the firewall closed, enforced trust lists, SignAndEncrypt, GDS certificate management, RBAC, and the field anti-patterns that quietly undo all of it.
How Arch Systems Connected 100+ Factory Databases with FlowFuse
Arch Systems connects 100+ factory databases to a single analytics platform using FlowFuse. See how standardized subflows and DevOps pipelines made each new integration cheap to build and cheap to maintain.
OPC UA Security: How Threat Actors Exploit Industrial Protocol Vulnerabilities
Most OPC UA breaches don't crack the protocol's encryption. They walk through disabled trust lists, anonymous logins, stale ciphers, and servers left on the open internet. This post breaks down how attackers actually exploit OPC UA, vector by vector, drawing on research from Claroty, Bitsight, CISPA, Secura, and Kaspersky.
NIS2 Compliance for Manufacturers: Why IEC 62443 Is the Missing Standard
NIS2 tells you what to do, not how. IEC 62443 is the technical standard regulators, accredited bodies, and auditors keep pointing to. Here is where to start.
See Every Logic Change in Your IIoT MOC Review with Git-Style Diffs
Most IIoT teams have a MOC process. What they lack is visibility into the actual logic change. FlowFuse snapshot comparison shows reviewers exactly what shifted between deployments, node by node, line by line, before anything is deployed.
All-or-Nothing Manufacturing Software Is Killing Your Agility
Stop waiting years for manufacturing software projects to deliver value. See how FlowFuse enables composable industrial applications built around your operation.
How to Build Industrial Apps With FlowFuse AI Expert
FlowFuse Expert now builds applications from a description. Here's what that looks like, what Expert understands about your environment, and how to keep iterating.
OEE Is Misleading Your Factory: Here's How to Fix It
Most factories measure OEE wrong. Manual logs miss small stops, definitions drift, and operators game the score. A practical look at what to do about it.
The Rosetta Stone for Factories: Why IIoT Needs a Common Language First
Discover why IIoT data integration fails at scale and how the Unified Namespace, OPC-UA, and MQTT create a common industrial data language that compounds value with every system you add.
Diagnosing Modbus Degradation: From CRC Errors to TCP Timeouts
Modbus doesn't fail loudly. It drifts. This guide covers how to diagnose serial vs. TCP failures, eliminate dead device overhead, and build the metrics layer that tells you something is wrong before your operators do.
Cloud, Edge, or Both? How to Choose Your Deployment Before an Outage Does It For You
Cloud, edge, or hybrid? Learn how to choose the right FlowFuse deployment model for your industrial workflows - before an outage exposes the wrong architecture.
How to Stop Noisy Sensor Data from Flooding Your Industrial System
Learn how to implement a deadband filter in FlowFuse to suppress noisy sensor data from PLCs, temperature probes, and flow meters. Step-by-step guide using the built-in filter node on FlowFuse.
IT vs. OT: Who Actually Owns the Edge?
Most edge deployments do not fail because of technology. They fail because IT and OT never agreed on ownership. This article breaks down where that tension comes from, what it costs, and how to fix it.
How to Connect Industrial Edge Devices to AWS IoT Core
Learn how to connect FlowFuse to AWS IoT Core using MQTT and X.509 certificates. This step-by-step guide covers creating an IoT Thing, generating certificates, configuring policies, and publishing your first message from FlowFuse.
The Real Cost of Over-Engineered Industrial Systems
Most industrial systems don't fail because of bad technology. They fail because of too much of it. Here's what over-engineered infrastructure is actually costing your facility, and what a different decision looks like.
Most Modbus Polling Setups Are Wrong: Here's How to Fix Yours
Most Modbus polling problems aren't hardware failures. They're three configuration mistakes made at commissioning and never revisited. Here's how to fix them.
Why OPC UA Is Not Replacing Modbus (Yet)
OPC UA has every technical advantage. Modbus is still winning. Here's why the replacement hasn't happened and what would actually change that.
How to Parse Binary Data from Serial Devices
Learn how to decode binary data from any legacy serial device in Node-RED. This guide walks through frame validation, byte mapping, and bitfield parsing using a real industrial weighing scale example
5 Places Smart Factories Are Already Using AI
Most manufacturers are still debating AI adoption. These five use cases are already running in production, cutting downtime, scrap, energy costs, and injury rates.
How to Monitor Industrial Network Health Using SNMP
Learn how to monitor industrial network health using SNMP and FlowFuse. Poll OIDs, visualize device telemetry, and detect failures before they impact operations.
Edge vs Cloud AI in Manufacturing: Where Each Actually Belongs
Industrial AI works best when edge and cloud are treated as complementary layers. This article explores how manufacturers use hierarchical architectures to combine real-time inference on the plant floor with large-scale model training in the cloud.
How to Connect to Beckhoff TwinCAT PLC Using ADS (2026)
Learn how to connect Beckhoff TwinCAT to FlowFuse using ADS. This guide covers AMS routing, TwinCAT software PLC setup, and reading and writing PLC variables with node-red-contrib-ads-client.
The Last Mile Problem in Industrial AI
Your AI pilot passed every test and stalled before production. Here is why that keeps happening, and what it actually takes to stop it.
How to Stop Silent Pipeline Failures From Swallowing Your IIoT Data
Most IIoT pipelines fail quietly. No record, no alert, no way to know what was lost. This guide shows you how to build a fault-tolerant data pipeline that catches every failure, retries intelligently, and gives you full visibility into what went wrong, when it happened, and how to fix it.
The Bus Factor Problem in Integration Systems
Learn how integration systems quietly become one-person knowledge traps, and what it actually takes to fix it.
Edge AI Is 80% Plumbing, 20% Intelligence
Learn how manufacturers are turning Edge AI pilots into production reality, and why the plumbing matters more than the model.
How to Build an MQTT-to-InfluxDB Data Pipeline (2026)
Learn how to build a reliable MQTT-to-InfluxDB data pipeline using FlowFuse and Node-RED. No custom scripts, no glue code, just a visual flow that is easy to maintain and hand off.
Modbus TCP vs Modbus RTU: Reliability, Latency, and Failure Modes
A practical engineering guide to choosing between Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP, covering real latency numbers, failure modes that hide in plain sight, and how each protocol behaves when things go wrong.
Building an AI Vibration Anomaly Detector for Industrial Motors
Learn how to monitor industrial motors continuously, train a custom autoencoder on healthy vibration data, and deploy real-time anomaly detection in Node-RED.
CAN Bus Tutorial: Connect to Dashboards, Cloud, and Industrial Systems
Learn how to set up SocketCAN on Linux, configure CAN interfaces, and build CAN bus applications using FlowFuse's visual programming platform.
Event-Driven Architecture: 99% of Your System Requests Are Worthless
Learn how Event-Driven Architecture enables real-time responsiveness in manufacturing by allowing systems to react instantly to production events, replacing traditional request-response models with automated, parallel processing.
Mapping MTConnect Streams for Dashboard Visualization
Learn how to connect FlowFuse to MTConnect agents, parse machine data streams, and build real-time manufacturing dashboards without custom code.
Shop Floor AI: Dead on Arrival Without This
Industrial AI doesn't fail because of bad models - it fails because of bad architecture. Discover why signals need context and how a Unified Namespace makes AI work on the shop floor.
MQTT vs CoAP: Measure Your Constraints or Pick Wrong
Learn whether MQTT or CoAP fits your IoT deployment. Learn how device constraints, power budgets, and network architecture determine the right protocol for reliable, efficient IoT systems.
Agentic AI Reads OPC UA Servers So You Don't Have To
Learn how agentic AI transforms OPC UA server investigations, automating data access, analysis, and root cause detection to turn hours of manual work into minutes.
Why Modbus Refuses to Die
Learn why Modbus, a 47-year-old protocol with zero security, still dominates industrial automation despite billions invested in modern alternatives
MQTT vs OPC UA: Why This Question Never Has a Straight Answer
MQTT vs OPC UA isn't a real choice; they solve different problems. Learn when to use each protocol based on your actual requirements, not vendor marketing.
Beyond Kepware: Why Modern Industrial Connectivity Demands a Second Look
Kepware became the default when industrial connectivity was hard. Today, its pricing model, scaling costs, and private-equity ownership make it a growing risk. Here's why it's time to re-evaluate.
What Is a System Integrator? Understanding Manufacturing's Most Misunderstood Role
System integrators connect factory equipment to business systems, turning separate technologies into integrated solutions. Learn what they do, why they matter, and how modern tools are changing industrial integration.
Integrating Git within Node-RED Workflow with FlowFuse
Learn how to integrate Git version control into your Node-RED workflows using FlowFuse's DevOps pipeline stages for better collaboration and change management.
The Node-RED Story: How Visual Programming Escaped the Lab and Conquered Industry
Read how Node-RED evolved from Nick O'Leary's weekend IBM project into a global phenomenon, powering millions of home assistance setups, sparking a Raspberry Pi revolution, building a 4,300+ node community, and conquering industrial IoT with FlowFuse's enterprise platform.
Mean Time to Failure (MTTF): Formula, Calculation, MTTF vs MTBF vs MTTR, and More
Learn what Mean Time to Failure (MTTF) means, how to calculate it with real examples, industry benchmarks, and how to use MTTF data to improve equipment reliability and maintenance planning.
What Is a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)? What It Does, How It Works, and Where It's Used
What a PLC is, the seven parts inside it, how the scan cycle works, which protocols PLCs speak, and how to get PLC data into the systems that need it.
Node-RED Timer Tutorial: Create Stopwatch and Countdown Timers
Node-RED timer tutorial showing how to implement stopwatch and countdown timers for industrial automation and IoT applications.
Five Whys Root Cause Analysis: Definition, Steps & Examples (2026)
Learn the five Whys root cause analysis method in 2026: step-by-step process, real examples from Toyota, templates, and best practices to solve recurring problems permanently.
What is TEEP? Calculation, Benchmarks & TEEP vs OEE (2026)
Your equipment sits idle 16+ hours daily. TEEP in 2026 measures this, OEE ignores it. Get the formula, learn when 35% TEEP beats 60%, and turn hidden capacity into profit without capital investment.
MQTT vs Kafka: Complete Comparison Guide 2026
MQTT vs Kafka comparison guide: Discover the key differences between Apache Kafka and MQTT messaging protocols. Learn which is best for IoT, industrial automation, and real-time data streaming with practical examples and use cases
Node-RED Buffer Parser Guide: Decode Modbus and Industrial Device Data (2026)
Learn how to parse Modbus and industrial device buffers in Node-RED using the Buffer Parser node. Visual configuration, no coding required. Handle endianness and scaling easily.
Building a Weather Dashboard in Node-RED (2026)
Learn how to build a real-time weather dashboard in Node-RED using the OpenWeather API and FlowFuse Dashboard.
How to Access Optimized Data Blocks in TIA Portal (S7-1200/1500)
Learn how to read Siemens S7-1200/1500 optimized data blocks using OPC UA and FlowFuse. Step-by-step guide with symbolic addressing for reliable PLC integration.
How to Optimize Industrial Data Communication with Protocol Buffers
Stop transmitting waste. Learn how Protocol Buffers reduces industrial IoT data size by 60% using FlowFuse. Implementation takes one afternoon with three nodes and a schema file, no coding required.
How to Protect Your Factory From Bad Data: A Must-Have Read for IIoT
Build a bulletproof data validation gateway that catches corrupted sensor readings, malformed MQTT payloads, and drifting PLC data before they wreak havoc on your factory floor.
Store-and-Forward at the Edge: Buffering Production Data During Network Outages
Learn how to implement store-and-forward buffering for data collection. This guide shows you how to build an edge system with FlowFuse that maintains complete data continuity during network outages, preventing production data loss and compliance gaps.
Building a Web HMI for Factory Equipment Control
Build a modern HMI using FlowFuse to monitor and control factory equipment from any browser
Building a Label Scanner with FlowFuse for Product Labels & Serial Numbers
Step-by-step guide to building an OCR system in FlowFuse for scanning product labels, extracting text, and validating serial numbers using Node-RED flows.
How to Ingest CSV Logs into MQTT, Databases, and Dashboards
Learn how to ingest CSV logs from PLCs and SCADA systems into MQTT brokers, databases, and dashboards. Build real-time and batch processing pipelines with Node-RED and FlowFuse.
How to Connect Any PLC to MQTT in Under an Hour
Learn how to extract data from Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Omron, Mitsubishi, OPC UA, and Modbus, transform it, and publish to MQTT using FlowFuse, without expensive gateways or consultants.
How to Log PLC Data to CSV Files
Learn how to reliably log PLC data to CSV files using FlowFuse, handling connection drops, file corruption, and timestamp drift.
Introducing FlowFuse Expert
Meet FlowFuse Expert that gives you a clear recipe to build Node-RED flows, step by step.
Building MCP Servers for AI Agent Integration in Node-RED with FlowFuse
Learn how to build a fully functional MCP server in Node-RED with FlowFuse, enabling AI agents like Claude, Gemini, and GPT to access data, perform actions, and streamline industrial operations using a low-code approach.
EtherNet/IP Integration with FlowFuse: Communicating with Allen-Bradley PLCs
Learn how to integrate Allen-Bradley PLCs with FlowFuse using EtherNet/IP. This guide covers connected and unconnected messaging, reading and writing tags, and building industrial automation workflows in Node-RED.
What's the Difference Between Node-RED and FlowFuse
Learn the key differences between Node-RED and FlowFuse. Discover how FlowFuse adds enterprise security, team collaboration, device management, and observability to Node-RED, making it ready for production at scale.
Modbus RTU (RS485/RS422/RS232) Communications with FlowFuse
Learn how to connect Modbus RTU devices to Node-RED with FlowFuse. This guide covers Modbus basics, serial setup, register mapping, and reading/writing data for industrial automation and IIoT.![Image representing Takt Time: Definition, Formula, How to Calculate with Examples & More [2026 Edition]](/blog/2025/09/images/takt-time-flowfuse.png)
Takt Time: Definition, Formula, How to Calculate with Examples & More [2026 Edition]
Complete guide to takt time in manufacturing. Learn the formula, calculation methods, implementation strategies, and how to overcome common challenges. Includes real-world examples and troubleshooting tips.
Download Node-RED for Production: Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi (2026)
Learn how to install and run Node-RED on various platforms, such as local computer, Raspberry Pi, Mac, Linux, or Cloud. Production-ready solutions from the creators of Node-RED.
Query Your Database with Natural Language Using FlowFuse Expert
Learn the easiest way to connect to your database and get data, no coding knowledge required.
Integrating LoRaWAN with FlowFuse
Learn how to easily integrate LoRaWAN devices with FlowFuse using TTN. This comprehensive guide covers MQTT setup, data processing methods, and real-time sensor data visualization for scalable IoT applications.
Poka Yoke (Poke Yoke, Bokayoke) Explained: Definition, Examples, Types (2026)
Learn how poka yoke prevents manufacturing defects before they happen. Discover the four types of mistake-proofing and how to implement poka yoke in your factory.
What is 5S Checklist: Definition, Benefits, Implementation, and Template
Learn what a 5S checklist is, how it improves work area organization, and how to implement it easily with FlowFuse, plus get a ready-to-use template.
IT vs OT: Key Differences, Security Risks, and IT/OT Convergence
IT vs OT explained for manufacturing (2026). Learn the key differences, security risks, and how to securely converge IT and OT systems without downtime or safety issues.
Preventive Maintenance in Manufacturing: Avoid Multi-Million Dollar Equipment Failures
Unplanned downtime costs manufacturers millions. Learn how preventive maintenance software and data platforms like FlowFuse cut failures, boost OEE, and deliver lasting ROI.
How to Create a Pareto Chart for Manufacturing Data
Learn how to create a Pareto Chart to identify the vital few defects in your production data. Step-by-step guide with live data integration, visualization, and actionable insights.
FlowFuse API for Industry: Automating Node-RED Instances, Devices, and CI/CD Tasks
Use the FlowFuse API to simplify industrial automation, reduce manual tasks, and streamline deployments.
Pareto Chart & Diagram: What It Is, Formula, Examples & Manufacturing Applications
Learn how Pareto Charts and diagrams help manufacturing teams reduce defects by 80%. Includes formula, real examples, and applications in quality control & maintenance.
Orchestrating Virtual Power Plants: How Low-Code Platforms Bridge the Gap
learn how low-code platforms like FlowFuse and Node-RED simplify the integration and management of distributed energy resources, making Virtual Power Plants a scalable reality.
Building Historical Data Dashboard with FlowFuse Tables
Learn how to Build a powerful historical data dashboard for your Industrial IoT applications using FlowFuse Tables.
OPC UA Tutorial: Advanced Monitoring with Subscriptions, Alarms, and Historical Data
Learn advanced OPC UA techniques in Node-RED: real-time subscriptions, alarm handling, historical data queries, and method calls for production-ready industrial systems.
FlowFuse's New Database: The Easiest Way to Store Industrial IoT Data
FlowFuse now includes a built-in PostgreSQL database, making it easier to manage Industrial IoT data directly within your Node-RED projects. Learn how to enable the feature, create tables, run SQL queries, and use dynamic parameters with the Query node.
FlowFuse Expert: Let Your Engineers Build Automation, Not Write Code
FlowFuse Expert helps manufacturing teams write Node-RED function nodes, parse machine data, and create custom dashboards. Learn how it works with real examples.
Statistical Process Control (SPC): Benefits and Implementation Guide
Learn how to build real-time SPC charts using Node-RED and FlowFuse for manufacturing quality control.
OPC UA Tutorial: Connect and Exchange Data with Industrial Equipment
OPC UA tutorial: Connect Node-RED to industrial PLCs step-by-step. Configure Kepware endpoints, read/write Siemens S7 tags, browse Allen-Bradley data. Free guide.
Node-RED Serial Port Tutorial: Connect RS232/RS485 Manufacturing Equipment (2026)
Learn how to connect manufacturing equipment using serial interfaces like RS-232/422/485 in Node-RED with FlowFuse. Enable monitoring, data collection, and automation, no hardware changes required
How we Built a Smart Manufacturing Order Execution Panel with FlowFuse
This blog shows how I built a panel using FlowFuse to connect with Odoo ERP. It starts production, checks for raw materials, updates order status, and stops when the target is reached.
Part 2: Building an Andon Task Manager with FlowFuse
Learn how to build an Andon Task Manager with FlowFuse in this step-by-step guide. Create real-time issue reporting and task tracking systems using Node-RED and FlowFuse Dashboard.
What to Measure on the Shop Floor: Factory KPIs Your MES Should Deliver
Learn the essential factory KPIs your Manufacturing Execution System (MES) should monitor to drive profitability, eliminate waste, and make data-driven decisions.
Structuring and Storing Data for Effective MES Integration
Learn how to organize, structure, and store your factory data effectively to make your Manufacturing Execution System (MES) work at its best with FlowFuse.
MES Data Acquisition: How to Unlock Your Factory’s Hidden Data
Learn how to effectively acquire and integrate operational data from your factory floor for MES using FlowFuse.
FlowFuse Forms: Easy Data Collection for Your Factory Floor
Learn how to create and configure forms in FlowFuse Dashboard to collect data efficiently in industrial applications using Node-RED.
What Is MES (Manufacturing Execution System)? How It Works, Benefits, and Challenges
Understand Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES): what they are, why your factory needs one to boost production, common challenges, and how FlowFuse simplifies adoption.
Connect Your Shop Floor to Your ERP – Odoo Edition
Learn how FlowFuse connects your factory floor data directly to Odoo, eliminating manual entry, errors, and wasted time.
Building a Flexible Node-RED Scheduler with Cron-Plus
Learn how to create powerful, flexible cron schedules in Node-RED using the cron-plus node within FlowFuse. Go beyond Inject nodes for smarter, time-based automation.
How to Embed Webpages on the FlowFuse Dashboard
Learn how to embed external web pages such as maps, reports, and widgets onto your FlowFuse dashboard. Follow this guide for easy, step-by-step instructions on improving your dashboard's functionality and collaboration.
Part 1: Building an Andon Task Manager with FlowFuse
Learn how to build a real-time Andon Task Manager using FlowFuse and Node-RED. This step-by-step guide covers request tracking, dashboard design, and data storage with SQLite and context storage.
How to Generate PDF Reports Using Node-RED in FlowFuse (2026)
Discover how to create automated PDF reports in Node-RED with FlowFuse. This guide covers everything from setting up the required nodes to generating and serving PDF reports with dynamic data, making sharing and archiving important business insights easy.
How to Design and Scale an OEE Dashboard for Factory Screens
Turn a working OEE dashboard into a factory-floor display with FlowFuse - dark theming for control rooms, responsive breakpoints, branded headers, multi-line scaling with subflows, and swapping simulated data for your real database.
How to Build a Manufacturing OEE Dashboard with FlowFuse
Build a manufacturing OEE dashboard step by step with FlowFuse. Covers collecting production and downtime data, calculating availability, performance, and quality, breaking OEE down by machine, and laying out the dashboard widgets.
What Is an OEE Dashboard? KPIs, Metrics, and How to Plan One
An OEE dashboard tracks availability, performance, and quality in one view. Learn how OEE is calculated, how to choose machine, line, or factory scope, and which KPIs and visualizations to plan for.
Managing MQTT Connections at Scale in FlowFuse
Learn how to configure MQTT brokers dynamically in FlowFuse using environment variables at both instance and device group levels. Streamline deployments across pipeline stages and monitor MQTT topics efficiently.
Monitoring Device Health and Performance at Scale with FlowFuse
Learn how to monitor system health and performance with Node-RED. Track CPU usage, memory, and other key metrics, and efficiently scale device monitoring with FlowFuse to thousands of devices.
Interacting with Arduino using Node-RED
Learn how to set up and control your Arduino remotely using Node-RED and FlowFuse. Explore the simplicity of automation flows
Designing a Clear Topic Structure for Your UNS
Learn why topic structuring is crucial for your UNS’s performance and scalability. This post explores best practices and strategies to design an effective topic hierarchy for your system.
How to Choose the Right IIoT Device Management Software for Your Business
Learn how to choose the right IIoT device management software for your business with this comprehensive guide. Key features and considerations explained.
Why FlowFuse is the Complete Toolkit For Building UNS?
Discover how FlowFuse is the ultimate solution for managing and implementing Unified Namespace (UNS) in industrial IoT environments.
How to Read and Write Siemens S7 PLC Data, A Node-RED Guide (2026)
Learn how to read data from and write data to Siemens S7 PLCs (S7-1200/1500) for industrial monitoring and control. This guide covers PLC setup, the S7 protocol over ISO-on-TCP, addressing, and building dashboards, no deep PLC expertise required.
MQTT: The Frontrunner for Your UNS Broker - Part 2
Learn why MQTT is the top choice for Unified Namespace (UNS) brokers and explore the ideal platform that simplifies the connection of devices and services while providing a reliable MQTT broker service.
MQTT: The Frontrunner for Your UNS Broker - Part 1
Learn why MQTT is the top choice for Unified Namespace (UNS) brokers and explore the ideal platform that simplifies the connection of devices and services while providing a reliable MQTT broker service.
Data Modeling: The Key to a Successful Unified Namespace
Discover why data modeling is crucial for a Unified Namespace (UNS) in manufacturing and how it helps organize and make data actionable.
Streamlining Node-RED Collaboration with FlowFuse
Learn how FlowFuse simplifies collaboration for Node-RED projects by centralizing resources, enabling real-time updates, and ensuring secure, scalable teamwork.
How to Bridge Modbus to MQTT: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to bridge Modbus data to MQTT in 2026 and publish it to a Unified Namespace (UNS) using FlowFuse for real-time monitoring and cloud integration.
Building a Unified Namespace (UNS) with FlowFuse
Discover how FlowFuse helps you build a Unified Namespace (UNS) effortlessly, streamlining industrial data sharing, improving operational efficiency, and enabling real-time insights for smarter decision-making.
The Death of Point-to-Point: Why You Need a Unified Namespace
Learn why point-to-point connections are outdated in modern manufacturing and how a Unified Namespace (UNS) simplifies system integration, enhances data sharing, and improves scalability and security.
Getting the Most Out of MQTT for Industrial IoT
Learn how to optimize MQTT for industrial IoT with best practices for data consistency, security, performance, and scalability. Discover how FlowFuse enhances your IoT system with streamlined MQTT communication and robust features.
Why UNS needs Pub/Sub
Explore why integrating Publish/Subscribe (Pub/Sub) with Unified Namespace (UNS) is key to optimizing manufacturing data flow. Learn how this combination reduces latency, improves scalability, and enables real-time decision-making in IIoT systems.
Interacting with ESP32 Using Node-RED and MQTT (2026)
Learn how to connect an ESP32 to Node-RED using MQTT in 2026. Step-by-step guide covering the MQTT broker setup, Arduino IDE code, and building a dashboard to control your IoT device remotely, ideal for beginners and IoT hobbyists.
Migrating from Self-Managed Node-RED to FlowFuse-Managed Node-RED
Discover how to migrate from a self-managed Node-RED setup to a FlowFuse-managed environment, including step-by-step instructions for instance creation, data backup, and snapshot deployment.
Run FlowFuse Device Agent as a service on MacOS using Docker
Learn how to run the FlowFuse Device Agent as a service on macOS using Docker and Colima, ensuring automatic startup and seamless integration with the FlowFuse platform for managing IoT edge devices.
FlowFuse Security Features You Didn’t Know You Needed
Discover essential FlowFuse security features that enhance protection and ensure secure Node-RED deployments. Explore tools you didn't know you needed for robust security.
Transform Chaos into Control: Centralize Node-RED Management with FlowFuse
Discover how FlowFuse streamlines the management of your Node-RED instances from a single platform, transforming chaos into control for efficient operations and enhanced collaboration.
FlowFuse's Software bills of material helps enhance Application Security and Management
Learn how FlowFuse SBoM improves the security and management of Node-RED solutions by tracking dependencies and identifying vulnerabilities.
Exploring Quick Ways to Write Complex Logic in Function Nodes in Node-RED
Learn how to efficiently write complex logic in Function Nodes within Node-RED, simplifying your development process and improving your workflows.
Using FlowFuse Project Nodes for Faster and More Efficient Communication
Learn how to use FlowFuse project nodes for quick and efficient communication between Node-RED instances, making monitoring and data requests easier.
Creating and Automating DevOps Pipelines for Node-RED in Industrial Environments
Learn how to build and automate DevOps pipelines for Node-RED deployments in manufacturing and automotive industries. Discover practical tips and tools to streamline your deployment process, ensuring efficiency and safety in critical operations.
Using Snapshots for Version Control in Node-RED with FlowFuse
Learn how to use snapshots for version control in Node-RED with FlowFuse. Explore step-by-step guidance on creating, managing, and restoring flow backups to enhance your Node-RED development and save yourself from accidental changes.
How to Scrape Data from Websites Using Node-RED
Learn how to use Node-RED for web scraping to efficiently collect, extract, and manage data from websites. This step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about creating automated web scrapers using Node-RED.
How to create and use Subflow in Node-RED (2026)
Learn how to effectively use subflows in Node-RED with this comprehensive guide. Discover the benefits, creation steps, and best practices for managing subflows to streamline your automation workflows.MQTT Sparkplug B Implementation: Protocol, Architecture & Best Practices
Learn how to implement MQTT Sparkplug B with Node-RED for standardized, reliable Industrial IoT data flows and scalable production deployments.
Monitoring and Optimizing Node-RED Flows with Open Telemetry (2026)
Learn to integrate Open Telemetry with Node-RED to track and optimize flow performance.
Bridging OPC UA Data to MQTT with Node-RED (2026)
Learn how to bridge OPC UA data to MQTT using Node-RED for seamless industrial IoT integration and real-time data flow.
Customise theming in your FlowFuse Dashboard (2026)
Discover the latest enhancements in FlowFuse Dashboard, including customizable headers, themes, and layout modifications to personalize your dashboard experience.
FlowFuse Dashboard vs UI-Builder: A Comprehensive Comparison
Compare FlowFuse Dashboard and UI-Builder. Discover their installation ease, customization, performance, and support to find the best solution for your needs.
How to Set Up SSO LDAP for Node-RED
Learn how to configure SSO LDAP for your self-hosted FlowFuse platform using OpenLdap as the Identity Provider. Simplify user authentication across applications with this step-by-step guide.
Evolution of Technology: Impact on Job Roles and Companies
Discover how technology evolution, from historical disruptions to AI and low-code tools like Node-RED, reshapes job roles and enhances business operations
How to Set Up SSO SAML for Node-RED
Learn how to configure SSO SAML for your self-hosted FlowFuse platform using Google as the Identity Provider (IdP). Simplify user authentication across applications with this step-by-step guide.
Deploying FlowFuse with Docker on an Ubuntu server
Learn to deploy the FlowFuse on your Ubuntu server with Docker, from domain setup to running your app with email, SSL configurations.
Calling a Python script from Node-RED (2026)
Learn how to run a Python script from Node-RED using the Exec node. Step-by-step guide covering script execution, passing arguments, reading sensor data, and troubleshooting, combine Node-RED's visual flows with Python's libraries.
Interacting with Google Sheets from Node-RED (2026)
Learn how to interact with Google Sheet from Node-RED to write, read, update and delete data.
Working with MQTT in Node-RED: Complete Guide (2026)
Complete MQTT Node-RED tutorial: configure brokers, implement pub/sub messaging, use mqtt-in and mqtt-out nodes, and create dynamic subscriptions for IoT
Exploring Node-RED Dashboard 2.0 Widgets
Learn how to use Node-RED Dashboard 2.0 widgets to build interactive applications and dynamic dashboards effortlessly.
Mapping location data within Node-RED Dashboard 2.0. (2026)
Learn how to plot location data on Dashboard 2.0 with this comprehensive step-by-step guide.
Comprehensive guide: Node-RED Dashboard 2.0 layout, sidebar, and styling
Discover Node-RED Dashboard 2.0's three layouts (Grid, Notebook, Fixed), five navigation sidebar styles, themes, and custom CSS styling, a complete guide to controlling how your dashboards look and behave.
How to Use Variables in Node-RED: Flow, Global, Context & Environment (2026)
Learn how to use Node-RED global, flow, context, and environment variables in 2026. Step-by-step examples for setting, retrieving, and persisting state, plus best practices and an FAQ.
How to Build An Application With Node-RED Dashboard 2.0 (2026)
Learn to build custom applications effortlessly with Node-RED Dashboard 2.0. This step-by-step guide walks you through building a personalized, secure, and fully functional application.
How to Build an Admin Dashboard with Node-RED Dashboard 2.0 (2026)
Discover step-by-step instructions for developing an admin-only page in Node-RED Dashboard 2.0 using the FlowFuse Multiuser addon. Additionally, learn how to secure Dashboard 2.0 and explore the features of the FlowFuse multiuser addon.
Displaying logged in user on Node-RED Dashboard 2.0 (2026)
Learn how to secure your Dashboard, install, and configure the FlowFuse Multi-user addon, and display logged-in users on Node-RED Dashboard 2.0. Additionally, delve deeper into understanding how the FlowFuse Multi-user addon functions.
Using Kafka with Node-RED
Learn how to seamlessly integrate Apache Kafka with Node-RED to facilitate real-time data communication. This step-by-step guide covers everything you need to harness the full potential of Kafka in your Node-RED applications.
How Kafka is applied in manufacturing
An overview of Kafka -- How it's applied for industrial applications, and how it works
Speech-Driven Chatbot System with Node-RED
Learn to build a speech-driven chatbot system with Node-RED and Dashboard 2.0. Integrate speech recognition, synthesis, and Chat-GPT seamlessly.
Sentiment Analysis with Node-RED
Learn how to build a sentiment analysis system with Node-RED using Dashboard 2.0. Extract insights from text content effortlessly with step-by-step guidance.