How to Store IoT Data Inside ERPNext: A Complete Guide for IoT Companies

Why Store IoT Data in ERPNext?

Integrating IoT data into ERPNext helps your organization:

• Monitor machine performance in real time

• Trigger automated workflows (e.g., create a maintenance ticket)

• Generate actionable reports

• Centralize production and device data

• Improve predictive maintenance and reduce downtime

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Tools and Technologies You’ll Need

Before you start, here’s what you’ll typically require:

• ERPNext Instance (hosted on a cloud or private server)

• IoT Device (any sensor-enabled machine or device)

• MQTT Broker (like EMQX or Mosquitto)

• MQTT Client / Bridge (a Python script, Node-RED, or any client)

• Custom Frappe App or API Endpoint inside ERPNext to receive the data

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Step-by-Step Guide to Store IoT Data in ERPNext

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Step 1: Set Up Your ERPNext Environment

Host ERPNext using Frappe Cloud, VPS, or any preferred cloud provider. Ensure your instance is running and ready for integration.

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Step 2: Design a DocType for Your IoT Data

Create a custom DocType in ERPNext to store machine data.

Example: Machine Data Log

• Device ID (Data)

• Timestamp (Datetime)

• Temperature (Float)

• Pressure (Float)

• Humidity (Float)

• Status (Select: OK / Warning / Critical)

$ bench new-doctype "Machine Data Log" --module "Custom App" --custom

Step 3: Set Up an MQTT Broker

Use an MQTT broker like EMQX or Mosquitto to handle device data:

• Devices publish to a topic (e.g., machine/01/data)

• Backend listens for updates and acts on them

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Step 4: Write a Middleware or MQTT Subscriber

This script subscribes to the topic and forwards data to ERPNext via API.

Example (Python with paho-mqtt):

import paho.mqtt.client as mqtt
import requests
import json

ERP_URL = "https://iot.erp.company.com/api/resource/Machine Data Log"
ERP_TOKEN = "token {api_key}:{api_secret}"

def on_message(client, userdata, message):
    payload = json.loads(message.payload.decode())
    data = {
        "device_id": payload["device_id"],
        "timestamp": payload["timestamp"],
        "temperature": payload["temperature"],
        "pressure": payload["pressure"],
        "humidity": payload["humidity"],
        "status": payload["status"]
    }
    response = requests.post(ERP_URL, headers={"Authorization": ERP_TOKEN}, json={"data": data})
    print(response.status_code, response.text)

client = mqtt.Client()
client.connect("broker.emqx.io", 1883, 60)
client.subscribe("machine/+/data")
client.on_message = on_message
client.loop_forever()

Step 5: Secure Your APIs

• Use ERPNext API keys (via API Key & Secret)

• Enforce role-based access controls

• Use HTTPS for secure transmission

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Step 6: Automate and Trigger Events

You can write server-side scripts (hooks) that trigger actions based on the IoT data received.

Example Hook:

@frappe.whitelist()
def after_insert(doc, method):
    if doc.status == "Critical":
        frappe.get_doc({
            "doctype": "Maintenance Visit",
            "machine": doc.device_id,
            "status": "Scheduled",
            "description": f"Auto-generated ticket for {doc.device_id} - critical status",
        }).insert(ignore_permissions=True)

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Visualize Your Data with Dashboards

Use ERPNext's built-in dashboard builder to create:

• Live status monitors

• Environmental trend reports

• Downtime analytics

Or integrate with Metabase for more advanced dashboards.

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Real-World Use Case Example

Imagine you run a factory with 30 CNC machines, each sending live temperature and load data:

• Every 5 seconds, devices push JSON to MQTT

• Middleware sends data to ERPNext

• Alerts create support tickets

• Reports highlight patterns in temperature surges

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Benefits of Using ERPNext for IoT Data

• Open-source and fully customizable

• Centralized control over operations

• Real-time insights and automations

• Great for scaling in manufacturing and logistics

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Bonus Tip: Test Everything in a Staging Setup

Before going live:

• Simulate devices and payloads

• Test high-frequency data loads

• Monitor logs and error handling

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Wrapping Up

Combining ERPNext with IoT enables smarter operations, predictive maintenance, and real-time control over machine processes. With MQTT and custom DocTypes, the integration is fast, scalable, and highly efficient.

If you're an IoT-driven company ready to bring ERP intelligence to your machines, connect with our Techsolvo experts to get started.