IIoT with the BRX Sparkplug B Module from AutomationDirect

In the world of industrial automation and IIoT, getting devices to talk to each other reliably and efficiently is essential. That’s where Sparkplug B and the Sparkplug B POM for BRX come in. Sparkplug B is a protocol specification built on top of MQTT, the lightweight publish-and-subscribe messaging system. But while MQTT handles message delivery, it doesn’t define how the data should be structured or how device state is managed. Sparkplug B fills in that gap by standardizing the payload format, naming conventions, and state tracking—so all your devices and software are speaking the same language. It uses Google Protocol Buffers for compact, efficient data exchange, and defines a clear structure for organizing your topics. Devices send “birth” certificates when they connect and “death” messages when they go offline, ensuring real-time visibility into system health and connectivity. Let’s look at a real-world example. Imagine a municipal water treatment facility using multiple pumps, sensors, and AutomationDirect BRX PLCs spread across several remote stations. A central SCADA system needs to monitor water levels, pump speeds, and equipment status from each location. Using MQTT with Sparkplug B, each remote site sends structured, state-aware data to the central broker. If a sensor node goes offline, the SCADA system is instantly alerted through Sparkplug’s death message. When it comes back online, it sends a new birth message along with current values, so no manual resets or guesswork are needed. And because everything is using the same Sparkplug B format, integrating new devices or analytics platforms is plug-and-play. In short, Sparkplug B makes MQTT industrial-ready. It enables secure, scalable, and reliable IIoT systems, helping organizations move toward smarter, more connected operations, with less custom code and fewer headaches. And the Sparkplug B POM brings all of this capability to the BRX PLC. Want to streamline your industrial data flow? Start with MQTT, and speak the language of Sparkplug B. With BRX and AutomationDirect, it’s simple. To learn more about the BRX PLC and all of its capabilities, visit AutomationDirect.com Click here for more videos on the BRX platform. Click here for more IIoT solutions from AutomationDirect Click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel – be sure to stay informed on all new products and developments from AutomationDirect.com