Generic FTP file mapping
This guide walks through connecting any device or third-party system to the platform using FTP file uploads. The external system writes data files and periodically pushes them to an FTP server, which the platform then reads automatically.
Note: We recommend creating a Blueprint and your Sensors first, so that when you map the data source labels at the end of this guide, you have sensors to connect to.
1. Configure your device or system to push via FTP
Use your device or system’s configuration interface (often a web / cloud portal or local configuration tool) to export measurements as files and automatically upload them to an FTP server.
In most systems you can set:
- FTP server hostname
- Username and password
- Remote directory / file path
- Upload schedule or interval
Use the FTP server details that you have set up for the platform integration. Once configured, your device or system will regularly push updated data files to the FTP server.
You do not usually need to write a custom program for this; most vendor systems provide FTP upload configuration directly in their management portal or configuration UI.
2. Add a data connection
In the Sensly portal, add a data connection and choose FTP. Enter the FTP server credentials for the server where your device or system uploads its files.
3. Add a data source
Under Data sources, create a new data source using the FTP connection you created.
Specify the file path where your system uploads the data file (for example /incoming/site1_data.csv).
Set the schedule for when to check the FTP server for updated files.
4. Map the file
Configure the file by selecting the File to map from the directory. If only one file is found, it will be auto-selected.
Note: If additional files appear in the File to map dropdown that you do not want processed, update the File match string on the data source details page to filter them out.
Select the Labels row (the row that identifies each column for matching to sensor inputs) and the Data row (where the data starts, so the header is not processed). These rows may vary depending on how your export file is formatted; choose the rows that match your file layout.
Select the Datetime column; the Datetime format will be auto-populated but can be edited if needed. The notation for datetime formats is described in 5. Datetime format in Data sources.
5. Map the sensor inputs
Map the platform sensor inputs to the corresponding columns in your data file (for example displacement, tilt, temperature, or water level).
Once configured, the platform will automatically import new records from the uploaded files and update the sensor data.
Note: If additional sensors are mapped after a file has been processed, the data source will need to be re-run by reprocessing the data.