Visualising time-series data clarify.io

[bbergshaven]

I originally posted this in a Node-Red slack, and after being invited here I figured it might be of interest to some of you as well.

Hi, I'm Bernt-Johan, one of the founders at Clarify.io.
I've been part of the Node-Red community for a while now, during which I've been developing the Clarify Node-Red Node. And with our release of a totally free plan, I feel it's time to tell you, folks, more about what Clarify is and see if and how it can be useful for some of you.

Clarify is a time-series visualization platform that helps users quickly turn data into information. We do this by storing and presenting time-series data alongside comments, photos, videos, or more generically, the context of the data. This allows the raw data to live alongside the context that is required to understand it.

I've seen many people asking in home automation forums about ways to visualize their time-series data, and even though some great solutions already exist with combinations of e.g influxDB and Grafana, I think some might appreciate the turnkey SaaS solution that Clarify can offer. We also offer native apps for Android and iOS.

You can create a free account and start streaming your time-series data from Node-Red to Clarify by simply adding the node found in the palette, and doing some minor data transformation. Just visit our webpage for a no-creditcard-required signup: https://www.clarify.io

I'm using it for my home automation system and power surveillance and would love to share and discuss ideas on how to integrate and use Clarify.
I'd really appreciate honest feedback and improvement suggestions. If you have questions ask below or shoot me a DM.

Regards Bernt-Johan

[Eman]

Try posting that in the General Discussion Forum... Else, it seems very technical for the average Joe...
One would ask what they would then do with the collection of that data in a Home Automation environment?... I think what would best suit a good idea for AI as regards to a Smart Home is if the data collected say from sensors (temp, motion...etc) would entail actions triggered based on the figures collected so less event creation with the HomeSeer event engine... If you think along those lines.

Yes, for farming data collection would make sense or in a industrial production environment.

If you really want a brain teaser then try to look at Thread and how you can leverage the above to bring the old to the trending... That is the missing link in regards to AI and Smart Homes (forget pressing buttons and think automated...)


Sorry for the diversion but more on that here : https://www.the-ambient.com/guides/w...mart-home-2410



Eman.

[ksum]

Welcome to the forums, bbergshaven !

I have spent a little time looking at Clarify.io. As a background, I have an InfluxDB and Grafana implementation to chart some items. Initially I wondered why I might want to chart anything that was not being used. But when I wanted to see when my daughter was turning her bedroom lights on and off, and presumably going to sleep, I decided to give it a go. After all, it is MUCH easier than reading the logs! As a result, I have found the data to various items interesting. For instance, I always thought my garage would get much colder than it does. I do not use the graphing for any actual automations, but do use the real time information from my sensors. For instance, my dehumidifier stopped turning off once the humidity went below a certain level. I use a z-wave appliance module now and a sensor attached to a D1 Mini which is flashed with Tasmota. Less that $10 USD (I had the module and it was not being used during the summer - the only time we need the dehumidifier) as opposed to buying a new dehumidifier or trying to find the part and replace it for more.

The Grafana graph showing when a couple lights are on or off. I have not yet tried this with Clarify. Purple means No Data which is the result of how the data is pulled and used. The data for these is only recorded when an On or Off change is made. So there is no data during the purple area as the previous event was prior to the data timeline.

Humidity levels shown in Clarify. The "Dining Room" level is the humidity reported by my Ecobee thermostat. It jumps as the reporting interval is greater and I suspect the accuracy is poor - outside values from some web based source:

And Grafana. The Basement Office is not currently being recorded in InfluxDB:

I have used the graphed data to look at trends and to troubleshoot a couple automations. For instance, I was able to graph the light level in my office where I use a light sensor and dimming light switch to keep the level within a given range.

Setting up the Clarify connection and getting a graph was, to me, easier than installing InfluxDB and Grafana on a Raspberry Pi and then setting up the graphs. They all had a learning curve and I am a Windows person so I was just blindly following the install of the R-Pi.

I currently prefer what I have seen of the graphing capabilities in Grafana. Especially the flexibility of the layout of multiple graphs and the ability to show other items . But Clarify is young and open to suggestions, so I expect future changes and additions. Like many here, I do appreciate having as much as possible local. But the ease of use and initial setup, especially if you are already using Node-RED, is quite appealing. I am not displaying my graphs anyplace, I just pop into the web page to look at them on occasion. So the flexibility of a layout may be of less importance than the ease of use for the display of raw data. Either way, it is a nice alternative to showing trends in data.

As for the location of the post, I imagine here is as good as any since it does require the use of Node-RED.

Karl