What is Apama Analytics Builder?

Apama Analytics Builder runs as an application in Cumulocity IoT, which is a web-based platform for managing IoT devices (see also https://www.cumulocity.com/). It allows you to build analytic models that transform or analyze streaming data in order to generate new data or output events. The models are capable of processing data in real time.

You build the models in a graphical environment by combining pre-built blocks into models. The blocks in a model package up small bits of logic, and have a number of inputs, outputs and parameters. Each block implements a specific piece of functionality, such as receiving data from a sensor, performing a calculation, detecting a condition, or generating an output signal. You define the configuration of the blocks and connect the blocks using wires. You can edit the models, simulate deployment with historic data, or run them against live systems. See Understanding Models for more detailed information.

Apama Analytics Builder consists of the following tools:

Model manager. When you invoke Apama Analytics Builder, the model manager is shown first. It lists all available models and lets you manage them. For example, you can test and deploy the models from the model manager, or you can duplicate or delete them. You can also create new models or edit existing models; in this case, the model editor is invoked. See Using the Model Manager for detailed information.

Model editor. The model editor lets you define the blocks that are used within a model and how they are wired together. User-visible documentation (the so-called Block Reference) is available in the model editor, describing the functionality of each block. See Using the Model Editor for detailed information.

The blocks are implemented in the Event Processing Language (EPL) of Apama. At runtime, the EPL code runs in an Apama correlator to execute the models. Some runtime behavior and restrictions are important to understand. These are documented in later chapters.