IoT-Native vs Bolt-On CMMS: Why Integration Architecture Matters

Every CMMS vendor now claims “IoT integration.” But there’s a fundamental difference between platforms built from the ground up for sensor data and those bolting on IoT as an afterthought.

This difference affects everything: how fast you detect problems, how reliably data flows, and how much you’ll spend keeping integrations working.

Here’s how to evaluate IoT architecture when choosing CMMS.

Two Approaches to IoT Integration

IoT-Native Architecture

Definition: The CMMS is designed from its foundation to receive, process, and act on sensor data. IoT isn’t a feature—it’s part of the core platform.

Characteristics:

• Sensor protocols (MQTT, HTTP, LoRaWAN) built into the platform
• Real-time data processing engine native to the system
• Automatic work order generation as core functionality
• Unified data model for assets and sensor readings
• Single vendor for platform and IoT support

Bolt-On Integration Architecture

Definition: The CMMS connects to IoT capabilities through external platforms, middleware, or third-party integrations.

Characteristics:

• Requires separate IoT platform or gateway
• Data passes through translation layers
• Work order triggers configured through API connections
• Asset data and sensor data may live in separate systems
• Multiple vendors involved in the full solution

Architecture Comparison

Aspect	IoT-Native	Bolt-On
Data flow	Direct: Sensor → CMMS	Indirect: Sensor → Gateway → API → CMMS
Response time	Milliseconds to seconds	Seconds to minutes
Failure points	Fewer	Multiple (each integration layer)
Setup complexity	Lower	Higher
Vendor support	Single vendor	Multiple vendors
Customization	May be more limited	More flexible
Cost structure	Bundled	Separate licensing

How IoT-Native Works

According to eWorkOrders’ IoT integration guide, an IoT-enabled CMMS requires four essential components working together:

1. Sensor Data Ingestion

IoT-native platforms support common sensor protocols directly:

Protocol	Use Case	Advantage
MQTT	Most IoT sensors	Lightweight, low bandwidth
HTTP/REST	Web-based sensors	Familiar, widely supported
LoRaWAN	Long-range, low-power	Campus-scale coverage
NB-IoT	Cellular IoT	No local network needed

According to MicroMain’s IoT sensor guide:

Your sensors need to be able to share their data with your CMMS. That means looking for sensors supporting proper protocols, like MQTT, HTTP, or REST APIs. If your sensor can’t send its data directly to the CMMS, you’ll have to manually transfer information or build workarounds.

2. Real-Time Processing

The CMMS processes incoming sensor data immediately:

• Compare readings against thresholds
• Identify anomalies and patterns
• Trigger alerts when conditions met
• Store historical data for analysis

In native architecture, this processing happens within the CMMS—no external analytics platform required.

3. Automatic Work Order Generation

According to DreamzCMMS research:

When a sensor detects a deviation from defined thresholds, the CMMS automatically generates work orders, alerts technicians, or even triggers remote system adjustments.

Example flow:

1. Vibration sensor detects reading above threshold (0.8 in/s)
2. CMMS receives reading via MQTT
3. System compares against configured limit (0.5 in/s)
4. Work order auto-generates: “Investigate elevated vibration on Pump-03”
5. Technician receives mobile notification
6. Sensor data attached to work order for context

In IoT-native systems, this happens in seconds. In bolt-on systems, data may pass through multiple platforms first.

4. Unified Asset-Sensor Model

IoT-native platforms maintain a single data model where:

• Each asset has associated sensors
• Sensor readings link to asset history
• Maintenance records include sensor context
• Analytics span both operational and maintenance data

Bolt-on integrations often struggle to maintain this unified view, requiring manual correlation between systems.

How Bolt-On Integration Works

Traditional CMMS platforms add IoT through integration layers:

Typical Bolt-On Architecture

[Sensors] → [IoT Gateway Platform] → [API/Middleware] → [CMMS]
                    ↓
           [Separate Analytics]

Components required:

Component	Purpose	Additional Cost
IoT Platform	Collect and manage sensor data	$500-5,000/month
API Middleware	Translate data formats	May be included or $500+/month
Custom Integration	Connect systems	$5,000-50,000 development
Analytics Platform	Process sensor data	$500-3,000/month

Integration Complexity

According to ClickMaint’s IoT integration guide:

Most modern CMMS platforms are designed to be sensor-agnostic. They can integrate with various IoT data sources through an open API or a central IoT gateway platform.

This flexibility comes with complexity. According to eWorkOrders’ integration comparison:

A more complex project, like a custom CMMS integration with SAP ERP involving multiple modules and significant data mapping, can take several months to fully implement.

Comparing Implementation Timelines

IoT-Native Implementation

Phase	Timeline	Activities
Platform setup	Week 1-2	Configure CMMS, set up assets
Sensor deployment	Week 2-4	Install sensors, connect to platform
Threshold configuration	Week 4-5	Set alert parameters, test triggers
Go-live	Week 5-6	Activate automatic work orders
Total	5-6 weeks

Bolt-On Implementation

Phase	Timeline	Activities
CMMS setup	Week 1-4	Configure base CMMS
IoT platform setup	Week 2-6	Separate IoT platform deployment
Sensor deployment	Week 4-8	Install sensors, connect to IoT platform
Integration development	Week 6-12	Build API connections, data mapping
Testing	Week 10-14	End-to-end testing, troubleshooting
Go-live	Week 14-16	Activate with close monitoring
Total	14-16+ weeks

Total Cost of Ownership

5-Year TCO Comparison (50-asset facility)

IoT-Native Solution:

Cost Component	Year 1	Years 2-5 (each)
CMMS subscription (10 users)	$12,000	$12,000
IoT module (included or small premium)	$3,000	$2,000
Sensors (50 × $150)	$7,500	$1,500 (replacements)
Implementation	$5,000	—
Year Total	$27,500	$15,500
5-Year Total		$89,500

Bolt-On Solution:

Cost Component	Year 1	Years 2-5 (each)
CMMS subscription (10 users)	$10,000	$10,000
IoT platform subscription	$6,000	$6,000
Middleware/API platform	$3,000	$3,000
Sensors (50 × $150)	$7,500	$1,500
Integration development	$25,000	—
Integration maintenance	$2,000	$5,000
Year Total	$53,500	$25,500
5-Year Total		$155,500

Difference: $66,000 over 5 years

The bolt-on solution’s lower CMMS subscription is overwhelmed by integration costs.

When Bolt-On Makes Sense

Despite complexity, bolt-on integration may be appropriate when:

1. Existing Investment

You already have a CMMS you can’t replace and an IoT platform in place. Integration leverages existing investments.

2. Specialized Sensors

Your equipment requires specialized sensors with proprietary protocols that only work with specific IoT platforms.

3. Enterprise Data Lake Strategy

Your organization centralizes all IoT data in a corporate data lake that feeds multiple systems including CMMS.

4. Unique Requirements

Your workflow requires custom data transformations that standard IoT-native platforms don’t support.

Evaluating IoT-Native Platforms

Questions to Ask Vendors

Architecture:

• Is IoT functionality built-in or through integration?
• What sensor protocols do you support natively?
• Where does sensor data processing occur?
• Can I see the data flow diagram?

Functionality:

• How quickly do alerts generate work orders?
• Can I configure custom threshold rules?
• Do work orders include sensor data context?
• How do I view historical sensor trends?

Scalability:

• How many sensors can the platform handle?
• What happens as sensor volume grows?
• Are there additional fees for sensor data volume?
• Can I add sensors without additional integration work?

Support:

• Who supports sensor connectivity issues?
• Is there a single point of contact for the full solution?
• What sensor brands are certified compatible?
• What’s the SLA for data processing?

Red Flags

• “We integrate with any IoT platform” (translation: we don’t have native IoT)
• Vague data flow explanations
• Multiple vendors required for support
• Sensor setup requires external consultants
• Separate licensing for “IoT module”

Infodeck’s IoT Approach

Infodeck is built IoT-native. Sensor data flows directly into the platform:

Native capabilities:

• MQTT and HTTP sensor protocol support
• Real-time threshold monitoring
• Automatic work order generation
• Unified asset-sensor data model
• Single platform, single vendor

Practical benefits:

• Sensors connect directly—no middleware
• Alerts trigger work orders in seconds
• Complete maintenance history includes sensor context
• One support contact for all issues

Making Your Decision

Choose IoT-Native If:

• ✅ You’re implementing CMMS and IoT together
• ✅ You want simplicity and fast deployment
• ✅ You prefer single-vendor accountability
• ✅ You don’t have existing IoT infrastructure
• ✅ Long-term TCO matters more than initial cost

Choose Bolt-On If:

• ✅ You have significant existing CMMS investment
• ✅ You already have a mature IoT platform
• ✅ You have specialized integration requirements
• ✅ Your enterprise architecture mandates specific platforms
• ✅ You have internal integration expertise

Key Evaluation Metrics

Metric	What to Measure
Time to first alert	How long from sensor install to first automatic work order?
Data latency	What’s the delay from sensor reading to CMMS visibility?
Implementation timeline	How long until you’re fully operational?
Integration maintenance	How much ongoing effort to keep integrations working?
Vendor complexity	How many companies do you rely on for the full solution?

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Ready to see IoT-native CMMS in action? Explore Infodeck’s IoT sensor integration—built-in from day one, not bolted on as an afterthought. Book a demo to see how quickly you can connect sensors to automated maintenance workflows.