Datacake AI Nodes

AI-powered data analysis and report generation for IoT applications using OpenAI's Response API.

Overview

The Datacake AI nodes enable you to analyze IoT sensor data, generate reports, and extract insights using advanced AI models from OpenAI. Perfect for:

  • 📊 Automated data analysis and anomaly detection

  • 📝 Report generation (Markdown, HTML, PDF-ready)

  • 💡 Predictive maintenance insights

  • 📈 Time series analysis and trend detection

  • 🔍 Root cause analysis

  • 💻 Python code execution for calculations and visualizations

Configuration

Datacake AI Config

Configuration node for storing OpenAI API credentials securely.

Settings

  • Name - Optional descriptive name for this configuration

  • OpenAI API Key - Your OpenAI API key (starts with sk-...)

How to Get Your API Key

  1. Visit OpenAI Platform

  2. Sign in or create an account

  3. Click "Create new secret key"

  4. Copy the key (starts with sk-...)

  5. Store it securely in the Datacake AI Config node

⚠️ Important: Keep your API key secure. Never share it or commit it to version control.

Datacake AI Node

Execute AI-powered analysis and report generation using OpenAI's models.

Configuration

Model Selection

Choose the AI model based on your needs:

Model
Speed
Capability
Cost (per 1M tokens)
Best For

gpt-5

Slower

Highest

$1.25 in / $10.00 out

Complex analysis, research

gpt-5-mini

Medium

High

$0.25 in / $2.00 out

Recommended for most use cases

gpt-5-nano

Fastest

Good

$0.05 in / $0.40 out

Simple tasks, quick responses

💡 The UI shows real-time cost estimates based on your max token setting.

Prompt Configuration

Prompt Source:

  • From msg.prompt - Dynamic prompts from incoming messages (flexible)

  • From Configuration - Static prompt configured in the node (reusable)

Include msg.payload:

  • When enabled, automatically includes incoming data in the prompt

  • Perfect for CSV, JSON, or text data analysis

  • Data type is automatically detected and formatted

Tools

Code Interpreter:

  • ✅ Enable for any data analysis tasks

  • Executes Python code for calculations, statistics, and visualizations

  • Can read CSV/JSON data, perform complex calculations, generate charts

  • Essential for accurate numerical analysis

Web Search:

  • 🌐 Enable for real-time information retrieval

  • Access up-to-date information from the web

  • Useful for market research, trend analysis, fact-checking

  • Configure search context size (low/medium/high)

Advanced Options

Max Output Tokens:

  • Controls maximum response length

  • Higher values = longer responses but higher cost

  • Default: 16,000 tokens (~12,000 words)

  • Typical reports use 2,000-8,000 tokens

Input Properties

Property
Type
Required
Description

msg.prompt

string

No*

The AI prompt/instruction (*required when using "From msg.prompt" mode)

msg.payload

any

No

Data to analyze (CSV, JSON, text) when "Include msg.payload" is enabled

msg.previousResponseId

string

No

Previous response ID for conversational context

msg.model

string

No

Override the configured model (e.g., "gpt-5-mini")

Output Properties

Property
Type
Description

msg.payload

string

Clean AI response text (user-friendly, ready to use)

msg.responseId

string

Response ID for follow-up questions with context

msg.openai

object

Detailed metadata about the request

Output Metadata (msg.openai)

{
  model: "gpt-5-mini",                    // Model used
  promptSource: "msg",                     // Where prompt came from
  toolsUsed: ["code_interpreter"],         // Tools enabled
  hadContext: false,                       // Whether context was used
  responseId: "resp_abc123...",            // Response ID
  usage: {                                 // Token usage
    input_tokens: 1234,
    cached_tokens: 0,
    output_tokens: 567,
    total_tokens: 1801
  },
  cost: {                                  // Cost breakdown in USD
    inputTokens: 1234,
    cachedTokens: 0,
    outputTokens: 567,
    totalTokens: 1801,
    inputCost: 0.000308,                   // $0.000308
    cachedCost: 0.000000,
    outputCost: 0.001134,                  // $0.001134
    totalCost: 0.001442,                   // $0.001442
    currency: "USD"
  },
  fullResponse: { /* Complete raw API response */ }
}

Status Display

The node shows real-time status in the editor:

  • 🟢 Success ($0.00142) - Request completed with cost

  • 🔵 Processing... - Request in progress

  • 🔴 Error - Request failed with error message

Use Cases & Examples

1. IoT Sensor Data Analysis

Analyze CSV sensor data and identify anomalies, trends, and patterns.

Flow:

[File Read: sensor-data.csv]
  ↓
[Datacake AI]
  Model: gpt-5-mini
  Code Interpreter: ✅ Enabled
  Include msg.payload: ✅ Yes
  Prompt: "Analyze this IoT sensor data and create a report including:
          1. Data overview and statistics
          2. Temperature and humidity trends
          3. Anomaly detection
          4. Correlations between sensors
          5. Recommendations"
  ↓
[Debug/File Write]

Example Output:

# IoT Sensor Data Analysis Report

## Executive Summary
- Analyzed 10,000 data points from 15 sensors over 7 days
- Average temperature: 22.3°C (range: 18.5°C to 28.1°C)
- Average humidity: 55.2% (range: 42% to 78%)

## Key Findings
1. **Temperature Spike Detected**: Sensor #7 showed abnormal reading of 35°C on 2025-02-15
2. **Strong Correlation**: Temperature and humidity show inverse correlation (r=-0.82)
3. **Daily Pattern**: Temperature peaks around 2 PM daily

## Recommendations
1. Investigate Sensor #7 for potential malfunction
2. Consider HVAC optimization based on temperature patterns
3. Monitor humidity levels in zones with readings >70%

2. Automated Markdown Report Generation

Generate professional reports with actual calculations from data.

Flow:

[Datacake GraphQL History]
  ↓
[Function: Prepare data]
  msg.payload = msg.payload.data.TEMPERATURE; // Time series data
  msg.prompt = `Create a professional markdown report analyzing temperature data.
                Include:
                - Statistical summary (mean, median, std dev)
                - Trend analysis with real calculations
                - Anomaly detection
                - Hourly/daily patterns
                
                Output ONLY the markdown report (no preamble).`;
  return msg;
  ↓
[Datacake AI]
  Model: gpt-5-mini
  Code Interpreter: ✅ Enabled
  Include msg.payload: ✅ Yes
  Prompt Source: From msg.prompt
  ↓
[File Write: temperature-report.md]

Tips for Report Generation:

  • Always enable Code Interpreter for accurate calculations

  • Request "Output ONLY the markdown" to get clean results

  • Use specific format requirements (tables, sections, etc.)

  • Request charts/graphs descriptions for visualization needs

3. Conversational Data Analysis

Have a multi-turn conversation about your data with context.

First Message:

[Function: Initial prompt]
  msg.payload = deviceHistoryCSV;
  msg.prompt = "Analyze this device performance data and identify the top 3 issues";
  return msg;
  ↓
[Datacake AI]
  ↓
[Function: Store response ID]
  flow.set('lastResponseId', msg.responseId);
  return msg;
  ↓
[Debug: View initial analysis]

Follow-up Message:

[Function: Follow-up question]
  msg.prompt = "For issue #1, what are your detailed recommendations and cost estimates?";
  msg.previousResponseId = flow.get('lastResponseId');
  return msg;
  ↓
[Datacake AI]
  ↓
[Debug: View detailed recommendations]

Benefits:

  • Maintain context across multiple questions

  • Drill down into specific findings

  • Build on previous analysis

  • More efficient token usage (context is cached)

4. Predictive Maintenance Analysis

Analyze device trends and predict potential failures.

Flow:

[Datacake GraphQL History]
  Device: Industrial Pump
  Time Range: Last 30 days
  Fields: TEMPERATURE, VIBRATION, PRESSURE
  ↓
[Function: Prepare maintenance prompt]
  msg.prompt = `Analyze this industrial pump data for predictive maintenance:
                1. Identify degradation patterns
                2. Detect anomalies in temperature, vibration, and pressure
                3. Predict potential failure points
                4. Calculate remaining useful life estimate
                5. Recommend maintenance schedule
                
                Provide actionable insights with confidence levels.`;
  return msg;
  ↓
[Datacake AI]
  Model: gpt-5-mini
  Code Interpreter: ✅ Enabled
  ↓
[Function: Parse recommendations]
  ↓
[Switch: Check urgency level]
  ↓
[Email/SMS Alert if urgent]

5. Fleet Health Summary with AI Insights

Combine fleet data with AI analysis for executive reports.

Flow:

[Datacake GraphQL Fleet Health]
  ↓
[Function: Prepare fleet summary]
  msg.fleetData = msg.payload; // Store fleet data
  msg.prompt = `Analyze this IoT fleet health data and create an executive summary:
                
                ${JSON.stringify(msg.payload, null, 2)}
                
                Include:
                1. Overall fleet health assessment (grade A-F)
                2. Key concerns and their severity
                3. Devices requiring immediate attention
                4. 30-day trend analysis
                5. Cost impact of identified issues
                6. Priority action items
                
                Keep it concise for executives (max 500 words).`;
  return msg;
  ↓
[Datacake AI]
  Model: gpt-5-mini
  ↓
[Email to Management]

6. Energy Consumption Optimization

Analyze consumption patterns and suggest optimizations.

Flow:

[Datacake GraphQL Consumption]
  Include Monthly Breakdown: ✅ Yes
  ↓
[Function: Prepare optimization prompt]
  msg.prompt = `Analyze this energy consumption data and provide optimization recommendations:
                
                1. Identify consumption patterns and anomalies
                2. Compare actual vs expected consumption
                3. Detect potential waste or inefficiencies
                4. Calculate potential savings
                5. Recommend specific actions with ROI estimates
                
                Focus on actionable insights.`;
  return msg;
  ↓
[Datacake AI]
  Model: gpt-5-mini
  Code Interpreter: ✅ Enabled
  ↓
[Function: Extract savings opportunities]
  ↓
[Dashboard + Email Report]

7. Real-time Market Research

Combine IoT data with web research for competitive analysis.

Flow:

[Datacake GraphQL Product Stats]
  ↓
[Function: Prepare research prompt]
  msg.prompt = `Our IoT device fleet shows these statistics:
                ${JSON.stringify(msg.payload)}
                
                Research and compare:
                1. Latest IoT industry benchmarks for 2025
                2. Our performance vs competitors
                3. Emerging trends that could affect our devices
                4. Recommended improvements based on market leaders
                
                Provide sources for key claims.`;
  return msg;
  ↓
[Datacake AI]
  Model: gpt-5-mini
  Web Search: ✅ Enabled
  Search Context: High
  ↓
[Debug/Report]

8. Anomaly Detection with Root Cause Analysis

Detect anomalies and automatically investigate root causes.

Flow:

[Datacake GraphQL Device]
  ↓
[Function: Detect anomaly]
  if (msg.payload.TEMPERATURE > threshold) {
    // Anomaly detected - get history
    msg.deviceId = msg.payload.id;
    return msg;
  }
  ↓
[Datacake GraphQL History]
  Time Range: Last 24 hours
  Fields: All sensor fields
  ↓
[Function: Root cause prompt]
  msg.prompt = `ANOMALY DETECTED: Temperature reading of ${msg.payload.currentTemp}°C (threshold: ${threshold}°C)
                
                Historical data:
                ${JSON.stringify(msg.payload.data)}
                
                Perform root cause analysis:
                1. When did the anomaly start?
                2. What other parameters changed around the same time?
                3. What are the most likely causes?
                4. What should be checked first?
                5. Is this a sensor issue or real environmental change?`;
  return msg;
  ↓
[Datacake AI]
  Model: gpt-5-mini
  Code Interpreter: ✅ Enabled
  ↓
[Email Alert with Analysis]

Advanced Features

Conversational Context

Use msg.previousResponseId to maintain context across multiple AI interactions:

// First message
msg.prompt = "Analyze this data";
msg.payload = sensorData;

// AI responds with responseId

// Follow-up message (maintains context)
msg.prompt = "Now create a summary table";
msg.previousResponseId = flow.get('previousResponseId');
// AI remembers the previous analysis

Benefits:

  • More efficient (context tokens are cached and cheaper)

  • AI understands references to previous analysis

  • Can build complex analysis step-by-step

  • Natural conversation flow

Dynamic Model Selection

Override the configured model based on task complexity:

// Use fast model for simple tasks
if (msg.taskType === 'simple') {
  msg.model = 'gpt-5-nano';
} else if (msg.taskType === 'complex') {
  msg.model = 'gpt-5';
} else {
  msg.model = 'gpt-5-mini'; // default
}

Error Handling

Always include error handling for AI nodes:

[Datacake AI]
  ↓
[Catch Node]
  ↓
[Function: Log error and notify]
  node.error(msg.error);
  msg.payload = {
    error: true,
    message: "AI analysis failed",
    details: msg.error
  };
  return msg;

Cost Management

Understanding Costs

The node automatically calculates costs for every request:

Token Types:

  • Input tokens: Your prompt + data

  • Cached tokens: Reused context (90% discount)

  • Output tokens: AI response

Cost Example:

{
  inputTokens: 1234,      // 1,234 tokens @ $0.25/1M
  cachedTokens: 500,      // 500 tokens @ $0.025/1M
  outputTokens: 2000,     // 2,000 tokens @ $2.00/1M
  totalCost: 0.004309     // $0.00431 total
}

Cost Optimization Tips

  1. Choose the right model:

    • Use gpt-5-nano for simple tasks ($0.40/1M output)

    • Use gpt-5-mini for most tasks ($2.00/1M output)

    • Reserve gpt-5 for complex analysis ($10.00/1M output)

  2. Optimize prompts:

    • Be specific but concise

    • Avoid sending unnecessary data

    • Use conversational context to reduce repeated information

  3. Control output length:

    • Set appropriate Max Output Tokens

    • Request concise outputs when appropriate

    • Use bullet points instead of paragraphs

  4. Use context efficiently:

    • Pass previousResponseId for follow-up questions

    • Cached tokens cost 90% less

    • Build on previous analysis instead of repeating

  5. Monitor usage:

    • Check msg.openai.cost after each request

    • Log costs to track spending over time

    • Set up alerts for high-cost requests

    • View usage at OpenAI Platform

Cost Estimation

The node shows real-time cost estimates in the configuration UI based on your Max Output Tokens setting.

Typical Costs:

  • Simple analysis: $0.001 - $0.005

  • Medium report: $0.005 - $0.020

  • Complex analysis: $0.020 - $0.100

  • With web search: +$0.005 - $0.020

Best Practices

Prompts

  1. Be specific: "Analyze temperature data and identify anomalies above 30°C" vs "Analyze data"

  2. Request structure: "Provide output as JSON with fields: issue, severity, recommendation"

  3. Set expectations: "Keep response under 200 words" or "Provide detailed analysis"

  4. Include context: Explain what the data represents and what you need

  5. Request calculations: "Calculate actual statistics" when Code Interpreter is enabled

Data Handling

  1. Format data properly: CSV or JSON for structured data

  2. Limit data size: Max ~100KB for optimal performance

  3. Preprocess when needed: Filter/aggregate large datasets before sending

  4. Include headers: CSV headers or JSON keys are important for understanding

  5. Add metadata: Include timestamps, units, device names

Performance

  1. Typical response times:

    • Simple queries: 5-15 seconds

    • With Code Interpreter: 10-30 seconds

    • With Web Search: 15-60 seconds

    • Complex analysis: 30-90 seconds

  2. Timeout: 5 minutes (600 seconds)

  3. Optimization tips:

    • Use simpler models for faster responses

    • Reduce output token limit for quicker replies

    • Avoid web search when not needed

Error Handling

  1. Always use Catch nodes for AI nodes

  2. Check for rate limits and implement backoff

  3. Validate inputs before sending to AI

  4. Log errors with context for debugging

  5. Provide fallback logic for critical flows

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Missing API key" error

  • Ensure Datacake AI Config node has valid OpenAI API key

  • Verify key starts with sk-

  • Check that key is still valid at OpenAI Platform

"Rate limit exceeded" error

  • You've exceeded OpenAI API rate limits

  • Wait and retry

  • Consider upgrading your OpenAI plan

  • Implement request throttling in your flows

"Quota exceeded" error

  • Your OpenAI account has insufficient credits

  • Add credits at OpenAI Platform

  • Check your usage limits

Request timeout

  • Query is too complex or data too large

  • Try with smaller dataset

  • Reduce Max Output Tokens

  • Simplify the prompt

  • Use a faster model (gpt-5-nano)

Unexpected response format

  • Check msg.openai.fullResponse for debugging

  • AI response format can vary

  • Request specific format in prompt

  • Add response format examples in prompt

Cost higher than expected

  • Check msg.openai.cost to see actual costs

  • Large data inputs increase input tokens

  • Long responses increase output tokens

  • Web search adds cost

  • Code execution adds compute time

Resources

Pricing Reference

Model
Input (per 1M tokens)
Cached Input (per 1M tokens)
Output (per 1M tokens)

gpt-5

$1.25

$0.125

$10.00

gpt-5-mini

$0.25

$0.025

$2.00

gpt-5-nano

$0.05

$0.005

$0.40

Note: Cached tokens (from context reuse) cost 90% less than regular input tokens.

Example Prompts

Data Analysis

Analyze the provided sensor data and create a comprehensive report including:
1. Statistical overview (mean, median, std dev, min, max)
2. Time series trends and patterns
3. Anomaly detection with severity ratings
4. Correlation analysis between parameters
5. Key insights and findings
6. Actionable recommendations

Execute Python code to calculate real statistics.

Report Generation

Create a professional markdown report from this IoT data:

## Required Sections:
- Executive Summary (3-5 bullet points)
- Data Quality Assessment
- Key Metrics and Statistics (in a table)
- Trend Analysis with visualizations description
- Anomalies and Alerts
- Recommendations (prioritized)
- Conclusion

Output ONLY the markdown report with no explanations.
Use actual calculated values, not examples.

Predictive Maintenance

Analyze this industrial equipment sensor data for predictive maintenance:

1. Identify normal operating ranges for each parameter
2. Detect deviations and degradation patterns
3. Assess failure risk (Low/Medium/High)
4. Estimate remaining useful life
5. Recommend maintenance timing and type
6. Prioritize actions by urgency and impact

Provide confidence levels for each prediction.

Optimization Recommendations

Analyze this energy consumption data and provide optimization recommendations:

1. Identify consumption patterns (daily, weekly, seasonal)
2. Detect inefficiencies and waste
3. Compare to industry benchmarks (use web search if enabled)
4. Calculate potential savings for each recommendation
5. Estimate ROI and payback period
6. Prioritize actions by impact and feasibility

Focus on actionable, specific recommendations.

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