MQTT Sparkplug is a specification that defines how to use MQTT in industrial IoT environments. It provides a standardized payload format, addressing data modeling and state management challenges in device-to-cloud communication. Sparkplug is particularly important for interoperability in manufacturing, energy, and industrial automation. By enforcing structure and defining topic conventions, it ensures devices and systems speak the same “language.” It helps IoT platforms achieve plug-and-play functionality across vendors. Sparkplug has become a cornerstone for industrial-grade MQTT applications.