Abstract: A method includes receiving information defining multiple functional configurations associated with an industrial process control and automation system. The functional configurations identify operations to be performed by the control and automation system. The method also includes receiving, at a test system integrated in the control and automation system, information defining multiple tests to be performed on the control and automation system. The method further includes executing the tests using the test system, where the test system accesses data from both the test system and the control and automation system.

Abstract: A method includes installing new communication interfaces in first process controllers of an industrial process control and automation system. The first process controllers are configured to communicate over a first supervisory network, and the communication interfaces are configured to communicate over a second supervisory network of a different type. The method also includes migrating the first process controllers to second process controllers of a different type while maintaining control over an industrial process being controlled by the first process controllers. The second process controllers are configured to communicate over the second supervisory network.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information defining multiple functional configurations associated with an industrial process control and automation system. The functional configurations identify operations to be performed by the control and automation system. The method also includes receiving, at a test system integrated in the control and automation system, information defining multiple tests to be performed on the control and automation system. The method further includes executing the tests using the test system, where the test system accesses data from both the test system and the control and automation system.

Abstract: A method includes installing new communication interfaces in first process controllers of an industrial process control and automation system. The first process controllers are configured to communicate over a first supervisory network, and the communication interfaces are configured to communicate over a second supervisory network of a different type. The method also includes migrating the first process controllers to second process controllers of a different type while maintaining control over an industrial process being controlled by the first process controllers. The second process controllers are configured to communicate over the second supervisory network.

Abstract: A method includes initializing, at a first controller, at least one process step of a control recipe from a master recipe associated with a batch process in response to detection of an event associated with the batch process. The method also includes executing, at the first controller, the at least one process step of the control recipe. The method further includes initializing, at the first controller, at least one second process step of the control recipe while executing the at least one process step of the control recipe. Initializing the at least one process step of the control recipe from the master recipe may include copying only a portion of the master recipe into the control recipe that is needed to begin execution of the control recipe.

Abstract: A method includes initializing, at a first controller, at least one process step of a control recipe from a master recipe associated with a batch process in response to detection of an event associated with the batch process. The method also includes executing, at the first controller, the at least one process step of the control recipe. The method further includes initializing, at the first controller, at least one second process step of the control recipe while executing the at least one process step of the control recipe. Initializing the at least one process step of the control recipe from the master recipe may include copying only a portion of the master recipe into the control recipe that is needed to begin execution of the control recipe.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining current structural information describing a current structure of a process control system and retrieving from a checkpoint file stored structural information describing a previous structure of the process control system. If the current structural information matches the stored structural information, current configuration and operational information of a controller in the process control system is conformed to previous configuration and operational information stored in the checkpoint file.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory capable of storing information defining multiple function block types. A combination of instances of one or more function block types is capable of implementing a control process in a controller within a process control system. The apparatus also includes a function block editor capable of allowing a user to dynamically create or modify one or more of the function block types using a graphical user interface. The function block editor is capable of allowing the user to define one or more parameters for a function block type being created or modified.