Abstract: A programmable logic controller system including a private operating system that does not support a TCP/IP protocol, and a communication module connected to a private communication bus and a TCP/IP network, and at least one intelligent module. The communication module includes TCP/IP connection and communication functions, a plurality of delegation services, and a transcoding and routing service configured to encode, decode, and route a request. The private communication bus includes a plurality of supported protocols. Further, the at least one intelligent module includes an HTTP server and at least one application having an application programming interface. The application programming interface is configured to use the TCP/IP connection and communication functions from a remote location. In addition, the plurality of delegation services are configured to enable the at least one application in the at least one intelligent module to delegate services to the communication module on the TCP/IP network.