Abstract: An integrated control system for controlling and monitoring at least one machine is provided. The integrated control system includes a means for programming instructions for generation of control signals for the controlled machine. The control system of the present invention includes a real-time operating system, a virtual integration of a PLC, an MC and an MMI into one seamless multi-tasking application. The PLC and MC are embedded in the software architecture of the integrated control system and operable by a single processor, and these components have access to the same memory means via a bus.