Embodiments of the disclosure relate to real-time debugging systems and methods. In one embodiment, a system that includes a server module and a client module can be provided. The server module can be executable on a first computer and can be adapted to use a native communications format for interactive transfer of industrial automation data between the first computer and at least one industrial automation element. The client module, which can be executable on the same computer as the server module or on a different computer, can include a debugging application configured to use a universal communications format for communicatively interacting with the server module for accessing the industrial automation data and debugging one or more programming portions associated with the industrial automation data.

Systems, methods, and software for operating a mobile device to control industrial automation equipment are provided herein. In a first example, a mobile device application comprising program instructions executable by a mobile device is provided. When executed by the mobile device, the program instructions direct the mobile device to obtain industrial device information corresponding to an industrial device within an automation environment, and display the industrial device information on a display of the mobile device.