Various embodiments of the teachings herein include an industrial data integration device. An example device includes: a first interaction module to interact with a first industrial field device based on a non-standard protocol; a life cycle management module to manage a life cycle of the first interaction module; and a service discovery module to discover a first service provided by the first interaction module. The first service is related to an interaction between the first interaction module and the first industrial field device.

In a method for operating an automation system having a first central unit and a second central unit connected with one another for communication and several automation devices connected for communication to the second central unit, information relating to a plurality of communication channels arranged between the second central unit and a respective automation device is compiled in a communication data record, and information relating to communication relationships with the plurality of communication channels and the respective automation device that can be accessed via the plurality of communication channels is automatically transmitted to the first central unit, based on a communication data record.