A system for exchanging data between control or evaluation apparatuses and data- producing devices, such as tools, testing installations, calibrating installations or appliances for automatic identification is proposed, wherein the system comprises a control or evaluation apparatus and at least one network-capable module which can be connected or is connected to a data-producing device, wherein the control or evaluation apparatus and the network-capable module are designed to exchange data via a wireless data link, wherein, in a first operating mode, a communication protocol provided for exchanging data between the control or evaluation apparatus and the data-producing device is tunneled via the wireless data link.

A human-machine interface device suitable for use in an automation system comprising a plurality of the human-machine interface devices, where each human-machine interface device includes at least one hardware resource, a system bus, and an interconnect circuit and is configured for interconnecting with at least one other human-machine interface device to form a device cluster, where the interconnect circuit provides a communication channel between individual system bus in each human-machine interface device forming the device cluster.

Described are systems, methods and computer-program product for replacing a prior input/output (I/O) module and terminal board with a universal I/O device by providing software based instructions and configuration settings for the installer. The method includes provisions for new wiring changes or harnesses as well as preset adapters, converting prior device configuration settings from an I/O module, pack, and/or terminal board to new configuration settings for a programmable I/O device, generating a wiring chart for any wiring changes based on the settings, and displaying the information for the installer and/or programmer's use. This allows a universal I/O device capable of each channel having different operating modes to replace one or more of a mixture of several types of dedicated I/O modules. The installation documentation and configurations are automatically generated, reducing the chance of errors due to misinterpretation of multiple product documents while allowing the automatic transfer of product settings.

Described are systems, methods and computer-program product for replacing a prior input/output (I/O) module and terminal board with a universal I/O device by providing software based instructions and configuration settings for the installer. The method includes provisions for new wiring changes or harnesses as well as preset adapters, converting prior device configuration settings from an I/O module, pack, and/or terminal board to new configuration settings for a programmable I/O device, generating a wiring chart for any wiring changes based on the settings, and displaying the information for the installer and/or programmer's use. This allows a universal I/O device capable of each channel having different operating modes to replace one or more of a mixture of several types of dedicated I/O modules. The installation documentation and configurations are automatically generated, reducing the chance of errors due to misinterpretation of multiple product documents while allowing the automatic transfer of product settings.