A method of process control in a PCS. The PCS provides host controllers coupled together, I/O devices, field devices, and processing equipment, configured together to run a process, the plurality of host controllers having stored a single online orchestrator program for coordinating a shared and synchronized database for the host controllers, wherein the online orchestrator program uses and tracks currently available host controllers and selected control programs for controlling the process. The PCS also includes an offline orchestrator. The orchestrator is run on the currently available host controllers that shares and synchronizes the initial shared database version to the currently available host controllers. A selected host controller responsive to an event broadcasts updated shared database version to the currently available host controllers. The offline orchestrator accepts commands relating to a deployment/undeployment of control program(s) among the currently running host controllers in response to changing requirement(s) by the control programs or an outside environment.

A system for managing physical assets in a manufacturing system includes a plurality of product controllers corresponding to physical assets in the manufacturing system. Each product controller is configured to store a desired product state for a physical asset and collect sensor data received from other digital companions. Furthermore, each product controller determines an actual product state based on the collected sensor data, as well as one or more actions to be performed on one or more physical assets in the manufacture system to yield the desired product state. Once the actions are determined, the product controller transmits control instructions for performing the one or more actions to one or more operation controllers in the manufacturing system.

A system for managing physical assets in a manufacturing system includes a plurality of product controllers corresponding to physical assets in the manufacturing system. Each product controller is configured to store a desired product state for a physical asset and collect sensor data received from other digital companions. Furthermore, each product controller determines an actual product state based on the collected sensor data, as well as one or more actions to be performed on one or more physical assets in the manufacture system to yield the desired product state. Once the actions are determined, the product controller transmits control instructions for performing the one or more actions to one or more operation controllers in the manufacturing system.

A method of process control in a PCS. The PCS provides host controllers coupled together, I/O devices, field devices, and processing equipment, configured together to run a process, the plurality of host controllers having stored a single online orchestrator program for coordinating a shared and synchronized database for the host controllers, wherein the online orchestrator program uses and tracks currently available host controllers and selected control programs for controlling the process. The PCS also includes an offline orchestrator. The orchestrator is run on the currently available host controllers that shares and synchronizes the initial shared database version to the currently available host controllers. A selected host controller responsive to an event broadcasts updated shared database version to the currently available host controllers. The offline orchestrator accepts commands relating to a deployment/undeployment of control program(s) among the currently running host controllers in response to changing requirement(s) by the control programs or an outside environment.