Embodiments herein describe forming clusters of network connected orchestration components (referred to herein as orchestrators) and distributing the management of a plurality of work cells among the orchestrators. That is, each cluster can include a plurality of work cell orchestration nodes which are the compute resources used to host an orchestrator for managing the work cells. Each cluster can be assigned to manage a particular type or version of a work cell. Because managing a work cell may use only a small fraction of the compute resources of the orchestration nodes, each orchestration node can manage multiple work cells. The embodiments herein describe distributing the work cells amongst the orchestration nodes using a work cell table which permits the orchestration nodes to assert ownership over new work cells and enable automated failover in case one of the orchestration nodes fails.

A system includes an operator console having at least one graphical display configured to present information associated with an industrial process and with a control system associated with the industrial process. The system also includes a mobile extension associated with the operator console. The mobile extension is configured to present first process-related information to an operator and receive second process-related information from the operator for the control system. The operator console is configured to provide state information to the mobile extension, where the state information is associated with operations of the operator console. The mobile extension could be configured to base at least part of the first process-related information or at least part of the second process-related information on a location of the apparatus. The operator console could be configured to provide an indication that the mobile extension is currently in use by the operator.