Methods for on-process migration from one type of process control device to different type of process control device

A method comprising:

• controlling an industrial process using first process controllers of an industrial process control and automation system, each of the first process controllers comprising a first communication interface for communicating over a first supervisory network and a second communication interface for communicating over a second supervisory network of a different type;
• installing a direct-connected operator station configured to communicate directly with the first process controllers;
• replacing a secondary one of the first process controllers with a primary one of multiple second process controllers;
• operating the primary one of the second process controllers using at least a primary server while operating a primary one of the first process controllers using the direct-connected operator station;
• and
• replacing the primary one of the first process controllers with a secondary one of the second process controllers;
• wherein the first process controllers are replaced with the second process controllers while maintaining control over the industrial process.