Method for integrating at least one field device into a network of automation technology

A method for integrating at least one field device into a network of automation technology having a plurality of field devices, which are connected with one another via at least one data bus, on which a bus protocol is running, arranged distributed in an automated plant, wherein accessing of the field devices occurs via a field access unit, which communicates with at least one automation/integration platform and at least one web server of a service provider, the method comprising:

• providing for each field device a virtual image of the field device in a database;
• the virtual image describes the field device to be integrated into the automated plant comprehensively relative to its field device specific and application-specific properties in the automated plant;
• the service provider transmits to the operator of the automated plant via cloud-computing web services, or Internet based services, automatically or on query, the virtual image of the field device with concrete field device- and application-specific properties at run time (the virtual image is preferably transmitted directly into the field device;
• and
• the field device performs its function in the automated plant, as soon as it is integrated into the network.

A system with a plurality of field devices of automation technology for performing a method for integrating at least one field device into a network of automation technology having a plurality of field devices, which are connected with one another via at least one data bus, on which a bus protocol is running, arranged distributed in an automated plant, wherein accessing of the field devices occurs via a field access unit, which communicates with at least one automation/integration platform and at least one web server of a service provider, the method comprising:

• providing for each field device a virtual image of the field device in a database;
• the virtual image describes the field device to be integrated into the automated plant comprehensively relative to its field device specific and application-specific properties in the automated plant;
• the service provider transmits to the operator of the automated plant via cloud-computing web services, or Internet based services, automatically or on query, the virtual image of the field device with concrete field device- and application-specific properties at run time (the virtual image is preferably transmitted directly into the field device;
• and the field device performs its function in the automated plant, as soon as it is integrated into the network, the system comprising:
• at least one field access unit;
• and
• at least one automation/integration platform, wherein:
• said field devices are connected with one another at the field level via a first data bus, on which communication is running via at least a first bus protocol;
• said field access unit listens to communication on said first data bus and, for the case in which communication with said automation/integration platform occurs via at least a second data bus, on which at least a second bus protocol is running, performs conversion of the two bus protocols.