On-demand device templates for integrating devices in a processing facility

A process controller combination, comprising:

• a process controller including a first processor and first memory;
• a configuration tool coupled to said process controller comprising a second processor implementing a device template generating algorithm stored in a second memory, said device template generating algorithm implementing:
• generating a custom device template for a controller controllable (CC) device (i) by modifying an existing device template having a device description including a list of device parameters, connection details for communications including assembly structures, and a mapping of said device parameters into said assembly structures to include at least one modification or (ii) from said device description;
• automatically creating a device instance from said custom device template, wherein said device instance stores values representing said CC device including said list of device parameters and said connection details for said CC device, and
• downloading said device instance to the process controller;
• wherein said process controller is programmed to use information from said device instance to configure a communication driver, and set up a connection between said process controller and said CC device for enabling reading and/or writing values of said device parameters between said process controller and said CC device.