Apparatus and method for third party creation of control logic

An apparatus for providing control logic for automation controllers using a communication network operated by a first party, the apparatus comprising:

• an interface having an input and an output;
• a processor, the processor coupled to the interface, the processor configured to:
• provide, by a first party that distributes control logic for an automation controller owned by a second party, at least one interface for a third party to provide control logic for the automation controller, the third party being an entity other than the second party, wherein the automation controller is remotely located from the communication network;
• receive, by the first party at the communication network, the control logic from the third party via the at least one interface;
• select a hardware platform on which to operate the control logic;
• link the control logic to at least one operational characteristic of the hardware platform such that the control logic is operable to perform at least one predetermined function of the automation controller using the hardware platform;
• test and validate the control logic;
• analyze a result of the testing and the validating of the control logic according to a predetermined criteria;
• and
• when the predetermined criteria is satisfied, provide the control logic to a network-based web store operated by the first party at the communication network.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to provide control logic for automation controllers using a communication network by configuring the processor to:

• provide, by a first party that distributes control logic for an automation controller owned by a second party, at least one interface for a third party to provide control logic for the automation controller, the third party being an entity other than the second party, wherein the automation controller is remotely located from the communication network;
• receive, by the first party at the communication network, the control logic from the third party via the at least one interface;
• select a hardware platform on which to operate the control logic;
• link the control logic to at least one operational characteristic of the hardware platform such that the control logic is operable to perform at least one predetermined function of the automation controller using the hardware platform;
• test and validate the control logic;
• analyze a result of the testing and the validating of the control logic according to a predetermined criteria;
• and
• when the predetermined criteria is satisfied, provide the control logic to a network-based web store operated by the first party at the communication network and presenting the control logic to the second party.