Control system, method and computer program for an automatic milking machine

A method of controlling (Ctrl) an automatic milking machine (110) implemented by a control unit (120) associated with the milking machine (110) and that controls and operates the milking machine (110), the method comprising:

• receiving control commands and/or parameter settings (CMD) at the control unit (120) for controlling and operating the milking machine (110), said control commands and/or parameter settings (CMD) received either from a local user interface (130) fixedly arranged at the automatic milking machine (110) or from a remote terminal (161, 162, 163) in communicative connection with the control unit (120) via at least one network (150) and a communication interface (140) of the controller that is in communication with the network;
• receiving a lock command (CMD [lk]) at the control unit (120), the lock command (CMD [lk]) having been generated and transmitted by the local user interface (130);
• and
• in response to said receiving of the lock command (CMD[lk]) setting the automatic milking machine (110) to operate in a single-control mode in which the automatic milking machine (110) is locked to operate exclusively to control commands and/or parameter settings (CMD) received from of the local user interface (130) and the remote terminal (161, 162, 163) identified in association with the lock command (CMD[lk]).