Processing station with at least one process module, the process module having means for performing a predetermined working step on a workpiece passing through the processing station, and a controller associated with a program control unit on which a program for controlling the process module is executed, and a bus system for transmitting data to the controller of the process module, characterized in that the program control unit is provided in the process module and/or the controller, the controller comprising a program data administrator unit provided as a memory in which process module specific data is stored, the data comprising at least one identification identifying the process module, a value indicating the location of the program and a value indicating whether the program is to be executed in the program control unit of either the process module or the basis controller, and the transmission of the program associated with the process module from the program data memory to the program control unit is coordinated dependent on the module specific data.