Automation system

An automation system comprising:

• a first controller;
• a second controller;
• and
• an output device connected to the first and second controllers via a field bus, the output device comprising a module having at least one first sub-module, a second sub-module, and an operating mode switching device connected to a means comprising control software of the module, the control software for interrogating the operating mode switching device and selecting between control of the module in one of a standard mode or a copying mode;
• wherein the first controller includes first interconnection information which defines an assignment between the first controller and the first sub-module;
• wherein the second controller includes second interconnection information which defines an assignment between the second controller and the second sub-module;
• and
• wherein the module is further configured to be connected to a plurality of inputs for process signals, a process signal image being stored in a first memory area assigned to the first sub-module, the module additionally including a copying device configured to copy the process signal image from the first memory area to a second memory area assigned to the second sub-module.