For productive engineering, concurrent engineering by multiple EWS on a single system database can be performed. Exclusive access control to each database avoids duplicate modification.

A virtual FCS can be prepared on a EWS. Both the control functions in FCS and operation and monitoring on HMI can be tested with the test environment. This enables debugging without FCS hardware, and partial application testing to reduce engineering lead-time dramatically. For system expansion and modification, the application can be tested and confirmed without any impact on the plant.

FCS applications can be changed without having to stop the FCS, and there's no impact on other control functions other than the portion being modified. Accordingly, the application changes are also reflected in ICS.