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The last few years have seen an increasing trend in the use of computer-based technology for automation and process-control problems. Modern computer-based control systems must be user-friendly, flexible and easily configurable. The use of mass-storage devices with this technology permits the storage of copious quantities of historical plant data. This facility presents the control engineer with an ideal mechanism for performing process-analysis, simulation and control system design. This paper outlines an integrated system which permits an inexperienced user to engineer a computer-based process-control system within a few man days, while at the same time providing the control engineer with access to a set of sophisticated analysis and design tools. The computer system comprises a real-time database, software for communication with front-end input/output equipment, a configurable man-machine interface and a comprehensive logging subsystem for the long-term storage of plant data. A remote access facility allows networking to foreign intelligent devices such as IBM PC's and provides secure access to the real-time database and historical logfiles. Formatted transfer of logfile data to the foreign computers allows the use of proprietary software packages for process study, modelling, system identification and multivariable control system design. This networking facility reduces the necessity for higher level control functions such as optimisation to be implemented in the central process computer.