A method for facilitating the replacement of one or more pre-existing dedicated input/output (I/O) modules and terminal boards with one or more universal I/O modules comprising: obtaining information about the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards, wherein the information includes at least one or more functions of the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards; determining the one or more functions of the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards that can be performed by the one or more universal I/O modules; providing instructions for replacement of one or more pre-existing dedicated input/output modules and terminal boards with the one or more universal I/O modules, wherein the instructions include the functions that can be performed by the one or more universal I/O modules and wherein providing the instructions comprise preparing a report of spare channels on the one or more universal I/O modules, creating wiring diagrams for wiring in the one or more universal I/O modules, and creating configuration files and software settings for software that interfaces with the one or more universal I/O modules, characterized in that if the one or more functions of the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards cannot be performed by the one or more universal I/O modules, then: determining any gaps between the one or more functions of the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards and the functions that can be performed by the one or more universal I/O modules and reporting the gaps; and preparing a report of spare channels on the one or more universal I/O modules, creating wiring diagrams for wiring in the one or more universal I/O modules, and creating configuration files and software settings for software that interfaces with the one or more universal I/O modules, wherein the report identifies the gaps. obtaining information about the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards, wherein the information includes at least one or more functions of the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards; determining the one or more functions of the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards that can be performed by the one or more universal I/O modules; providing instructions for replacement of one or more pre-existing dedicated input/output modules and terminal boards with the one or more universal I/O modules, wherein the instructions include the functions that can be performed by the one or more universal I/O modules and wherein providing the instructions comprise preparing a report of spare channels on the one or more universal I/O modules, creating wiring diagrams for wiring in the one or more universal I/O modules, and creating configuration files and software settings for software that interfaces with the one or more universal I/O modules, characterized in that if the one or more functions of the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards cannot be performed by the one or more universal I/O modules, then: determining any gaps between the one or more functions of the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards and the functions that can be performed by the one or more universal I/O modules and reporting the gaps; and preparing a report of spare channels on the one or more universal I/O modules, creating wiring diagrams for wiring in the one or more universal I/O modules, and creating configuration files and software settings for software that interfaces with the one or more universal I/O modules, wherein the report identifies the gaps. determining any gaps between the one or more functions of the one or more pre-existing dedicated I/O modules and terminal boards and the functions that can be performed by the one or more universal I/O modules and reporting the gaps; and preparing a report of spare channels on the one or more universal I/O modules, creating wiring diagrams for wiring in the one or more universal I/O modules, and creating configuration files and software settings for software that interfaces with the one or more universal I/O modules, wherein the report identifies the gaps.