A method for operating an on-premise gateway device, the method comprising: receiving, via a processor, a request to access data of an industrial automation device from a requesting device; identifying, via the processor, the industrial automation device based on the request; sending, via the processor, a query for template data to the industrial automation device based on the request, wherein the industrial automation device receives data generated by one or more components included in the industrial automation device and stores the received data in the template data via symbol object instances for later access, wherein the industrial automation device comprises a plurality of datasets associated with a plurality of symbol object instances, wherein each symbol object instance references one or more template object instances, wherein a template object instance of the one or more template object instances defines a structure, a format and features and/or properties of a portion of the data that has a logical association with a respective symbol object instance of the one or more symbol object instances, wherein the template data is adapted to be accessed directly via reference to the template object instances and the symbol object instances, wherein each symbol object instance comprises a textual name used to represent an instance of data or a value within a data storage entity, wherein each of the plurality of symbol object instances is categorized with respect to a plurality of categories comprising an identity of the industrial automation device, a state of the industrial automation device, a runtime status of the industrial automation device, maintenance status associated with the industrial automation device, sustainability information of the industrial automation device, or any combination thereof, and wherein the template data comprises one or more instantaneous values associated with at least one of the plurality of datasets and one or more of the plurality of categories; receiving, via the processor, the template data; and sending, via the processor, the template data to the requesting device. receiving, via a processor, a request to access data of an industrial automation device from a requesting device; identifying, via the processor, the industrial automation device based on the request; sending, via the processor, a query for template data to the industrial automation device based on the request, wherein the industrial automation device receives data generated by one or more components included in the industrial automation device and stores the received data in the template data via symbol object instances for later access, wherein the industrial automation device comprises a plurality of datasets associated with a plurality of symbol object instances, wherein each symbol object instance references one or more template object instances, wherein a template object instance of the one or more template object instances defines a structure, a format and features and/or properties of a portion of the data that has a logical association with a respective symbol object instance of the one or more symbol object instances, wherein the template data is adapted to be accessed directly via reference to the template object instances and the symbol object instances, wherein each symbol object instance comprises a textual name used to represent an instance of data or a value within a data storage entity, wherein each of the plurality of symbol object instances is categorized with respect to a plurality of categories comprising an identity of the industrial automation device, a state of the industrial automation device, a runtime status of the industrial automation device, maintenance status associated with the industrial automation device, sustainability information of the industrial automation device, or any combination thereof, and wherein the template data comprises one or more instantaneous values associated with at least one of the plurality of datasets and one or more of the plurality of categories; receiving, via the processor, the template data; and sending, via the processor, the template data to the requesting device.