A process control system, comprising: a) a plurality of field versatile control gateways (FVCGs) that interface with field devices, each of the plurality of FVCGs comprising a microprocessor, memory, routing database, routing module, protocol translator, wireless interface card and antenna, wherein the FVCGs provide for control-in-the-field and logic-in-the-field capabilities, and wherein the FVCGs communicate with field devices using one or more protocols selected from the group 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, discrete signals, wireless, and serial, Ethernet interface, and wherein the FVCGs provide for multiplexed communication of data between the FVCGs and a central control location via one or more of a hardwired high speed link protocol, a wireless connection, or a hardwired high speed link protocol and wireless connection, and wherein the routing database and routing module provide for routing of data between the field devices and the FVCG microprocessor and between the FVCG microprocessor and a central control location, and wherein the protocol translator provides for conversion of field device data from 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, serial, Ethernet interface, and discrete signal protocols into high speed link protocol or a wireless connection for communication with the central control location; characterised by: b) a plurality of versatile control interfaces, located in the central control location, that collect data that is transmitted to and from the FVCGs; c) a central versatile control switch, located in the central control location, that collects data transmitted to and from the versatile control interfaces and that interfaces with a distributed control system DCS; and d) a plant routing controller, located in the central control location, that provides supervisory control of the routing of data within the process control system; e) an interface with an emergency shutdown controller; and f) wherein one of the DCS and the ESD controller includes an alarm module that monitors the health of the FVCGs, reports any faults to the central control room and/or process interface building, and transfers back to the one of the DCS and the ESD controller that includes the alarm module the control-in-the-field and logic-in-the-field capabilities from any of the FVCGs whose health quality degrades. a) a plurality of field versatile control gateways (FVCGs) that interface with field devices, each of the plurality of FVCGs comprising a microprocessor, memory, routing database, routing module, protocol translator, wireless interface card and antenna, wherein the FVCGs provide for control-in-the-field and logic-in-the-field capabilities, and wherein the FVCGs communicate with field devices using one or more protocols selected from the group 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, discrete signals, wireless, and serial, Ethernet interface, and wherein the FVCGs provide for multiplexed communication of data between the FVCGs and a central control location via one or more of a hardwired high speed link protocol, a wireless connection, or a hardwired high speed link protocol and wireless connection, and wherein the routing database and routing module provide for routing of data between the field devices and the FVCG microprocessor and between the FVCG microprocessor and a central control location, and wherein the protocol translator provides for conversion of field device data from 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, serial, Ethernet interface, and discrete signal protocols into high speed link protocol or a wireless connection for communication with the central control location; wherein the FVCGs provide for control-in-the-field and logic-in-the-field capabilities, and wherein the FVCGs communicate with field devices using one or more protocols selected from the group 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, discrete signals, wireless, and serial, Ethernet interface, and wherein the FVCGs provide for multiplexed communication of data between the FVCGs and a central control location via one or more of a hardwired high speed link protocol, a wireless connection, or a hardwired high speed link protocol and wireless connection, and wherein the routing database and routing module provide for routing of data between the field devices and the FVCG microprocessor and between the FVCG microprocessor and a central control location, and wherein the protocol translator provides for conversion of field device data from 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, serial, Ethernet interface, and discrete signal protocols into high speed link protocol or a wireless connection for communication with the central control location; b) a plurality of versatile control interfaces, located in the central control location, that collect data that is transmitted to and from the FVCGs; c) a central versatile control switch, located in the central control location, that collects data transmitted to and from the versatile control interfaces and that interfaces with a distributed control system DCS; and d) a plant routing controller, located in the central control location, that provides supervisory control of the routing of data within the process control system; e) an interface with an emergency shutdown controller; and f) wherein one of the DCS and the ESD controller includes an alarm module that monitors the health of the FVCGs, reports any faults to the central control room and/or process interface building, and transfers back to the one of the DCS and the ESD controller that includes the alarm module the control-in-the-field and logic-in-the-field capabilities from any of the FVCGs whose health quality degrades.