A method for configuring a system for control and automation services, the system for providing control and automation services comprising of (a) at least one central component having one or more control functions or one or more controllers for providing a control and automation service to one or more users; (b) a plurality of support components at a user site for availing control and automation services, wherein the support components comprise respective field devices for plant operation, the one or more users having the support components; (c) one or more dedicated communication links including internet for connecting the support components of the one or more users and the said central component; and (d) interfaces for enabling the service to the one or more users, wherein at least one of the interfaces is an integral part of the central component with a service provider, and at least one of the interfaces is an integral part of the support components with the one or more users; wherein the central component includes the one or more control functions or controllers configured for providing control for at least one plant, and wherein the interfaces comprise such components as communication, security and management components for configuring, providing, receiving, monitoring and maintaining the control and automation services, the method comprising the steps of: (i) receiving requirements for the control and automation service from one of the one or more users; (ii) engineering control devices and functions for the at least one central component and the support components; (iii) allocating resources in the at least one central component by configuring a server and the interfaces, wherein settings are configured to satisfy communication Quality of Service and application security required to keep the information confidential and integral to the one or more users, and in which another set of configuration for information security is provided in the interface and the server at the user site to define role based access of information and control to configure specific control requirements needed for the plant; (iv) establishing the communication link for the control and automation services through the interfaces between the at least one central component and the support components, whereby the interface with the service provider is enabled to communicate with the interface at the user site; and (v) commissioning a plant in the user site for the control and automation service from the service provider. (a) at least one central component having one or more control functions or one or more controllers for providing a control and automation service to one or more users; (b) a plurality of support components at a user site for availing control and automation services, wherein the support components comprise respective field devices for plant operation, the one or more users having the support components; (c) one or more dedicated communication links including internet for connecting the support components of the one or more users and the said central component; and (d) interfaces for enabling the service to the one or more users, wherein at least one of the interfaces is an integral part of the central component with a service provider, and at least one of the interfaces is an integral part of the support components with the one or more users; (i) receiving requirements for the control and automation service from one of the one or more users; (ii) engineering control devices and functions for the at least one central component and the support components; (iii) allocating resources in the at least one central component by configuring a server and the interfaces, wherein settings are configured to satisfy communication Quality of Service and application security required to keep the information confidential and integral to the one or more users, and in which another set of configuration for information security is provided in the interface and the server at the user site to define role based access of information and control to configure specific control requirements needed for the plant; (iv) establishing the communication link for the control and automation services through the interfaces between the at least one central component and the support components, whereby the interface with the service provider is enabled to communicate with the interface at the user site; and (v) commissioning a plant in the user site for the control and automation service from the service provider.