A method comprising: receiving via a cloud network, by an internet of things, IoT, edge appliance, a configuration signal to configure the IoT edge appliance to communicate with at least one of a first device on the cloud network or a second device on an industrial process control and automation system network; configuring, by the IoT edge appliance, a communication link with the cloud network and the industrial process control and automation system network, wherein the IoT edge appliance includes a distributed systems architecture, DSA, that includes a global data access, GDA, data scheme that is configured for periodic and asynchronous data access, the IOT edge appliance are aggregated with partner appliances and elements to provide awareness of tag name and asset class of the elements; receiving, by the IoT edge appliance, an input of a credential that enables the IoT edge appliance to activate the configuration signal to configure the IoT edge appliance to communicate with at least one of the first device on the cloud network or the second device on the industrial process control and automation system network; and communicating data, by the IoT edge appliance, with the at least one of the first device on the cloud network or the second device on the industrial process control and automation system network, wherein the configuration signal configures the IoT edge appliance to enable scale out of distributed control systems, DCSs, via communication between the cloud network and devices including sensors, actuators, controllers, HMI, and applications in the industrial process control and automation system network. receiving via a cloud network, by an internet of things, IoT, edge appliance, a configuration signal to configure the IoT edge appliance to communicate with at least one of a first device on the cloud network or a second device on an industrial process control and automation system network; configuring, by the IoT edge appliance, a communication link with the cloud network and the industrial process control and automation system network, wherein the IoT edge appliance includes a distributed systems architecture, DSA, that includes a global data access, GDA, data scheme that is configured for periodic and asynchronous data access, the IOT edge appliance are aggregated with partner appliances and elements to provide awareness of tag name and asset class of the elements; receiving, by the IoT edge appliance, an input of a credential that enables the IoT edge appliance to activate the configuration signal to configure the IoT edge appliance to communicate with at least one of the first device on the cloud network or the second device on the industrial process control and automation system network; and communicating data, by the IoT edge appliance, with the at least one of the first device on the cloud network or the second device on the industrial process control and automation system network, wherein the configuration signal configures the IoT edge appliance to enable scale out of distributed control systems, DCSs, via communication between the cloud network and devices including sensors, actuators, controllers, HMI, and applications in the industrial process control and automation system network.