A system, comprising: an enclosure housing of an automation controller; and a display device comprising a first communication interface port , a second communication interface port , and an interface switch , wherein: the first communication interface port is configured to communicatively couple with the automation controller , wherein the automation controller comprises a programmable logic controller, PLC; the display device is installed in a front door panel of the enclosure of the automation controller, wherein the enclosure housing is an electrical cabinet in which components are housed, said components comprise the PLC; the second communication interface port is configured to accept input from an external electronic device , and wherein the second communication port is located on a front panel of the display device; and the interface switch is configured to detect a physical coupling with the second communication interface port or communication traffic from the second communication interface port and switch the display device between at least two modes including a first mode that performs display functionality and a second mode that performs communication interface port adapter functionality for communicating with the automation controller via the external device without having to open the enclosure. an enclosure housing of an automation controller; and a display device comprising a first communication interface port , a second communication interface port , and an interface switch , wherein: the first communication interface port is configured to communicatively couple with the automation controller , wherein the automation controller comprises a programmable logic controller, PLC; the display device is installed in a front door panel of the enclosure of the automation controller, wherein the enclosure housing is an electrical cabinet in which components are housed, said components comprise the PLC; the second communication interface port is configured to accept input from an external electronic device , and wherein the second communication port is located on a front panel of the display device; and the interface switch is configured to detect a physical coupling with the second communication interface port or communication traffic from the second communication interface port and switch the display device between at least two modes including a first mode that performs display functionality and a second mode that performs communication interface port adapter functionality for communicating with the automation controller via the external device without having to open the enclosure. the first communication interface port is configured to communicatively couple with the automation controller , wherein the automation controller comprises a programmable logic controller, PLC; the display device is installed in a front door panel of the enclosure of the automation controller, wherein the enclosure housing is an electrical cabinet in which components are housed, said components comprise the PLC; the second communication interface port is configured to accept input from an external electronic device , and wherein the second communication port is located on a front panel of the display device; and the interface switch is configured to detect a physical coupling with the second communication interface port or communication traffic from the second communication interface port and switch the display device between at least two modes including a first mode that performs display functionality and a second mode that performs communication interface port adapter functionality for communicating with the automation controller via the external device without having to open the enclosure. <EOS>