This paper addresses the development of the supervision/control software for a multipurpose three-tank system to teach control engineering fundamentals. The laboratory equipment consists in a three series tanks with industrial instrumentation. The design requirements were determined by the users that perform academic activities in the area of process control. The requirements for the software include: data acquisition; clear visualization of the components involve in the process; communication with the different actuators; alarm generation, recorder; data logger; selection of different control strategies and technological systems (PLC, industrial controller or PC); and a friendly human machine interface. The equipment is being used to teach undergrad courses, grad courses, industrial training, and research projects. (C) 2016, IFAC (International Federation of Antomatic Control) Hosting by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.