1. A configuration system for use in a process plant having a process control system that performs manufacturing related control functions with respect to the process plant and a safety system that performs safety related control functions with respect to the process plant, comprising: a computer having a processor and a memory; a process control system controller communicatively coupled to the computer and adapted to perform process control functionality using one or more process control field devices; a safety system controller communicatively coupled to the computer and adapted to perform safety system functionality using one or more safety system field devices; a configuration database adapted to store configuration data related to both the process control system and to the safety system; and a configuration application stored on the memory of the computer and adapted to be executed on the processor to use the configuration database to enable one or more users to perform configuration of both the process control system and the safety system.