1. A template-based supervisory process control and manufacturing information system comprising: a processor; a memory device coupled to the processor; an object template library storing a set of previously defined object templates; and an integrated development environment (IDE) stored in the memory device and executed by the processor, said IDE comprising: instructions enabling a user to create new object templates from the previously defined object templates and to import the new object templates into the object template library; instructions enabling the user to configure the object templates in the object template library; instructions enabling the user to instantiate objects from the object templates in the object template library; and instructions enabling the user to interact with an instantiated object through multiple distinct interfaces; wherein at least one of the new object templates is a child object template that has been derived from a parent object template; wherein the child object template inherits a component from the parent object template; and wherein the inherited component can only be changed at the parent object template level, and when it is changed, the change is propagated to the child object template.