1. A system comprising: a computing cloud comprising at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit, wherein the computing cloud is configured to provide at least one service; and a plurality of clients each configured to communicate with the computing cloud and at least one industrial automation unit and to transmit information associated with the at least one industrial automation unit to the computing cloud; wherein the at least one processing unit in the computing cloud is configured to determine a status of the at least one industrial automation unit using the information provided by the clients.