The invention relates to a system for process automation with a plurality of intelligent sensors (2.1... 2.n), wherein each sensor (2.1... 2.n) is used to determine or monitor a physical or chemical process variable of a medium (6) and comprises, respectively a primary-side plug-type connector element (3.1... 3.n) and a secondary-side plug-type connector element (4.1... 4.n) provided with a sensor element. The power supply and the data communication between both of the plug-type connector elements (3.1... 3.n; 4.1... 4.n) occurs via a releasable plug-type connector coupling (7.1... 7.n). Each sensor (2.1... 2.n) is associated with a web service interface (8.1... 8.n) via which the sensor (2.1... 2.n) can be connected to a wide area network (WAN) or to a local area network (LAN). A control unit (10) or a server, which provides at least one piece of software for generating a virtual measuring transducer (VM), is provided. The virtual measuring transducer (VM) and the sensors (2.1... 2.n) communicate via the web service-interface (8.1... 8.n).