A plurality of real control inputs and real process measurements provided by a real automation system controlling an industrial process are continuously stored continuously storing in a historian database. At the same time, a plurality of forecast control inputs and process measurements provided by a virtual automation system based on a simulation model are continuously stored in a futurian database. Both the past operation of the industrial process up to present time based on data from the historian database and the forecast future operation of the industrial process from the present time onwards based on data from the futurian database are displayed on the operator screen.