The present disclosure relates to automation technology. A first gateway is connected via a first communication network to a field device—and a second gateway is connected to the field device via a second communication network. The first and the second gateway are connected to a control unit. The first communication network and the second communication network are connected to a control room. The control room switches over to the other communication network and establishes a communication connection therewith if a problem is detected in the previous communication connection. Communication access to the first gateway is implemented in the control unit, and communication access to the second gateway is implemented in the control unit via a second driver. The control unit continuously analyses the first communication network and the second communication network and in the event of a control room switchover, switches over to the gateway of that network.