A system for monitoring or controlling a remote programmable device is provided. The system includes a server configured for connection to the programmable device and a local computing device. The server includes code that establishes a data structure accessible by both devices and including a plurality of user configurable records. The server receives instructions from the local device to configure each record as an input, output or input/output channel corresponding to input, output or input/output parameters of the programmable device and to define input values for the input channels and input/output channels. The server transmits the input values and input/output values to the programmable device and receives output values and input/output values from the programmable device for transmission to the local computing device.