An automated machine wherein messages exchanged between components of the machine are forwarded to at least one component at a first time point that temporarily stores them and from that component to a central unit at a second time point is disclosed. Said first time point preceding said second time point within the framework of a cycle time of the automated machine. The time points are determined relative to that cycle time and provided to respective components in conjunction with a startup of the automated machine. The component temporarily storing messages forwards them in the manner of a layer-3 switch. This message forwarding is driven by the respective time points, rather than event-driven, can operate seamlessly in existing systems wherein communications are time-slot controlled, and decouples the components so that real-time communications within the machine can be optimized.