A method for operating a plurality of geographically distributed compressors, wherein the outputs of the geographically distributed compressors are coupled to a compressed air distribution system within an industrial automation environment, is provided. The method includes receiving performance data from the plurality of compressors, and receiving current environment data from a plurality of sensors within the industrial automation environment, including at least some sensors within the compressed air distribution system. The method also includes assigning a guide vane weight to each compressor based at least in part on a capacity of each compressor, identifying a target system air pressure, and processing the performance data, current environment data, guide vane weights, and target system air pressure to determine control settings for each of the plurality of compressors.