A Field Device Tool (FDT)-based application is provided. The FDT-based application includes at least one communication Device Type Manager (communication DTM) and a router Device Type Manager (DTM). The communication DTM corresponds with a type of communication protocol that an at least one plant asset follows. The communication DTM is configured to provide an interface for communication between the FDT-based application and the communication protocol that the plant asset follows. The router DTM is coupleable to an asset optimization device manager that includes electronic device description language (EDDL), the router DTM is configured to transfer data from the asset optimization device manager to the at least one communication DTM for communication with the plant asset.