A control system for a hot runner injection molding system includes a first injection molding machine controller that receives signals from injection molding machine sensors and a second hot runner apparatus controller that receives signals from hot runner apparatus sensors. A third controller that is remote from the injection molding machine controller and the hot runner apparatus controller receives data from the other controllers that is related to the signals from the aforementioned sensors and to transmit commands to the controllers that are related to the operation of the injection molding machine and the hot runner apparatus. The third controller can be linked to several first hot runner controllers and several second injection molding machine controllers. The first hot runner controllers can be provided by the same manufacturer or different manufacturers. The second injection molding machine controllers can be provided by the same manufacturer or different manufacturers.