A distributed dashboard system including related server side and communication related functionality is provided. The key is loosely defined metadata for input data coupled with the fact that metadata can be defined after the data is loaded to system. Only the part of metadata relevant to use of dashboard needs to be mapped. In current invention data can be loaded before “import file specification” is defined, and then meaning given in “point and click” fashion. Users can subscribe to different type of gauges (that make up the dashboard) to construct their own dashboard, mostly in a web based user interface, but also from the dashboard itself. In addition to gauges displaying information also input controls called levers are supported allowing users to input commands to the system that are processed by local device or server side system.