"Systems and tools for automation" is a course that consists of two modules: PLC and SCADA (3 credits) and Smart sensors and fieldbus (6 credits). It is a course describing systems for industrial automation with a special attention to smart sensors and fieldbuses. It addresses the context of industrial automation at the field level, analyzing factory automation, process, intrinsic safety, with a focus on architectures based on field bus, wired and wireless. They addressed the main types of systems, PLC, DCS and SCADA, retracing the path that led from the fieldbuses to Real-Time Ethernet solutions and wireless technologies. Particular attention is given to real-time applications, with reference to the time synchronization, and networks for smart grid and smart metering, with a brief outline of the powerline technologies.