data processing apparatus and systems, comprised of computer hardware and software, and data processors, for monitoring, checking and remotely controlling industrial processes and the processes of industrial furnaces for heat treating metallic workpieces; computer programs for the process technology of industrial furnaces for heat treating metallic workpieces; measuring and regulating apparatus for industrial furnaces comprised of thermometers, thermostats, thermocouples, oxygen sensors, gas detectors, gas meters, water meters, pressure gauges, flow meters, automatic and solenoid valves, electrical controllers, computers, computer operating programs, computer chips, printed circuit boards, and integrated circuits for heat treating metallic workpieces in industrial furnaces for carburizing, recarburizing, carbonitriding, hardening, tempering, annealing, gas nitriding, gas nitrocarburizing, salt bath treatments, hot quenching, in chamber furnaces, crucible furnaces, continuous-heating furnaces and vacuum furnaces

vacuum and atmospheric furnaces for heat treating of metallic workpieces; crucible furnaces, continuous heating furnaces and vacuum furnaces

developing data processing programs with respect to the process technology of industrial furnaces; namely, for recording and utilizing customer data, quantities, weights, materials, workpiece geometries, target limits of heat treatment, timing limits, furnace utilization, optimization of run-through, batch distribution,batch coding, batch sequencing, batch mixing and statistical evaluation