A system and appertaining method provide a user interface application whose design is optimally modular and can be simply serviced and expanded on, and offers and optimally "free" configuration in order to cover all types of system conditions. A GUI file comprising description of graphical elements and appertaining identifiers is used to permit field changes by non-software developers without rebuilding any software. A similar communications file comprising communications parameters is provided that permits linkage to the GUI file by utilizing identifiers in common with those of the graphical elements in the GUI file.