A method for the distributed processing of process data in a local bus, wherein the local bus has a local bus master and at least two data bus participants, and the method comprises: sending a data packet with process data from the local bus master via the local bus; receiving the data packet at a first data bus participant; pre-processing at least one item of process data using the first data bus participant; sending the data packet with the at least one item of pre-processed process data via the local bus to the second data bus participant using the first data bus participant; receiving the data packet with the at least one item of pre processed process data at the second data bus participant; and further processing the at least one item of pre-processed process data using the second data bus participant.