The transmission systems of tomorrow must incorporate advanced hardware and software technologies to increase safe utilization of existing facilities to increase reliable long-distance power transfer. However, while hardware technologies can provide the muscle for improved transmission system capabilities, software technologies are also needed to provide the intelligence to use these hardware technologies safely, securely, and effectively. To prevent system failures, future transmission systems must incorporate a combination of advanced hardware and software technologies to increase the safe utilization of existing facilities to increase reliable long-distance power transfer. Improvements are also needed in system-wide monitoring and distributed computer-based control to determine and react to system conditions quickly. Technologies such as these can protect the grid not only against traditional threats to reliability (such as storms and other natural events), but also against deliberate disruptions. Employing robust transmission controllers effectively requires a close development relationship between power electronics engineers and computer scientists such that the hardware development, algorithm development, system assessment, and software development are coordinated to ensure optimal performance. This paper describes these activities at the University of Missouri--Rolla's FACTS Interaction Laboratory.