There is provided a method of using a central computer system, which has a central relational database, systematically to refresh a distributed database that is distributed over a plurality of distributed computer systems and that includes distributed database fields that are for storing contingent values that are contingent on sporadic interactions between terminal computer systems and the distributed computer systems and that are affiliated with central database fields in the central relational database. The method includes recurrently, at receiving times, receiving contingent values of the distributed database fields from the distributed computer systems. The received contingent values are stored, in the central relational database, in succession with previously received and stored contingent values of the distributed database fields, so that, for each distributed computer system an associated series of successive contingent values is built. The method includes recurrently, at refreshing times and temporally independent of the receiving times, determining fresh initial distribution values for the distributed database fields, based on the successive contingent values for the distributed computer systems and based on required initial distribution conditions. The fresh initial distribution values are distributed to the distributed database fields of the distributed computer systems.