A system and method synchronize operations of a plurality of devices via messages over a communication network. A plurality of devices are communicatively coupled via a communication network, and the devices have their local clocks synchronized to a high degree of precision a technique, such as IEEE 1588, for synchronizing their local clocks. Event messages can be sent that include an identification of an event, as well as a timestamp that is based on the local clock of the sender. The recipient of an event message determines if it is configured to act on the identified event, and if so it takes its action based on the timestamp included in the event message. In certain embodiments, the events that are to trigger an action and/or the specific responsive actions to be taken for a given event are dynamically programmable for each device.