This seventh IFAC workshop on distributed control systems (DCCS) discusses the ideas of real-time synchronization and data consistency in industry, with emphasis on the Manufacturing Automation Protocol (MAP). The volume also debates the gulf between the computer scientist''s approach to language and the needs of the application programmer. In addition to treating relevant topics, each session has an introductory paper and a panel discussion, to give a complete picture of the progress and research in this computer field today.