1. A method of operating a distributed system, said method comprising: receiving action sequence data representing one or more recommended sequences of actions for a managed entity in said distributed system, wherein said managed entity runs on a computer; operating a first processor located on a first server to respond to an occurrence of an event in said distributed system by sending one or more action requests to said managed entity, each of said one or more action requests representing a request for said managed entity to carry out an action; operating a second processor located on a second server remote from the first server to respond to said occurrence of said event in said distributed system by sending one or more other action requests to said managed entity, each of said one or more other action requests representing a request for said managed entity to carry out an action; collecting a plurality of said action requests from said first and second processors, the plurality of action requests being such that the end-state of said managed entity depends upon the order in which the one or more action requests from the first processor are carried out relative to the one or more action requests from the second processor; generating, from said collection of action requests, a schedule of actions in accordance with said action sequence data; and operating said managed entity to perform actions in accordance with said schedule.