1. A computer-based database management system for configuring a plurality of field devices each having a configuration including at least one adjustable device configuration parameter, the system comprising: setting means for setting the adjustable device configuration parameter of one of the field devices to a first value at a first time and for setting the adjustable device configuration parameter of the one of the field devices to a second value at a second time; and a centralized database having a transaction memory accessible by multiple ones of the plurality of the field devices, said transaction memory responsive to the setting means for storing a plurality of transactions related to the multiple ones of the plurality of field devices in the order that the transactions were made, each transaction including a particular value to which a particular adjustable device configuration parameter is set and a corresponding time indication of a time when the particular adjustable device configuration parameter is set to the particular value, wherein the particular value and the corresponding time indication are stored in the transaction memory in response to a change in the particular adjustable device configuration parameter.