Abstract: A drive system and a method of operating such a system are specified. The drive system comprises at least two drive groups having a plurality of drive controllers of controlled drives. The drive controllers of a drive group are synchronized via a drive bus by means of a local synchronization clock, and the local synchronization clocks are made equal to a global synchronization clock via a drive data network connecting the drive control means. The plant-wide synchronization of the drives via a global signal enables a drive system to be equipped with a virtually arbitrary number of drives. As a result of the fact that the desired values are preferably likewise transmitted synchronously, based on the global synchronization clock, between the drive control means via the drive data network, it is also the case that no time errors occur during the desired value transmission. The invention is preferably used for rotary printing machines.