A welding system includes components equipped with digital communications circuitry for synchronization and coordination of tasks associated with the welding operation. The tasks may be initiated and terminated independently or in coordination based upon synchronization of this circuitry. Certain of the tasks may be performed by the components in an open-loop manner or in a closed-loop manner based upon feedback of welding parameters. Moreover, certain tasks may be independent of one another, or interdependent although carried out in parallel by the different system component.