A system and method of controlling the operation of M2M devices in a communications network is provided. The M2M devices are configured to send messages to one or more application servers via the network. A device management system is used to receive via the network messages relating to the operation of any of the M2M devices, the communications network and the one or more application servers. The device management system uses one or more processors to monitor the operation of any of the network, the M2M devices and the one or more application servers using said messages, detect at least one predetermined operating condition based on said monitoring, and in response to said detection, communicate a request for one or more of said M2M devices to change communication pattern.