A method includes instructing a first sensing device to enter a first state, the first state comprising a first set of functions and behavior for the sensing device. The first sensing device is instructed to aggregate sensing data, the sensing data comprising measurements of the property of the surroundings of the first sensing device measured by the at least one sensor. Relevant data from the aggregated sensing data is stored on one of a memory of the first sensing device, a database of a central database and control system associated with the first sensing device, and a memory of a client device. It is determined that a first event has occurred based on the aggregated sensing data, and responsive to the determining that the first event has occurred, the first sensing device is instructed to enter a second state.