In accordance with one or more further embodiments, a method is disclosed for managing operation of a plurality of electronic devices for a user. Each of the devices includes a plurality of sensors configured to take sensor readings or measurements relating to an asset associated with the device and to wirelessly report the readings or measurements to a remote computer system. The method, which is performed by the remote computer system, includes the steps of: (a) receiving an instruction over a network from a computer device operated by the user to configure at least one of the plurality of devices such that at least one of the sensors of the at least one device is disabled; (b) remotely and in real-time configuring the at least one device in accordance with the instruction received in (a); (c) receiving readings or measurements from the devices wirelessly over a network; (d) reporting the readings or measurements received in (c) to the computer device operated by the user over a network; and (d) charging the user based on the configuration of the devices requested by the user.