A method comprising: storing, at a central server, a function definition including: (i) a trigger event to initiate the function; (ii) criteria to be evaluated; and (iii) a response definition; selecting, at the central server, for each of a plurality of edge devices capable of detecting the trigger event and in communication with the central server, a designated criteria evaluation device assigned to evaluate the criteria when the trigger event is detected at the edge device; selecting, at the central server, for each of the plurality of edge devices capable of detecting the trigger event and in communication with the central server, a designated responding device assigned to generate the response when the criteria are satisfied; and sending instructions to the edge device, the designated criteria evaluation device, and the designated responding device to enable execution of the function when the edge device detects the trigger event.