An integrated circuit with an Alert Standard Format management engine for ASF functionality. The integrated circuit includes a first bus interface logic for coupling to a first external bus, an Alert Standard Format management engine configured to receive ASF sensor data over the first external bus, and an indicator configured to indicate a master mode or a slave mode for the Alert Standard Format management engine. In the master mode, the Alert Standard Format management engine is further configured to actively poll for the ASF sensor data over the first external bus. In the slave mode, the Alert Standard Format management engine is not further configured to actively poll for the ASF sensor data over the first external bus.