An integrated circuit, a client computer system, and a method for operating the integrated circuit in the client computer system. The integrated circuit includes a first bus interface logic for coupling to a first external bus, a microcontroller configured as an Alert Standard Format management engine, and a watchdog timer coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is further configured to receive Alert Standard Format sensor data over the first external bus. The watchdog timer is coupled to receive a reset input upon a predetermined change in a system state. The watchdog timer is further configured to provide an indication to the microcontroller in response to an expiration of the watchdog timer.