Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve data processing, and in particular, improve rule engines for data processing and improve processing auto-ID data. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a gateway layer between a auto-ID device layer and an auto-ID node layer for processing data. The gateway layer may incorporate a rule engine for processing data. In another embodiment, the present invention includes a rule processor where rules are activated and deactivated automatically to reduce system overhead. In another embodiment, the rule engine is composed of multiple services that can be omitted if they are not needed for the processing of a given rule set to reduce the footprint and resource consumption of the rule engine.