Import Patch Data for Windows (PMImport) is a process of downloading software update catalog files to the Notification Server. Found occasions when PMImport runs and updates the catalog files; previously deployed Software Update Policies had lost associations to the Software Bulletin / Updates as follows:
Working as designed: The Vendors may delete old/outdated Software Updates, which will be pulled from the catalog data, and the PMImport download then updates the Patch Tables and removing these obsolete Bulletins/Updates from the Symantec database. This results in the empty shell of a Software Update Policy having no Bulletin/Update resource associations.
ITMS 7.6.x / 8.0.x / 8.1.x.
ITMS - IT Management Suite
CAUTION: It is important to understand that the following process will force the bulletins retention; however, this behavior is different from the behavior offered by the original vendor and may cause different complications. Be certain to test deployment prior to production.
ITMS(Patch) 7.6.x / 8.0.x users
ITMS(Patch) 8.1 RU1 users:
SMP - Symantec Management Platform
RU - Release Update
HF - Hot Fix